Dmahan, whatever you log makes no difference to instrument currency.
If you are already not instrument current (6 approaches / hold /
tracking), logging an approach and time makes no difference - you need an IPC to
get your instrument privileges back (FAR 61.57 (d))
No; you quote the right para of 14 CFR but have missed the bit in underline below
d) Instrument proficiency check. Except as provided in paragraph (e)
of this section, a person who has failed to meet the instrument experience
requirements of paragraph (c) for more than six calendar months may
reestablish instrument currency only by completing an instrument proficiency
check
What this means is that once your currency lapses, you have 6 months in which you can regain currency flying the required approaches etc under VFR with a view-limiting device and a suitably qualified safety pilot (or under IFR with a CFII). It's only after 6 months of lapsed currency that you must take an IPC. Of course, an IPC can be used at any time to regain currency.