Tess & Genevieve

Dirty Dirty and a Birdie

2011-05-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

So one morning I walked outside and found Tess lying in a pile of dirt.

Greg had jackhammered out a bit of concrete and bought a couple yards of dirt to fill in the hole he made. So the dirt was piled in the driveway for a few days before he could get it all moved to the back.

She didn't make mud pies...she just wanted to lay in it. Yuck!

As I watched her lay there, I thought to myself...Is this same girl who sits on a towel at the beach and picks sand from her toes?

Then our neighbor pointed out a baby bird that had fallen from it's nest. Tess decided it looked hungry and had no problem feeding it.

She did go digging for worms in the dirt...but didn't find any. So she settled on feeding the bird flower petals.

Bad Hair Days

2011-04-26T14:28:00.000-07:00

I have a LOT of bad hair days when daddy is around.

I started acting afraid when I heard that Baby Reeves had cut Daddy's hair. I was afraid that now that his hair was easy to do, he'd cut mine next.

After all, Genevieve and Daddy's heads looked the same, I just kept telling mommy, "No cut mommy, no cut"

Mommy also started complaining about pics daddy would take of me on walks or at the park. So daddy decided to start encouraging me to wear hats so he wouldn't have to learn to do my hair.

I began to wear hats everywhere.

Good thing Oma made me a hat to go with every outfit...but Daddy didn't ever know which hat matched what I was wearing.

I started wearing anything on my head, thinking it would make Daddy happy.

I liked to wear my hoodie all the time too.

This is Daddy's best attempt at my hair. He just put a hair clip in. Oh boy! Perhaps someday he'll learn to brush it too.

Talk to you later,

Tessa

Jonas comes to visit

2011-04-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

Tess and Jonas are days apart in age. I remember looking out my maternity room window the day we were going to leave the hospital and seeing Becca and Nate walking in. Becca was out of the car and almost in the door as Nate grabbed stuff from the car and ran in after her.

Becca watched Tess last year when I worked 1/2 days and left school by 12 (ahh the good life!). So these two have spent quite a bit of time together in their past short little lives.

Check it out! HiLaRIOUs!!! We walked to Jonas' house to pick him up for a walk and Tess saw him about a block away and started running and saying "Jonas! Jonas!" Then Jonas saw Tess and started waving his hands in the air and running toward her saying "Tessa! Tessa!" Finally they met, and didn't know what to do. They both just stopped and looked at each other, finally they turned and ran together to Jonas' house. :)

We walked down Olive street to Smiley Park where Jonas said he was scared (yes, there were some big dogs there - dogs in training to be seeing-eye dogs)...so Tess held his hand. Then both kids saw birds and went chasing and screaming after them. :)

on the way to the Bowl

Jonas and Tess have sat through 2 ACA graduations together...they seemed to know where their spot was...cause they went right to it.

At the Lincoln Memorial... All Jonas wanted to do is throw grass into the fountains...and run of course!

Then we hit up Hogi Yogi (ogi ogi...as Tess says) for "gumball machines" filled with toys and drank a raspberry razzle fruit smoothie...which Jonas said was "too cold". hahaha...he said I could drink his. Good job Becca, he made the healthy choice and wanted his water instead!

Back at our house Jonas began a search for toys. Jonas gathered all the "boyish" items he could find. He made many piles. First he went looking for cars - sorry Jonas, Treur girls don't play with cars much, and if they do...they're pretty girly - notice the flowers on one of them.

Then he started looking for balls. You would think Treur girls would own a soccer ball!...we do! haha it was outside...and pink!

Then blocks...but they were in a basket...not a masculine way to store blocks...so Jonas dumped them out right away!

And then he found Tess' collection of Toy Story toys. Good thing she had quite a few Buzz Lightyears...'cause Jonas kept saying "to infinity and beyond!"

See you next time Jonas!

Later,

Tess & Genevieve

Sorry we gave you the back seat.

A long time comin.

2011-04-11T16:55:00.001-07:00

Tess started swinging on a big swing a couple months ago, but I came across this pic the other day and it made me smile. This was her first time...she looks so proud.
We also bought some chairs for the pool this summer. I brought the girls to Lowes to try them out. I think they'll work...not the color though - too crazy, even in the summer time...so perhaps green or blue. It was strange to try out pool chairs in coats, boots, & hats. Oh well.

Hi!

2010-07-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone.

Newport Beach

2010-07-01T16:38:00.000-07:00

I love my daddy, I love the ocean...but I DON'T like sand on my feet. I worked and worked at it, but there is no way to get all that yucky sand off my feet.

A Long Time Ago

2010-02-05T15:48:00.000-08:00

I saw Mrs. Jean Kimm at Panara with my Mom and Opa today. Uncle Paulie and cousin Noah were there too. She gave my mom a stern talking to about not helping me keep up my blog. So...this is for you Mrs. Kimm.

Here's a picture of me at an ACA football game. Gerald, my Korean brother, was about to play in the drum line and I was ready to clap and smile for him.

Here I am on a horsey that my neighbors Tom and Paula gave me. It used to belong to Tristan, their grandson, but he was done with it and let me ride it.

My cousin Eden and I get together from time to time. Who looks older to you? Me of course!

Thanks for reading my blog and I'm sorry my mom and I took an extended Sabbatical (isn't that a big word? I learned it from my Uncle Paulie. It means mom and I have been reading and learning a lot.)

Until next time,

Tessa

Distant Thoughts

2009-09-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

So my mommy took this picture of me. I can't remember what I was thinking about at the time. But I seem to be quite focused.
Later,
Tessa

On the move

2009-09-19T22:44:00.000-07:00

A little over a week later, I has this crawling thing down.

Later,
Tessa

Goofing off with Mommy

2009-09-19T22:26:00.000-07:00

So, Mommy thought I would crawl today... and I did...a little bit. Check me out. (This is a few days after my previous efforts.)

Later,
Tessa

On the move...kind of

2009-09-19T21:39:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I am trying my hardest...even though it doesn't seem like it.

Here is my first effort at some sort of locomotion:

Here I am 3 days later...

Later,
Tessa

We are Siamese if You Please

2009-08-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

Emmy invited us to go swimming at her house. Emmy shared her toys with me and showed me how to swim. She is a much better swimmer than I am. I had a fabulous time. And to top it all off, Emmy entertained me with singing. Her favorite? She had been watching Lady and the Tramp so she sang the mean kitty song.

Thanks Emmy (and her mommy and daddy),

Tessa

Chomp!

2009-08-06T23:31:00.000-07:00

I'm growing a tooth in my mouth. Mommy wanted everyone to see it so she tried to get a picture. I'm tricky...I didn't want to show it off yet. It needs more time to grow big.

Buggy

2009-08-06T23:25:00.000-07:00

This is the summer of wierd bugs. Ewwwwwwwww! Daddy likes to take pictures of them.

Yoga

2009-08-06T23:15:00.000-07:00

Mommy likes to do planks...so I decided to try some too.

Bottoms UP!

2009-08-06T23:06:00.000-07:00

Neither Mommy or Daddy was right. I did it just days after they said I should. I didn't want Daddy to get fat and eat all that cookie dough, and I didn't want Mommy to be right again. She's always right. But not this time. Check me out as I get up on my hands and knees!

Making Wagers

2009-07-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

So here's the deal. I've decided that rolling around on my back and tummy is getting a bit old. So I've decided to get my butt off the carpet and move. So Mommy and Daddy are making a wager and you are more than welcome to voice your thoughts too. Mommy asked Daddy when he thought I'd be able to....listen carefully...."stay on my hands and knees for 2 seconds without my tummy hitting the carpet".

Daddy guessed this Wednesday (July 22) , Mommy doesn't have faith in me and said Thursday, one day later than Daddy. Mommy said if Daddy is wrong that as his punishment for losing the wager, he has to eat 25 spoonfuls of chocolate chip cookie dough in 1 hour.

Daddy didn't really think that was a puninshment, so now he's telling me to wait until Thursday too, just so he can down a whole lot of cookie dough.

Hmmm, we'll see who is right. Daddy or Mommy.

No matter when I do it, I'll be on my way to crawling, and that's good, cause I am so tired of rolling around to get places. So check me out. I think I'm getting close.

Later, Tessa

Carrots!

2009-07-19T22:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I've been eating for almost 3 weeks now. Mommy kept feeding me this awful stuff she calls "cereal". Rice, barley, oatmeal. It's taken so long to get to the good stuff. I heard from my friends that veggies are absolutely delicious. This movie is my third day with carrots. I like them, but as you watch, notice that sometimes I thought Mommy shoved in a secretive spoonful of that yucky cereal to try and trick me into eating it. She never actually did it, but I kept checking the stuff she was spooning in. You'll see the look on my face.

So I've had carrots (yumm!), squash (icky!), and peas (Daddy's favorites. He promised me they'd be delicious, but Mommy was right, Yuck! Looks like Daddy gets all the peas in our house. I'll try them again some day Daddy...)

I also look forward to the day when my meal doesn't end up on my face. Hmmmm...

Later, Tessa

Laughin' in the Tub

2009-07-19T21:53:00.000-07:00

Mommy is soooo funny. (For modesty sake, Daddy only made a movie of my smile. Thank you Daddy.)

Yes, that's all it takes to get me giggling. I'm such an easy target...sigh.

Later, Tessa

Hangin' Out

2009-07-19T21:27:00.000-07:00

Auntie Lynn, Natalie, and Finn visited a while ago. Mommy and I were watching some movies the other day and found these classics.

In this first one...Finn kept ginning at me and saying stuff I didn't understand. So I decided to hold his hand...just watch.

Aunt Katie, Auntie Lynn, and Mommy thought it would be great to get a picture of some Verhoef cousins, The only cousins missing are Noah, Aaliyah, and Zoe...but they live WAY UP in Canada...so they couldn't come. I hope to see them soon. But as you watch the video below...let me apologize...I was such a dud that day...no spark, no smile, nothing to say. But Finn and Eden ham it up for the cameras. Natalie was such a good big cousin, she held me tight. Check us out.

Later, Tessa

My New Hat

2009-07-19T21:14:00.000-07:00

Auntie Lynn bought me a hat to keep my head from frying in the sun. Isn't it beautiful? Thanks Auntie Lynn! I love it....and the new pink shirt she bought me too. NJ and Finn picked out a swimming suit for me too...but I'm too modest to show it off. Mommy says she catch a "candid" of me sometime. Hmmmmm, I hope not. Thanks for everything Auntie Lynn, Uncle Kevin, Natalie, and Finn.

Later, Tessa

Treur Cousin Crash

2009-07-08T23:18:00.001-07:00

I also got to see cousins Robert and Scott ride their Razors. They're awesome at it. They went so fast. Both Robert and Scott love NASCAR (they live in Daytona Beach afterall - they even get a day off school...or is it a week...during the running of the Daytona 500- hmmmmmm), so they know all about speed. But with all that speed comes big crashes. Watch this one.

Did you hear Uncle Kevin say, "BE CAREFUL!", right before they crashed?

Later, Tessa

The Treur Reunion

2009-07-08T23:07:00.001-07:00

I just got back from Florida and the Treur Family Reunion. I had a fabulous time. Grandpa and Grandma got a hotel room for Daddy, Mommy, and me to stay at. Check it out! It rocked. I'll tell you all about it.

Later, Tessa

Treur Cousins!

2009-07-08T22:43:00.000-07:00

I also got to spend a lot of time with my cousins, Robert and Scott. Robert loved to make movies of me while we rode in the car. Watch these next two movies right in a row. Robert is on the right and Scott is on the left. While Robert is making the movie...Scott is telling a story about "one time". Just listen.

Later, Tessa

Cousins!

2009-06-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

Auntie Lynn and my cousins Natalie and Finn came to visit. Mommy caught us all on camera. Check us out.

Later, Tessa

Aliyah's Driver's Permit

2009-06-10T23:50:00.000-07:00

Let this be a lesson to all little kids. Don't loan out your stuff to your friends until they are more responsible...it might get broke.

Look what happens when I let Aliyah borrow my car!

She almost crashed it! Good thing she only has her driver's permit so that her daddy has to be in the car to keep her on the road.

No matter what...she's a better driver than me. Did you see, did you see? She was driving it all by herself (almost). I'm so jealous.

Later,

Tessa

Basketball

2009-06-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

Mr. Witvliet bought me a basketball hoop. He thought I should give other sports a chance. He said that just because my mommy and daddy love soccer...that doesn't mean I have to.

And I've got to tell you...as of now, I'm much better at basketball than I am at soccer.

Check me out.

Thank you Mr. Wit,

Tessa

Photo Opportunity

2009-06-07T22:25:00.000-07:00

Did I ever tell you that Mr. Leonard took pictures of me? He's a professional photographer. His camera was a lot bigger than my mommy's.

This is the picture where I pretended to eat that silly ladybug. I was just playing around...but the grown-ups thought is was funny.

You should see the rest of his pictures...and then call up Mr. Leonard to take pictures of you and your family. He's so nice. He'll make you look like rockstars...just like my mommy, daddy, and me.

Here's the link to his blog: Mark Leonard Imaging

Later,

Tessa

Daddy and Me

2009-06-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

Daddy took time off work to hang out with me. We had soooo much fun. Thank you Daddy.

Later,

Tessa

I Love Sleep

2009-05-23T21:51:00.001-07:00

I decided to try out a different room in the house.

Happy sleeping,

Tessa

Something New

2009-05-23T21:39:00.000-07:00

Bouncy, bouncy....

I love it.

Thanks mom and dad.

Later,

Tessa

Giggles

2009-05-17T20:57:00.000-07:00

I love my doggie Mieke. She makes me laugh. All she has to do is walk in the room and then I start to giggle.

Did you notice?....I was sitting all by myself in the first video! I don't do it often, but the video proves how talented I am. My daddy wants me juggling a soccer ball soon...but a baby like me has got to start at the very beginning.

Later,

Tessa

Secrets

2009-05-10T21:40:00.000-07:00

Listen carefully...I'll tell you a secret.

(Translation): "Mom got a new video recorder. Now she makes movies all the time and I am the movie star."

Let me tell you the story of her new recorder. It's called a FlipVideo camcorder...it records movies in HD! It is soooo tiny...the size of mom's cell phone. Last week mom, dad, and I were at the RCS Holland Festival. Every year, teachers are given money (by a mystery man) to spend at the live auction. After having her name drawn and "winning" the money, mom tried to go get a paddle with her number on it. But the lady (beautiful Shirley Byma) said mom didn't need one. So when the FlipVideo came up for bidding...mom waited...waited...waited...the bidding went $75, $100, $150, $200, and then stopped. And then there was lots of silence............................................................................... and mom knew now was the time. So since she didn't have a paddle with a number, she just stood on her chair and shouted $500!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And everybody stared at her....and giggled a little. It was all very, very exciting.

SOLD! to Rachel Treur for $500. Dad was so happy he held me high in the air and yelled YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!

So, yes, mom is happy.
And I'm a movie star.
Life is good.

Later,
Tessa

Vroom Vroom

2009-05-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

Check out my new car! It makes noises of kids laughing when I step on the gas peddle. The Collins family gave the car to me as a gift, but I'm not quite old enough to drive myself so dad and mom have to help for now. Thanks Collins family!

Toes

2009-04-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

What?...What?... Is that mom calling?

Oh well... she knows where to find me....

Back to playing with these toes.

Preachers....

2009-04-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

So while my mom and I were in Iowa a few weeks back, GreatGrandma was telling me that there are a LOT of preachers in our family. Uncle Paul, Grandpa, and soon Uncle Joel too...and that's just in my immediate family...then there's Great Uncles Bernie and Verlin. So I thought I'd find out what was so great about being a preacher. I thought I'd spend some time talking CRC issues with Uncle Paul and Grandpa. So Grandpa led us in an opening prayer...

...yep you guessed it.

Grandpa said he and Uncle Paul finished praying and started discussing women in office, then later noticed I had fallen asleep. But by the looks of this picture mom took...I think they're sleeping too. What do you think?

There's a Wocket in My Pocket

2009-04-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

My dad told me he saw a Wocket in my Pocket. So I jammed my hands in...

...it was so cozy, I fell asleep.

I never found the Wocket, and I'm still wondering where it went.

Learning to Read

2009-04-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

Iowa VanEe's

2009-04-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

I never told you that I flew on a plane! I never cried. I was told that most people hate flying on a plane with babies because they cry all the time. Everyone on the plane with me smiled and talked sweetly to me...I guess I'm sweet. :) My mom and I took a trip with Grandma and Grandpa Verhoef. We flew to Iowa to be a part of Great-Grandpa Verhoef's funeral.

These are pictures of Grandma's side of the family...the VanEe's.

Here is a picture of four generations of beautiful women. Great Grandma, Grandma, Mom, and Me.
Playing cards at Uncle Eric and Aunt Donna's is a tradition. Uncle Eric is known as the card shark of the family...Seven-Point Pitch and Rook are his favorites. I'll have to learn how to play some day. This picture is like Where's Waldo...can you find me?

This is me with Annika and Sophia (my second cousins, I think) gave me their crib. Mom had a picture of Annika and Sophia's parents but Mom said Jana would be upset if it was posted...it was not very becoming (whatever that means...I'm not old enough to understand those big words.)

I also hung out with many, many more VanEe's but I don't have any more pictures. I kept Mom quite busy during our trip to Iowa. But I'd like to give a shout out to all the other VanEe's I spent time with: Thank you for being so kind to me.

Fred and Deb let me stay at their house and bought a pack-n-play just for me...ok not really...they're almost grandparents, so they needed to buy one.

Great Grandma let me sleep in the crib that Grandma slept in.

Sheryl and Larry bought me a gift.

Tricia and Lance had their boys give me a tour around Fred's farm pond.

Paul and Jana cooked dinner for my mom and me.

Deb let her drive her car...but worried and worried about mom and me as we drove "all the way" to Paul and Jana's at night. She was so worried about us...she had Great Grandma call and check up on us. Paul told Great Grandma that we had left "hours ago", which caused her more worry, and then was scolded by Great Grandma when he admitted to "just kidding".

I should stop writing now...I'm beginning to be like by Grandpa Verhoef...who leaves messages on Mom and Dad phone that are 15 minutes long! Yes, he really does! Mom and Dad think it's funny.

My Week

2009-04-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

I'd like to take a minute and tell you about my week. My Mom went back to teach her fourth grade students. If you listen carefully I'll tell you what I did with Kirsten, Julie, and Grandpa. They took care of me this week. I had so much fun!

Mr. Schenkel's Backpack

2009-04-18T12:39:00.000-07:00

Who ever heard of putting a baby in a backpack?

Well, Mr. Schenkel let me ride in his. We stopped by his house this morning to see Aliyah and Mom walked home with me on her back...in a backpack. I LOVED IT! Thank you Mr. Schenkel, it was fun.

Sleep

2009-04-13T21:46:00.000-07:00

Have I told you that I've been sleeping all night long for months now?

I love my bed (and my pink horse)...even if my friends tell me it looks like a baby prison.

Thank you for my bed Boonstra Family (I guess we're actully related. My mom and Mrs. Boonstra are cousins...what does that make us?) Annika and Sophia, you must've had some great nights in this crib you've given me. I've only ever had pleasant dreams...it's funny though...for some reason I dream of elk, hunting, fishing, and beautiful old farm houses. The crib must still hold memories of it's original home in New Sharon, Iowa.

Last Friday Lunch with Grandpa and Mom (first and last lunch with Dad)

2009-04-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

So it's been a long time...I've grown up! Look! I can stand.

I let people know when I'm thirsty by staring at thier drink...and sticking out my tongue...

...sometimes I try staring harder at thier drink...

...even if I stare for hours...

...they never share. What a bummer!

It was great to hang out with Dad on my last Friday with Mom and Grandpa.

Visit to RCS

2009-03-11T20:00:00.000-07:00

So Mom and I stopped by RCS to deliver Jamba Juices to some teachers last week. We ran into lots of student friends...

But it was Jared who put me to sleep. He and his brother Garret said they'd watch me any time. That would be such a fun time!

We also ran into teacher friends. Mom says Becca looks ready for her own baby...she's was a natural.
Later,

Tessa

32?

2009-03-05T12:07:00.000-08:00

My mom's birthday is coming up so Grandpa took us all out to dinner.

After we ate, Uncle Joel tried to make me smile...I gave him a little one. I was playing hard to get.

What to do now?

2009-03-03T20:10:00.000-08:00

Now that my dad's soccer team is out of the playoffs I had to find other teams to watch. Redlands High School's boys and girls teams were still going strong, so I went to their games. Grandpa loves to watch soccer too, so he came along.

I did my best to distract Grandpa from watching the games, he was an easy target. But I couldn't seem to get dad's attention.

If you would come to soccer games, I would distract you too. The thing is, now both the RHS teams are out of playoffs too. So I'll have to find a different sport to watch...although...Mr. Wiers and his middle school RCS team are just starting their season, or I could watch Mr. Hartog umpire U of R games, or maybe I should go watch a drum line practice...is that what someone from Minnesota would do Mr. Leonard, eh?

Later,

Tessa

Follow Me

2009-03-01T17:33:00.001-08:00

Do I really only have 4 people following my blog? And one of them is my mom?!...how embarrassing!

Nobody follows me and no one comments...except Aliyah's parents. Thank you Aliyah for making them :)

I need more followers!

And more comments!

PLEASE!!!!!!!
Tessa

Busy Day - Part 3 (Survivor)

2009-03-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

Survivor Night!

After stopping to eat chicken nachos (chips on the side) at Qdoba on the way home from the soccer game...mom, dad, and I walked around the corner to Chris and Julie's to watch Survivor.

Chris has a HUGE tv! He forced me to watch the Lakers, I don't like the Lakers...dad says I have to be a Pistons fan and mom says I should like the Nuggets. Sorry Chris. But as long as I can sit by you, I'll watch whatever you want to watch.

Chris says Sierra is going to win Survivor this season because she's won back her tribe's confidence after her poor first impression. I believe the only reason he likes her is because she's a model...loook, his smile gives away his real motives....not too convincing is he?

Chris has helped me begin my modeling career by buying me the pink baby booties I've got on...mom calls them baby uggs.

Dad thinks "Coach" will win...ok not really...he loves to laugh at him though. Mom's money is on JT the cattle rancher. Who do you think will win Survivor this season? If you're not watching...you should...Thursdays at 8 ET/PT on CBS.

Leave a comment with your vote...I'll tally up the votes and get back to you,
Tessa

Busy Day - Part 2 (Soccer Game)

2009-02-28T11:40:00.000-08:00

We were off to the girls ACA soccer team. They had a quarter final match and dad wanted to go, so of course mom and I were up for it. We got there early. Aliyah and her dad arrived on "Schenkel Time". Aliyah's dad came carrying her and all her stuff. We all giggled as he asked if we liked his keychain.

Aliyah is so much more mature than I am...she can sit all by herself...

...and almost stand by herself. I'm so jealous.

It was so much fun to hang out with dad at a soccer game, usually he's coaching. But I also met new people. The twins (Gaby and Tori), Raquel, and Baby Reeves came to hang out with all of us.

Reeves and I spent time together. He has such strong arms!

I had a great time...mom and dad were there, as well as Aliyah and her dad, and I met new friends.

Busy Day - Part 1 (Fashion Show)

2009-02-27T22:56:00.000-08:00

I'm off to start an exciting day in my new clothes from Kirsten Collins. She loves Baby Gap clothes as much as I do. My natural beauty can shine through, I'm simply chic.

I think the pink shirt brings out my dimple.

Alright, I have a lot to do...gotta run.

Later,

Tessa

Sunday Afternoon

2009-02-22T22:25:00.001-08:00

So here's the truth about how dad and I spend Sunday afternoons.

Oh yeah, Mieke too.

Mom doesn't like naps...I think she's missing out. Dad and I can't wait 'til next Sunday!

Later,
Tessa

Hold On!

2009-02-22T20:24:00.000-08:00

I played with a toy by myself the other day...well...I hung on to some links. I've never held on to anything except big people's fingers before. Mom forced some links between my fingers and they just wouldn't fall out. I held them in my left hand...and it felt a little strange.

And then I tried the right hand...which seemed a little more natural.

I didn't try shaking them because I didn't want to break anything. So I just decided to hold on!

But just when I was getting good...my parents said it was time to put the toys away.

What a bummer!

Later,

Tessa

Lookin' Good

2009-02-22T20:08:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Madelyn Leonard, I looked good at Uncle Joel's birthday party. She loaned me these digs. Remember a couple posts ago...how I told you that mom lost the pictures of the party? I got spiffed up again and had a photo session so that you could see how good I can look. Check me out...I'm even wearing a belt.

Bath Time

2009-02-18T21:29:00.000-08:00

Look at what happens when my parents say "bath".

Every night, my parents give me a bath. I LOVE IT! The water is always just right. I just lay back and let them wash me all over.

These pictures are a bit revealing...I'm feeling a bit embarrassed right now.

After I'm clean, they wrap me up in a towel and blankets.

I always get upset when bath time ends.

But then I get to warm up again in my parent's arms. It feels so good to be clean.

Happy Birthday Uncle Joel!

2009-02-17T17:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we went out for lunch to celebrate Uncle Joel's birthday. Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Katie, mom, dad, and I all met at Elephant Bar. Uncle Joel loves to order the elephant shanks...oh sorry...the lamb shanks. :) I hear they're delicious!

My mom took pictures of the birthday lunch but can't find the pictures! What a bummer!...I got dressed up for the occasion...I even wore a belt! I looked GOOD, thanks to clothes from my friend Madelyn Leonard. I looked "Pretty in Peach". (Do you remember the 80's movie "Pretty in Pink"?) I'll dress up again in those clothes sometime and have mom take a picture of me again.

Later,

Tessa

"Fashion Show, Fashion Show, Fashion Show at Lunch"

2009-02-16T07:01:00.000-08:00

One of my dad's favorite TV shows is "The Office". I don't know if you watch it, but my parents watch reruns sometimes. Some of you may remember the episode where Pam does some online shopping. Her order is delivered to the office and Kelly is excited to see Pam try on her clothes and chants "Fashion show, fashion show, fashion show at lunch!" I'm taking inspiration from that and every so often you see pictures of me and the clothes I wear.

These digs came from my friend Aliyah and her mom and dad. Aliyah knows that I don't like to wear pink ALL the time. She understands that my complexion and dark locks of hair go with a rainbow of attire.

The first picture mom took of me caught me off-guard. As you can see, I wasn't quite ready.

The second time, mom said, "ready...one, two, three!" I don't know how to count yet, so I just stared at her. I didn't know I was supposed to smile on "three".

Then my heavy head started pulling me to the side. My big ol' head, I'll get it under control one of these days.

Finally, mom got a great shot of me. I have just that hint of a smile that makes you wonder what I'm thinking. World-class models perfect this at an early age.

I wanted to take one more picture to show you the beanie they got me too, it's one of my favorites. And it totally completes the outfit. But just as I put it on, my parents said it was time for bed. What a bummer. I'm sure this won't be the last time my parents and I disagree about clothes...or bedtime.

Thanks Aliyah!

Later,
Tessa

Out to Lunch

2009-02-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

Every Friday I get to eat lunch with Grandpa Verhoef. We've been to Olive Street Market, Qdoba, and Mi Tortilla. I usually sleep through lunch while mom eats and talks with Grandpa. But today Grandpa surprised mom and I with a special invite. Uncle Joel and Grandpa were going for a buisiness lunch at Panera Bread and asked if we wanted to come. Mom was super excited...she loves Panera (even though Aliyah's Dad hates it because Panera put his favorite donut shop out of business back in Boston).

I hung out with Grandpa first while everyone waited for their food.

Then he handed me off to my mom who is really good with eating with one hand...or so she thinks. She does spill on me from time to time. She uses me as a napkin. Her clothes never get dirty during meals because all the crumbs fall on me. Oh well, I don't mind...I love my mom. She'd do anything for me so I just try to make her happy when I can.

Uncle Joel finished his food first so he got to hold me the longest. I LOVE Uncle Joel.

He rocked me to sleep and held my hand. His hands are really big and stong. He could crush me with just one finger. I hear he broke my Dad's rib just by hugging him. Maybe someday he'll teach me that super-secret-hold so I can have the upper hand on Dad when we wrestle.

My favorite thing about lunch with Grandpa and Uncle Joel, besides spending time with them and hearing them talk a lot is this: MY MOM LET ME WEAR MY NEW SHOES! Dad's teacher friend, Mrs. Breckley gave them to me. They're Vans. They're so cool. Check me out.

Thanks Uncle Joel and Grandpa for such a fun time.

My First Swing

2009-02-08T19:01:00.000-08:00

I got a present from my friend Aliyah Schenkel. Her dad coaches a soccer team with my dad, and her mom works at the same school my mom works at. Aliyah and I may not truly know each other yet, but just the other day her mom said she had to be nice to me. Aliyah grew out of her swing so her parents gave it to me.

I have ridden in the swing twice. The first time, I didn't like it so much. I wasn't sure about it at first,

...and I can't hold my head up myself yet, so it kept falling to the side, ...but I gave my parents a reassuring smile to let them know that I would try to tough it out.

After this winning smile...I only lasted maybe 2 more minutes. And then I just had to get out of there. My heavy head was keeping me from enjoying myself. It was a bummer of a ride.

But, the second time in the swing was MUCH BETTER! During the ride I looked up.

I didn't know there were animals to look at. They're so cute. I love them...lions and tigers and bears...oh my! I stared at them the WHOLE time!

The thing is...they're kind of boring. They don't make any noises, or move, or anything. I fell asleep after 15 minutes.

Thank you Aliyah! I love the swing. I'm sure the rides just get better and better.

Until next time,

Tessa