Introducing...

Well, I have a major announcement to make.

I guess now is just a good a time as any...

I'm sure its been getting pretty obvious in the past few weeks and you were starting to wonder when I was going to say something.

Blogger, I need to indroduce you to the new addition to the Furlong family.

For now we are just calling him "Baby"...until Beau can really talk and understand what's going on...

What?

Oh.

OH!

Huh?

Am I wha?

*crickets chirping*

NO WAY!!!!

I'm talking about Beau's Baby! Haha! Beau's BFF. His Aunt Kathy gave him this stuffed dog/blanket when he was a newborn, but the past few weeks he has gotten really really attached to it. He tries to do everything with it and gets SO mad when you try and take Baby away from him. Beau sleeps with him every night and when he is tired he rubs Baby's ear under his nose. So for future blog references, when I say Baby...don't get excited. Like you just did.

Beau and Baby on Christmas...

P.S. Congrats Katie!

Silent Night

FINALLY. Tonight will officially mark the first night that Leo, Beau and I have just gotten to sit around and enjoy each other's company in what seems like weeks now. We have had Holiday Hoopla out the wazoo and frankly, excited to have a little down time here before New Years, er, in three days. Once 2009 rolls in I promise I will go back to my regular postings, too. Its one of my resolutions...hehe.

We had a wonderful Christmas. Everything takes on a whole new level with a little one. It was too much fun. Beau has just filled every day with so much joy, and Christmas was no exception.

Christmas morning posed with SOME of his presents.

His pjs said "Chillin' with my homies".

Regis, Kelly, and Beau playing with his new shopping cart. A non-girly shopping cart. A very very manly shopping cart.

Isn't this how it goes? All his new toys and all he wants to do is look out the window.

Beau opening gifts with Aunt Jackie.

Thank you to everyone who sent us cards and gifts, especially for Beau. He had a wonderful first Christmas, thanks to you guys. Well, you guys and Santa...I guess being good payed off, huh? He loved all his presents and told me to tell you so.

Speaking of Santa... I saw him driving down Roswell Road. Really...he was all decked out in his Christmas finest. Unfortunately this is the only shot I could get. Who knew Santa drove a dented champagne colored Camry with a sun roof? PS...he voted for Obama, if you were wondering.

Attention all mothers/grandmothers/anyone who likes pictures and/or books!! I ordered these books from Blurb.com for gifts for like a million people (or grandparents and great-grandparents). They turned out really nice. It takes a really long time to organize the book the way you want (because you have complete control over how you want things to look...and I am a total perfectionist...and I have hard time making decisions...and comitting....Ok, maybe it will be easier for you.) but is totally worth it. I got one for myself...too. Here are a couple pages. You might recognize some of the photos if you are a regular reader. If I don't post before...and I maybe/probably/most definitely won't... The Furlong's wish everyone a very happy and safe New Year! See you in the '09!

10 Months and No Time

The holiday blitz in now in full effect for the Furlong house. We are going here there and the other; festivating, wassailing, and celebrating. It seems like Beau and I are shopping every waking moment. I have presents to wrap and pies to bake. I have addressed, stamped, and personally licked a gazillion cards. And not to mention I still have yet to get ALL my Christmas decorations up. I feel like there is hardly time for anything...including blogging. You will have to excuse me, but with Christmas activities, family birthdays, GA Tech in the Peach Bowl (WOO HOO!), New Years, my birthday on January 2nd, and not to mention the day to day of managing a household and a 10 month old...well, you can see, I am busy.

BUT we did just turn 10 months. I know I say it every single month, but WOW, it goes fast. I am so excited about Beau's first Christmas. And thankful, because he has really been a constant reminder to me to focus on the meaning of Christmas. Not just the hustle and bustle, the cookie swaps, secret Santas, and gifts. But, the celebration of the most amazing gift ever given. A baby boy.

Here we are, trying to capture that special Christmas moment...

Um, reaching for the tree...Climbing out of the chair...Yeah, no...This will do, I guess. Just overlook the drooly, glossy, sheen.

HO HO HO

A Letter

Dear Daddy,

I just wanted to let you know that while you are in Tulsa, Mommy and I miss you very much. It has now been two entire days since you have been gone, and I think we have been coping pretty well. Sure, the dog and I have really been testing Mom...but she has only had a couple melt downs, which is pretty good for her, I think.

I mean, sure, for the past two mornings I have somehow majorly out-peed my diaper for the first time in MONTHS, but what can you do? You should see Mommy changing the crib sheets. Comical. She is sooo short and that mattress is sooo heavy. *sigh* Its times like these you should be glad I don't speak English. By the way, dad, I have decided that I am no longer going to eat my food, but I thought it would be much more beneficial if I just throw it everywhere. Mkay? Great. Yeah, even the foods last week I was gobbling up. I want nothing unless it comes straight from YOUR plate. Oh, and I don't' know if mom told you or not, but DON'T leave my sight. I'll scream. Nonstop. Don't even think about the bathroom. Don't.

Oh yeah, and did I mention yesterday morning the dog surprised mom with a turdlet in his bed. Yeah, she just picked up his blanket and it came rolling out. I don't think she was too happy about that, either. In fact, I think she was almost as mad at that as she was when we got home from voting today and Baxter had eaten and entire sleeve of Ritz crackers that mom had left on the counter after my snack.

And just because all the bugs decided to infest the house THESE couple of days, and mom hates bugs, that hasn't got her rattled at all. She is killing each one bravely, because let's face it, I can't.

No, Mom is handling things here like a champ. She only had a mild fit today when we were at Target and she couldn't find a lip gloss that doesn't have glitter in it. I mean, what grown woman shouldn't want their lips to look like a preschool art project? We also spent WAY to much time in the Christmas card aisle, but don't worry...I sure let her know. Oh, and we are down a paci because I chucked it somewhere between the baby food and the registers.

Well, I'm going to go to bed now. Mom is downstairs putting up the rest of the Christmas decorations drinking wine and singing carols all by herself (Ok, with Bill O'Reilly in the background). She sure misses you. And I do too.

Have a safe trip home.
We love you.

Beau

Ok...Here's the Deal

Furlongs... I posted all the good pictures from Chris and Aimee's wedding here and here.

There are still some I chose not to publicly display... You're welcome. Hehe.

So Thankful...

...for this.

I am one incredibly blessed, very thankful girl. I assure you, you will see one of these pictures in a Christmas card this year! Thank you Lori for getting some great ones of us.

So we feasted at my mom's house. This is what Beau's tray looked like before he got at it. We just let him go for it by himself. He loved it...and I think he actually got some in his mouth. The tray features my famous squash casserole, my newly famous green beans, and my lesser known mashed potatoes. My mom did a great job on the turkey made some killer crockpot macaroni and cheese. Memaw (as always) made amazing dressing and sweet potatoes. Lori ..um...she slid that cranberry sauce out of the can like a champ. Oh...and refilled my wine glass like the best of 'em.

(Not pictured: My world famous applebutter pumpkin pie)

My dad stuffing Beau with MORE pie.
Handsome boy.
This picture is so funny to me because Beau is the only one ready. My mom, Megan, Beau, Lindsey, Me, Lori, and Memaw. My camera caught the flash of another camera and turned out really bright...but it was so good of all the girls and Beau. I still love it.Me and Memaw.

We planned our matching outfits.Aunt Lori and Beau.

Just A Thought: 4

I actually like cooking. I don't do it that often because it gets Leo so worked up and excited he starts groping me. I just don't have the energy.

Chris and Aimee's Wedding: Part Deux

This is the sequel to the previous post...

These are a couple of the photos I took during the reception. I am a teeny bit mad at myself because they are light because I was taking some scenery pictures and had switched my camera to beach mode. It makes the light and water and sky more vivid... not so much when taking pictures of people. I guess that's what happens when you drink ( __ insert number here...any number) glasses of wine and operate machinery at the same time.

OK...So I'm cooking all day today. Yes, I can see you squinting at the screen now. I am cooking. Thanksgiving is my most absolute favorite holiday. Thinking about breaking out the maternity pants for one last use...

Can't wait.

Leo III and Nan

The cousins Beau and his GranddadBeau and his GrandparentsLeo Jr., Leo III, Beau, and Leo IV

And like I said in the last post...I have a TON more. So family, just let me know if you want me to email them and I will.

I'm off to the kitchen. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!