Current Events Around Your B*Day

My mom's cousin and professional photographer gave Steve and I some interesting advice when we were discussing the upcoming birth of Baby H; he told us we should take pictures of the "average" things in our life: what our house looks like, the cars we drive, our favorite foods *I might have made that one up* etc.  He explained that it would be even more interesting for Baby to be able to look back on life as it was when he or she entered the world, as well as for us to remember what it was like then, too.  He explained, "Everyone always has a million pictures of the baby, but not much of what the life surrounding baby was like."

Therefore, in addition to taking those pictures I want to catalog some of the events here.  I hope Baby H gets a kick out of reading this someday!

Our daily life:

• Bagle, our pug, is 10 years old and Koko, our Rhodesian Ridgeback/Boxer mix is 9
• Daddy Hauser drives a dark gray Rav4 and I drive a white Honda Accord
• I'm writing this from a first floor office that displays almost all of my collection of books
• I'm currently reading Something Blue by Emily Giffin because it's a brainless, relaxing read 
• Daddy and I love to watch (shamelessly): The Real Housewives of Orange County, Pregnant in Heels, and Top Chef on BravoTV as well as any home and garden show on HGTV
• The newest CDs I've been listening to lately are Adele's album 21 and a mix of Taylor Swift songs

Local/ national/ worldwide events:

• Current local weather temperatures are resulting in record-breaking highs: upper 90s this week alone
• PA Governor Corbett continues to push huge budget cuts to education resulting in many local school layoffs, thankfully not affecting me but sadly affecting a handful of close friends
• President Obama continues to create and push a controversial national health care plan
• Osama bin Laden was killed a few weeks ago in Pakistan

Entertainment:

• Teens and adults alike are eagerly anticipating the release of the last Harry Potter movie and the release of the first half of the last Twilight series movie, Breaking Dawn
• The Dave Matthews Band has taken a hiatus from straight touring during the summer for the first time in twenty years; however, caravan shows are popping up randomly at festivals throughout the summer months
• The Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks are currently battling for NBA Championship rights: the hot name within The Heat is Lebron James
• Lady Gaga is a controversial and often talked about musical icon said to mimic the legacy created by Madonna; her current single is titled "Born This Way" 

 I feel like I've created a bit of a time capsule within this entry!  Feel free to comment with other tid-bits that you think might be interesting to look back upon during the year of Baby H's birth. : )  

A Prayer for Baby H

Dear Baby H,

We are in the home stretch now... the official countdown from today is 12 days until your due date.  These 12 days have become even better since I made the somewhat difficult (at first) decision of having my doctor start my maternity leave a few days early.  Now, instead of working until your due date and praying I don't go into labor in front of any students, I'll be at home (still grading a bit) but feeling much more relaxed overall.  I think this decision is going to be best for me *and* you both!  I knew I was putting way too much stress into my body during these final days, and just don't want to do that to either of us before we embark on Our Big Day.

Speaking of Our Big Day, I'd like to just offer up a little prayer for us both.  Part of me feels bad that you are going to go into total shock as you leave your nice womby suite and hit the bright lights and cold air of this world!  I promise that I will be holding and soothing you as soon as I can, though, and when I'm not your daddy will, and when we're not, the nurses will be.  I'd like to pray that you make it through labor well, that my body is able to do its best for you- whether that means through natural labor or a C-section depending on your size (we've heard you're on the larger size...!)- and that I am able to stay focused and in one piece for you.  I have been practicing my guided imagery exercises *using a DMB concert as my happy place* and breathing techniques so that I can default to these healthy options when things get a bit rough.  On top of all of this, I think the sheer excitement of you and finding out who you are will also propel me forward!  I pray that this is true and that I am strong enough to keep going, with whatever and however this process happens.  I also pray that I will know for sure when this whole labor process starts- and not have to wait for your daddy to drive home to get me!  But now I'm just probably asking too much... : )

Everything is very surreal right now.  I can't believe we will meet each other soon.  I hope your first moments on this earth are blessed, preparing you for a beautiful life to come. 

Love,
Your Mom <3