Hands hands the magical fruit

Tay has liked her hands ever since she found them about 6 weeks ago, her liking has now turned to an obsession. I can't get her to stop sucking, gumming, and gnawing on her hands. I was trying to take some pictures of her without her hands in her mouth, but she would not leave her hands alone! Oh well...at least I one day I will look back on these and remember her love affair with her hands!Distraction was the only way I could get them out of her mouth...Tay is fascinated with her cousins...so we brought in the troops and got these cute pics!

Oh well, I still think she is the cutest thing ever. Even if her hands do cover her cute little grin!

A little Love a little late

Things have been crazy here in the Geertsen home. Zach has been working insane hours lately so I have been spending lots of time with my mom...which equals a lot of shopping!!! Along many of our shopping paths we have been to many a craft store. I think I have become inspired. I am not sure yet about what, but I have been looking a lot of blogs and stuff at craft stores and have plans to make a few wreaths that are to die for, as well as some head bands for the buggie (I have bought all the ones she has now). I will update you on my progress...I am really really trying, and I think I like my progress! Oh, and thanks for all those recipe ideas from everyone who commented, especially Katie! Melskitchencafe is an awesome website with some easy, yummy, yet different meals!

I have been taking pictures for so many people lately that I am so behind on editing my own pictures...here are some on Tay on Valentines day! I figure a little love is always ok, even if it is a little late!

Oh man...the buggie just woke up! I better go kiss those squishy cheeks!

Humble and Porter

Well to start I have been extremely humbled this week. From my last post you know how I have been feeling lately. I have been feeling really sorry for myself...until Monday. Many of you saw on the news that 2 snowmobilers were lost in the mountains. One of those men was one of my friend's husband. She kept updating facebook about the status of the search. My heart broke every time I thought about what she must be going through. It made me feel so incredibly selfish and ungrateful about I have been feeling. I mean can you possibly imagine having your husband and father of your child lost in the woods, in the middle of the night, during that awful storm that hit on Monday night. Not knowing if he was dead or alive and knowing that he did not have food or anything besides the clothes on their backs...eh, I was sick about it all day Monday and Tuesday. Its a miracle they were found. It has made me think about how great my life is...I have an incredible and handsome husband who works so hard just to make me happy. As well as the most perfect baby girl who I adore. We are all safe and healthy, what a blessing! So I will take my imperfections and stop complaining, although I am going to start trying to improve myself also!

Moving on...I recently upgraded from my canon rebel to a professional camera. I love it! I have been taking a lot more pictures lately too! I took some pictures of my nephew Porter the other day, don't you just love those squishy cheeks!

Inadequate...

This post is going to super negative and a poor me post, don’t get me wrong I know I am blessed and am so grateful for all that I have. I am just so frustrated by some of the feelings I have been having lately. Does it ever seem like everyone else does everything perfect? I have friends who have a perfectly spotless house all the time, they are always dressed cute and have make-up on all the time, they make gourmet meals for their families and actually enjoy cooking and baking, and to top it off they all appear to be “mother of the year” (I know that no one is perfect, but it sure feels that way to me).
Now I am not complaining that they are perfect, I am complaining because of my inadequacy. I feel like no matter how hard I try my house is always a mess…I seriously feel like I spend all day cleaning (only to be interrupted by the Buggie) and then at the end of the day I look around and feel like not an ounce of progress was made.

I rarely do my make-up and I wear my sweats all day, Zach works from 11am till midnight, so why? What’s the point? I do make an effort to get ready on the days he is home and on the weekends when we go out, but still even when I try I feel like my clothes are ugly and they just don’t fit right after having a baby and I feel like I am so out of touch with the latest styles, and the more I try the more frustrated I get!

Cooking…don’t even get me started on this. I hate cooking, I always have. I try to cook us meals but they are always easy. Like pancakes, tacos, even frozen lasagna or hamburger helper (I know gross, right?) I look for recipes and have no idea what half the ingredients are let alone where I buy them or how to use them (I am going to blame this one on my mom, she despises cooking also).

Now…what to do with all of this? I just feel like no matter how hard I try I am falling short of everything. I am not as good of a wife or mother as I should be, I don’t do everything I should for my calling at church, I don’t cook or clean well, I don’t have the fashion sense as I once did when I was single, I don’t do my make-up or hair everyday (but yes I do shower…most days!). My goal is to change some of this…now where do I start? Does anyone feel like they are just not measuring up? Any suggestions on how I can become better or how I can get out of this rut that I am in?

Tubby Time

Tay's favorite thing these days is her tubby time! She loves it, she thinks she is so funny. She will splash, splash, splash. She even has to "wind up" (you can see it in some of the pics below) she brings her legs to her belly and then shoots her legs down to make a big splash. However, if she splashes herself in the face she looks at me like "why did you do that". Oh man, she is starting to get so fun. She is able to grab things now and now loves to read book and shake her rattles. I can't believe next week she will be 4 months old. Oh how I love my little buggie!

Bouncin' Baby

Yesterday we decided to set up Taylee's bouncer thing that Santa brought her. It says 4+ months, but we decided to see if she liked it at 3 months. She is way to little for it so we had to stuff the seat part with blankets to help support her! This was her reaction...Wow...new toy...I think I could like this!Oh wow, I can even watch TV in this thing...I do think I like it! I love how her little fit are not even close to touching the ground!After a few minutes she decided she didn't like it so much...Oh well we'll try again later!

And today the little buggie boo is super happy! Man I love her. I just wanted to write a few things that I don't want to forget.Isn't it funny how nick names come about these are Tay's nicknames as of now...

Tay Tay

Tay Tay the wonder girl (Chayse's nickname for her)

Taylee Ranger (another one of Chayse's nickname for her)
Tay Wei

Tay Bug

Buggie

Buggie Boo

Sis, or little sis

and of course Baby girl

She has also been laughing so much. Some of the things she thinks are the funniest are looking in the mirror with mommy or daddy. Watching Bentley play fetch (win win for me because I make both "kids" happy when we play fetch). When you sing her favorite song and do arm actions with it. She also laughs and smiles when you kiss her belly and toes (or eat them as I do and make an annoying chomping sound)! Man, we love this little girl, it is crazy how different my life is after having a baby. Don't get me wrong there are days when it is hard and days that I feel super anxious because there are baby toys, swings, and now bouncers in the middle of the living room and no matter where you put them your house still looks messy! However, being a mom is the best thing ever and I try to savor every moment with her. Here are a few pictures I took of her today. What a cute little thing...

"like"

Hey everyone will you please help us? Taylee is in a cute baby contest and the winner gets a free family photo session that is 350 big ones. On FACEBOOK go to Jen Herem photography and like her page and then like Taylee's picture. She is #55 and this is the picture for you to "like"
I tried posting a link, but it won't work! So go do it...Thanks so much!