Swear Jar

I have a swearing problem. We both do. I have to admit, I do love a good swear. 

There are times when Shoot, Dang, Son of Bucket, Fetch and Heck just don't cut it.  In my life, it's most of the time.  Perhaps, it's the fact that I was raised in Utah county for the latter part of my adolescence (pun intended) and it just sounds so Utah, or it could be that I get a little satisfaction from giving the "brothers and sisters" the butt cringe when I curse at Wal-Mart.  Whatever the reason, there are two things I know: 

1. I don't want my kid to look like the one photographed above

2. I don't want our kid to sound like us

Therefore, the only thing I can come up with to fix this behavior is a friendly competition.  Isaac and I are usually in some form of a wager (which I almost always win.) And so begins our new Swear Jar.

This is how it will work; since it makes no cents (yes I meant to do that) to have us put money in a jar because we share money. We decided to have two jars and fill them with noodles for every swear that is uttered. Whoever fills the jar the fasted is the loser. The loser has to read a book of the winner's choice.

When I win, Isaac will read The Help. If, by some random act of Nature (God wouldn't let me lose) Isaac wins, I will have to read The Hobbit.

It's starts tomorrow and may the cleanest mouth win.

Nash is 4 Months Old!

Time is flying by so quickly. Every month goes by in the blink of an eye.
Nash is growing fast and is so much fun! I will admit that I think everything he does is amazing and I am certain there is no other child as smart and talented as him. Yep, this is one proud momma.
Here is this month's list of things I love:
1. He laughs at Tia
2. That handsome boy in the mirror always receives the shy smile
3. When he is tired he is such a cuddle bug
4. Giggles, giggles, giggles
5. He sucks his two middle fingers AKA the bowling ball grip, just like his momma did
6. Hoot Hoot is the only thing that can comfort him when he goes to sleep
7. He finally gets Peek-A-Boo
8. He's a shy flirt to the cute girls on the block.

Stats:
24.25 inches, 13 lbs

I'm Ok with It

I have been a mom for 3 and 1/2 months and a perfectionist for 26 years.
Two things that don't mix: Perfectionism and life after a child.
As much as I tried to cling to my old ways of life, it simply is no longer possible.  This is what I came up with; I am ok with it.
I am ok that we will probably never have enough money, time, or sleep, but we will always have an abundance of love.
I am ok that my dishes sit on a dirty sink with a half unloaded dishwasher for 4 days, because we have a delicious meal nearly every night and Isaac usually makes it and really what is sexier than a man who cooks?!
I am ok with my saggy, stretch marked, resembles a cat who has had too many litters belly, because it has grown the cutest, most precious baby and hopefully will hold a few more.
I am ok with going to bed at 9 PM and bailing on going out with friends because my baby needs to be in bed by 7:30.
I am ok that spending quality time with Baby Daddy is catching up on our DVR'd TV shows that we missed because we are just too busy to watch it when it's on.
I am ok with my new perfume of spit up and baby lotion, because it means I was snuggling Nash all day.

And most of all, I am ok with not being super mom and pretending I have everything under control, because who wants to be friends with a perfectionist anyway?

Nash rolls over!

Nash rolls over! Video courtesy of Grammy, you can also see it on my YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/isaacgerke. Isn't he cute?

Nash is 3 Months Old!

Hard to believe it's already been a quarter of a a year since Baby Nash joined our family.  He is the joy of our lives.
My accountant told me that he couldn't remember his life before his children were born and I asked how long he had been married before; 6 years!  I thought to myself, how can you forget the first 6 years you were married to someone?  Now, I can understand.  It seems strange that Nash has just recently become apart of our life.  It's as though life only began once he emerged into the world.
He is growing like a weed and everyday there is a new cute thing he does. So here is this month's list of things I love about this little guy:
1. He started to giggle! It started out just in his sleep, which was darling, but now he will giggle when we giggle.
2. He loves to smile at that super handsome boy in the mirror.
3. 8 PM Bedtime, that he made for himself. That's right folks, he made this time.
4. Getting a diaper change is the highlight of his day.
5. Sleeping preference: hand in cleavage.
6. He discovered his tongue.
7. Chubby leg rolls.

Nash's Baby Dedication

Today, we had Nash's baby dedication.
First off, he looked so dang cute.  It was a really special day for our little family.  I have thought about our baby's dedication long before we decided to start having kids.  It's a very important step as a couple, parents, and a family.
A baby dedication's purpose to is to honor and acknowledge that "our children are a trust from the Lord. Children are given in love from the Lord, always belong to Him and are to be nurtured in their love and knowledge of Him. For this reason we as parents dedicate ourselves to love and disciple our children to follow our Lord Jesus and dedicate our children to Him who has entrusted them to us."
We also commit to showing Nash a Godly marriage and providing him with a home full of love.  
These are two very tall orders, but just as we promised before loved ones and God that we would always love, honor and cherish one another; we promised to love, honor and cherish our new son and raise him in the ways of the Lord.

It was so wonderful to be surrounded by our family and friends and take this step to mature Nash's spirituality together.  We thank God every day for the blessing of this baby boy.

A Girl Has Needs

Before I became a parent I took very good care of myself. Regular hair appointments, pedicures, new clothes, nails, perfume, regular exercise.............you get the picture.

However, with the birth of my wonderful son, you could say that I let myself slip a little. In fact, I didn't wear a stitch of makeup until he was 6 weeks old.

Yesterday, I got a pedicure with my darling 10 month pregnant girlfriend. I left the nail salon with a glowing smile, coral pink toes, and perfectly manicured cuticles. It felt FABULOUS! I came home and put on some earrings. Then I thought "Why not?!" and I spritzed some of my favorite perfume, put on a nice blouse and for a moment was released from the world of spit up and dirty diapers. I felt like a woman W-O-M-A-N! Therefore, I have complied a list of what every girl needs, whether she is single, married, mom, or empty nester.

1. A pedicure in the summer time

2. A perfume that fits you so well, it doesn't really smell like perfume. (If you don't know what I am talking about, please head to the nearest Nordstrom and begin spritzing yourself with fragrance to find out what I mean.)

3. A blouse that makes you feel amazing, even if you still wear maternity pants.

4. An Ipod loaded with songs that makes you want to twirl about.

5. At least one pair of Fan-freaking-tastic earrings, or a bracelet or a necklace.

6. Mascara that makes your eyelashes look, at least, 3 times as long as they really are.

And last, but probably the most important, a place to walk into with your head held high and a sass in your step that says "Of course you can check me out. I am sexy, smart and incredible."

My place happened to be Wal-Mart because I was out of diapers, but hey I am pretty sure Trevor the Checker appreciated a beautiful woman at his checkstand.