Lydia Hope Hastings

Lydia Hope Hastings came into the world with a lot of open arms waiting for her.
The youngest of four daughters, Lydia is her sisters’ “new baby doll,” her mother, Kristina Hastings, said.
Born at 10:53 a.m. January 16 at Boone Hospital Center, Lydia weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces at birth.
Big sisters Kaitlyn, 9, Bethany, 7, and Allison, 6, all want to help with their new sister, Kristina said, adding that they’ve assisted with preparations and have even asked to learn how to do laundry to make things easier for their mom.
Outside of the family’s own excitement, the Hastings have also received congratulations from their church family. Lydia’s father, Jeff Hastings, is the pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Columbia.
Jeff and Kristina have always wanted a big family, though Jeff joked about being worried about having four weddings in the future and living in a “girls dormitory.”
Living arrangements have changed a little at the Hastings home. Kristina said oldest sister Kaitlyn is excited that she gets to room with baby Lydia, while Bethany and Allison get to move into the spare bedroom together.
“She likes to be held,” she said. “But that is probably because there are so many of us to hold her.”