LOST: My Earrings and My Mind.

The third Christmas we were together (2003) Leo gave me a pair a diamond stud earrings. As I was opening the box, my heart was palpitating because I was sure it was an engagement ring. It was almost a relief to see two petite, classy, diamond stud earrings. Since that night I have worn those earrings everyday. If you think about it, as I did today, I have experienced quite a lot since then, all in my diamond studs... Leo graduated and we bought a house. I had them on the night Leo and I were engaged, and on our wedding day. I was wearing them the day I found out I was going to be a mom, and they were the lone piece of jewelry I was wearing when my sweet son came into this world.

I started thinking about all this today because this morning, I COULD NOT FIND THEM. Now, I have a habit of taking them off in random places and haphazardly leaving them lying around. For example, they have been in the kitchen window sill, on the desk, on Beau's dresser, by the bathroom sink, on the night stand....hotel rooms, hospital rooms, dressing rooms... But they are always there. Until now.

Our bedroom and bathroom are a dusty mess because we have been redoing our bathroom. Everything is out of place. I was 99% sure I remembered putting them on my nightstand last night before I went to bed. I searched the table, under the lamp and the knick knacks, and down on the carpet. After a while I came to terms with the fact that ,this time, my carelessness finally caught up with me. I got so mad at myself, especially as all these thoughts and memories were rushing through my head. They were gone, though, and I had to comfort myself with thoughts of upgrades. I dreaded telling Leo and spent the day running dialogue in my head how I was going to break the news. I knew he wouldn't be mad... just disappointed at my carelessness...and I was sure he had a "responsibility" lecture stored up just for this occasion.

As we were sitting talking, spending the evening together, I finally mustered up the courage to tell him I had lost the earrings he gave me five years ago. I cringed...and waited for it...

"Oh, I put them in your drawer this morning."

Oh. Nevermind.

Dirty Laundry

Ok, so Beau is at this stage where he is past being an infant, but he's not big enough yet to be considered a toddler . I have found this "in between" stage to bring some new obstacles to the Furlong household. For example, when I used to get ready in the morning I could strap Beau in his baby seat and he would happily sit and watch me. Then, he outgrew said seat, so my next step was plop him on the floor on a blanket and let him play. He was immobile so I didn't have to pay 100% attention and could brush my teeth and put on my make up without worrying he was going to strangle himself with the baby monitor cord. He would stay where I put him. NOW, he IS mobile (although unconventional with what I call his "walrus" crawl, using his elbows to pull himself while doing a dolphin kick. Elbows forward, drag, kick; repeat). So, I can't very well avert my eyes for A MOMENT. He is into everything. If there a shoe on the floor on the other side of the room, he is at it and it is in his mouth in no time flat. He is pulling on drawers and showing lots of interest in the trash can. He is not old enough to reason with... so what can you do?

Now, before you call child services on me, let me say he really enjoys this. I stick him in the laundry basket with a blanket, and of course his favorite toy, the remote control. He is contained and entertained for the few minutes it takes me to get myself together in the morning... At least until he learns how to tip himself over...

Precious Moments

One of my favorite times of the day is when Beau wakes up from his naps. (It's probably a close second to when he goes DOWN for a nap). He usually just starts talking to let me know that he is awake and ready to get up. When I go in I love seeing him peering over the bumper waiting for me. I just want to take these moments, put them in a blender and drink them up.

( Y A W N )

We have been renovating our master bathroom so I have sort of been put out of the house, thus the non-activity of blog updates. The project that originally was supposed to last a week, of course, has stretched out now for 2 and a half...and counting. It is going to look good, though. I can't wait to post before and afters.


Anyway, our Labor Day weekend was spent catching up on housework (fun, huh?), and going to a friends wedding. We are officially boring.

We did have a good time at the Yeagers' wedding, and it was nice to get prettied up and have an "adult night" with a bunch of friends. I particularly enjoyed it because I got to buy a new dress since all the ones I own are now too big for me! Yay! Double yay since I purchased this cute little number at TJ Maxx off the clearance rack! Below is a shot of Leo and me at the reception.

One thing I absolutely loved and thought was a great idea was that they had a photo booth. You took your pictures and then it printed out two strips... you got to keep one and then you glued the other in a book and wrote a message to the bride and groom! Cute! Wish I had thought of it. Anyway, Leo and I hit it up...and then me with Lindsay M. I'm thinking of using a couple of them for my new headshots for upcoming auditions... (please note the sarcasm)
Anywho...on to what you really care about...Beau. Ya'll he is THIS close to crawling. He is on his hands and knees rocking back and forth, however, it usually ends up in a face plant to the carpet. Poor guy. He wants to move so badly. Sometimes he'll pull his knees up underneath him and lunge forward and slide on his face inch worm style. Ouch. I see many carpet burns in his future. He can say "mama" but it usually comes when he is screaming, or disgruntled, or looking at the dog... I don't take any of those circumstances to heart...hehe. He is amazingly dexterous with his pacifier and now can put in his mouth, spin it, hold it and chew on it, turn it around, throw it, etc... I don't know if its on purpose or not but he recently prefers his paci upside down. Its pretty funny. We are still sporting the toothless look, but what we lack in the dental department we are making up for in hair growth...finally!

I was there too!

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a million and three times. "Oh my gosh, he looks JUST LIKE LEO." Or "That baby is all his daddy." And yes, Beau does look A LOT like Leo. But friends, I was there too...and I am committed to proving that I contributed to the awesome cuteness that is my son. Please consider the following evidence:

Heather circa 1981
Exhibit A

Gotta love the early 80's. Yes I'm in a completely dangerous walker with no breaks and lots of sharp metal pieces. But Beau look-a-like? Yes?

Exhibit B

Please excuse my Georgia T shirt. Being married to a Tech grad and former Tech football player, publicly posting a picture of myself in a bulldog T shirt I am treading dangerous waters. But I think Beau looks like me. (Isn't my mom a hot tamale?)

So I posted it.

So there.

Go Jackets.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, thank you for considering the evidence I have provided you with. I've pled my case. And even though Beau IS a Leo mini-me, maybe a teensy weensy bit of his cuteness came from his mom. At least his chunky thighs.

Afternoon Chats

Beau and I were discussing the economy, healthcare and global warming. Oh, and what he thought of the new season of "The Hills".

Uh Oh...

Look what I found floating around YouTube. Yep, that's my Hercules husband squatting 575 lbs at a weightlifting meet. He has another one coming up in the next couple weeks...will keep ya'll updated.

ps. Watch for the trip at the end.

Rub A Dub Dub

Inspired by Michael Phelps, Beau decides to hit the water. He doesn't like to talk about it, but he is currently the US record holder in the 1 meter bathtub.

Beau V. Carrots. The Rematch.

It may look like I just plopped the container of carrots on Beau's tray and let him go to town. Nope. I was feeding him. Beau has gotten to where he likes to be...lets say..."more involved" in mealtime. I carefully guide the spoon to his mouth, and in the meantime he swats the spoon, grabs the spoon, blows bubbles on the spoon, smears around what's dripped, chews on his fingers and proceeds to spread fruit and veggies to his hair, behind his ears and in his neck folds. He gets his table manners from his daddy I guess.

We had an impromptu nude photo shoot today in our bedroom....hehe. Many of them are similar, but I love them all so I wanted to share them. I didn't even pose him...I plopped him on the bed and he turned all baby model on me. In the ones he is not looking at the camera he is all wrapped up in the Olympics on the TV. As I have been for the past week. Seriously, its almost ridiculous how many hours I have logged cheering for USA. Ah, gotta love the Games. Enjoy.