Family Photo Fiasco:A Letter to my Two-Year-Old

Dearest Son,

When you grow up and look back upon your youth and wonder why there are no photos of our family from the time you were two until you were four, I just want you to know that the reason has a lot to do with your conduct yesterday.

I had been planning for our family photos for at least a month. Coordinating clothing, getting everyone haircuts, scheduling with our awesome photographer... I took care of it all. I even took time to tell you exactly what would happen so you wouldn't be surprised.

We rehearsed giving a "good smile" for the camera, and not that awful grimace you have been giving me lately. We even went out and took some pictures with a camera just like the one that would be used. You were doing so well, and I had high hopes that we would have a fun day out taking photos as a family. I guess I must have completely blocked out our last family photo experience from my brain.

The big day arrived and we all got ready and drove to the spot I had chosen. Immediately you decided that you wanted NOTHING to do with the entire business. You did not want to sit next to me, or on my lap. You didn't even want to stand next to us. The whole thing was driving daddy and me up the wall. No wait... that was you.

When we finally talked you into sitting with us and letting my friend Cari take some photographs, we didn't really appreciate the faces that you were making. You may think that I want to remember you like this:











But really I don't. And these are the photos that we managed to get when you actually consented to LOOK at the camera instead of something else.












So we tried to move to another spot and spend some time playing in the grass and leaves. We hoped it would help, but you had already made up your little mind. We got a whole bunch of "No no no no no!", which started to get on our nerves.

The final straw occurred when Daddy had to haul you off to discipline you, which resulted in him stepping on his glasses and completely squashing them flat and scratching the lenses. Needless to say the photo shoot was concluded shortly after that.

I guess it's a good thing that Mommy and Pseudo-Aunt Cari know how to use Photoshop. That way we can take the one or two good photos of your cute little noggin and put them on a photo where the rest of us look nice. So we can create our own beautiful photo memory to replace the actual events of yesterday.

Otherwise our family photos would end up looking like this for awhile.

Hey, don't you guys have two boys?

So if you don't see any photos of our family from now until 2011 it is because we were waiting to take them until you and your brother are both over the terrible twos... and that's assuming that you don't get any more siblings!

We love you, and hope that you return to your adorable self soon.

Love,
Mommy