Mr. Personality

It is so hard to get clear pictures of Beau these days. He won't sit still for a second. And that stinks for you because his facial expressions keep me laughing all day. Well, that, and watching the train wreck that is the "TYRA" show.

25 Random Things:

I am a sucker for these things. Mostly I like reading other people's, but its only fair to participate... It's been circulating Facebook like pinkeye in daycare...






25 Random things about Heather:



1. I love writing things down. I have notes to myself all over the house. I LOVE good pens and paper. I make lists obsessively, and look forward to writing in my calendar.


2. I love musicals. 99% of my music collection is showtunes. I'm a nerd.


3. Some people can't walk and chew gum... Well, I can't run and NOT chew gum. I have to have a piece of Trident original everytime I work out.


4. I have an unhealthy relationship with Hobby Lobby. Everytime I go in there I am inspired to craft, knit, needlepoint, paint, weld, sew, decopage, etc...


5. I've rubbed my ears ever since I was little.


6. I have awful road rage. I'm ashamed of the foul things that spew from my mouth while behind the wheel. Otherwise I am the most non-confrontational person in the world. I cried one time at O'Charleys because Leo made me complain about my salad.


7. I am terrified of things that live in water. Fish, octopus, jelly fish, crab, WHATEVER.


8. I don't really "do" nature. I hate camping, hiking, climbing, bugs, dirt, sweat, etc... I do appreciate it, however...I'll admire it from this amazing picture window, in the air conditioning, thanks.


9. I am competitive about EVERYTHING. I have to bigger, better, funnier.


10. I've never broken a bone, and until last year, never even had a cavity.


11. I'm a texture person. I can't eat grits, jello, pudding, oysters, anything that is mushy or has to be swished around in your mouth.


12. I have such a guilty conscience...I can't even press "yes" to the "Do you qualify for a senior discount?" question in the self-checkout lane at Kroger... I just feel so bad...

13. My husband makes me laugh harder than anyone else. And he's handsome to boot.


14. I squeegee the shower doors when I'm done in the shower.


15. I don't cook. I want to. I like to. It's just that it takes me four hours to make one of Rachel Ray's so-called "30 minute meals".


16. I really want a tattoo but will never get one because I have a hard time committing to my decisions.


17. I love being a mom with every pore in my body. Let's face it, I was worried. I never even really liked kids... Beau has made me a better person.


18. I am early for everything. I know exactly how long it will take to get somewhere and I start to get really anxious if I start falling behind my "schedule".


19. I'm a perfectionist and major control freak. In school I was always the one in the group who did the entire project by themselves. I felt like no one could do as good a job as me... and they wouldn't have.


20. A man with a prominent adam's apple gives me the willies. You know, a really pointy one that moves a lot...


21. I hate talking on the phone. Boarderline phobia. Please email or text me.


22. I act things out in the mirror. I'm talking everyday situations (like going to the bank) and scenes from shows/movies/my mind...


23. 95% of what I own is second hand.


24. If I concentrate really hard on what time I have to get up in the morning, I'll wake up at that time without using an alarm clock. It's a gift.


25. I'm jealous of people who enjoy living a healthy lifestyle. I want to... but hot wings and beer...

A convo with my better half

The following is based on a true event. After it happened I made a mental note to tuck it away for blog post, and then, well, my note went missing. I had a "eureka" moment today when I remembered this little gem. The names and locations have NOT been changed...

The time: A random day in December 2008
The place: the living room of the Furlong estate
.........................................................................................
Heather: (sitting on the couch, in her pjs, hair struggled to put in a ponytail, flipping through a magazine) I think I'm going to get my haircut... What do you think about that?

Leo: Fine, just don't spend a lot of money.

Heather: Hmm...What do you think about bangs?

Leo: What are bangs?

Heather: Or maybe I should try to grow my hair out? I can't decide.

-beat-

Leo: Oh! I know! You should cut your hair, like, a little longer than chin length. Yeah! I would like that.

-beat-

Heather: LEO. MY HAIR IS CURRENTLY A LITTLE LONGER THAN CHIN LENGTH.

Leo: Nuh uh. Let me see.

(Heather takes her pony tail out.)

Heather: SEE?

Leo: Oh, it is. I like it.

Eureka!

After hours and countless photos, this is the best shot I could get of that sneaky little tooth.

What do you mean you can't see it?

Look really hard. It's that tiny white speck in the middle, under the glare of light off of the spit bubble.

Hmm....

I'll keep trying.

31 days and counting...

One month shy of a year. Geez.

Just for your information, I am in full planning mode for the biggest, baddest, one year old party ever. No more details, it is highly classified information.

Anywho, here is the 11 month run-down for my little cherub angel baby boy:

First of all, we are walking everywhere! This boy is walking fool. Once he figured out how to put one foot in front of the other there was no looking back. Lord, can we please hold off a little bit on the climbing and running...Thanks.

Up-to-date tooth count: 1/4 of one tooth. Seriously? How long does it take for a tooth to come through? This guy has been dragging out his grand entrance for over two weeks now. And making everyone in the house cranky.

Beau can say "mama", "dada", "yay", and "yum yum" at the appropriate times. Everything else is in a language I call "Beau-nese". Although if anyone ever asks him to say "mama" he promptly retorts with a firm "dada". Ungrateful little...um, I mean...isn't that so cute?

He is beginning to show that he is understanding some of the things we say. For example we will be playing on the floor and I'll say, "Beau, where is your ball?" and he will go get his ball. However, for some reason I think Beau mistakes the work "no" with "go ahead and do that, and turn around and laugh at your mother, she thinks this is a fun game". Yeah, we're working on that.

Beau has always been a great eater....UNTIL NOW. Ugh. I know this is something a lot of parents and toddlers go through, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. Things he will eat one day, he won't another. If he is in the mood for a particular something, he gets mad when you don't deliver (which is pretty tough when they can't tell you what they want!). I mean, am I supposed to let the child live off of Goldfish for the next year? There are many high-chair melt downs, and Beau gets upset too.

Which brings me to my next point... the tantrums. Granted, they are few and far between, but VERY dramatic. The "how dare you don't let me play with that phone, I'm going to throw myself onto the floor in a weeping mess because my life is over" tantrum. I'm so proud, and currently on speakerphone with his agent. Just kidding people! I'm not going to be a crazy stage mom...not counting the photo I submitted to Regis and Kelly's cutest baby search.

Even though things are starting to get a little more challenging since Beau has discovered his free will, his tastes, and well, his voice...I love that baby boy more and more everyday. He fills my heart with joy and makes me laugh like no one else can. And even though I got a little misty watching old videos of when he was a rolly polly baby, I can't help but be excited for what this next year has in store for us.

ENVY

So while I was trying to get a picture of that tooth today, (a task on par with photographing Big Foot, I imagine) I realized something. I'm jealous. Ok?

Just look at these baby eyelashes. Au naturale. Estee Lauder is rolling in her grave.

These boots were made for walkin'

Ladies and Gentlemen...



Drum roll please...


We have a walker!

Now, don't get me wrong. We have been in the PROCESS of walking for a couple months now. Beau would cruise along the sofa, stop and r e a c h for the ottoman to hang on to. Just recently he started trying to take a few steps on his own by letting go, lifting a foot or two, losing his balance, and falling down. Then it got to where he got really good with his left foot, but still was a bit uneasy with his right foot, for some reason. This resulted in somewhat of a pivot circle. Poor thing. Didn't go anywhere. Just 'round and 'round.


But last night! Last night Leo and I were both on the floor playing with Beau. He stood up, zeroed in on his play table across the room, and went for it. One step after the other. All the way across the floor. Leo and I were just sitting there with our jaws hanging open. I wish I had a video. It truly was one of those moments that I hope stays ingrained in my memory forever.

I took this video today. Its the best walking footage that I could get. But I love it when he gets to the remote control on the floor, he realizes he needs stop for a minute, regroup, and keeps right on going. Clutching Baby the entire time.

It's not my fault!

I promise! Our internet has been down for the last couple days with no real explanation. I have at least three entries in the works and will work my little fingers to the bone to get them finished. Hang in there with me.

Incarceration

I finally got around to putting up my Christmas decorations this morning. Beau and Baby, meanwhile, were doing some hard time in the living room. The crime, you ask? Being too stinking cute. I mean, have you ever seen a better mug shot?

Big News in the Dental Department!

Well, we waited 10 months, 2 weeks and 2 days...but Blogger, by gosh, we ended 2008 with the sight of a tooth! Leo was giving Beau some of his juice from a glass and heard a *tink*. I shoved my finger in there so fast and sure enough...a tiny white point poking through a sea of gummies.

Yes Internet, there is a tooth fairy.

Happy New Year!