Holiday Photo Fiasco 2008

Because we had so much fun last year, I decided to have Lily's portrait made again this year in honor of her second birthday and the coming holidays. Unfortunately, the girl didn't like posing for the camera any better this time. We had a dreadful time getting her to sit still, and well, you can forget about a smile. That is, except for one precious shot, the very first one that was taken.

And the winner is...



The rest ended up like this, with Lily looking pathetic and longing to go home.









After the photo shoot, we tried going to see Santa, which was another disaster. Lily not only did not squeal with delight to see the jolly old man this year, she was downright terrified. Hence, no cute-little-girl-on-Santa's-lap photos were to be had.

Not long after, Lily had a complete meltdown in the middle of the mall over a pair of black patent leather mary janes that Mom would not let her bring home (she had one pair at home already, but apparently there's no reasoning with a 2-year-old). Every attempt to calm her down only made her more upset, so I let her go, much to the amusement of passers-by.



Finally, a dry-eyed but still very sober Lily shared a soft pretzel and a lemonade with her mama.



Next year, I expect the girl to be all smiles for the camera. Her beloved brother Luke just got a job as a photographer at the same photo studio where Lily had her photos taken. Not only is Luke a very talented photographer, but Lily just adores her big brother. She can hardly hold back the smiles whenever he's around.

Pretty as a Picture

Look at our little Mona Lisa with that subtle smile! It amazes me that anyone--let alone perfect strangers--was able to get our little girl so relaxed in front of the camera. But here's the proof, in the form of this year's school portrait.




Here's the Lily I expected to see. The camera/flash assembly must have been a bit loud for Lily as she's grumpily trying to cover her ears in anticipation of the next shot.

Caption This!

It's been forever since we've posted an update, as someone has reminded me. Until I have a little more time to write, here are a few pictures to tide you over. I'll post more about each of them later, but in the meantime, I'm challenging all of you to come up with your own captions (feel free to post them in the comments). You know, kind of like the New Yorker. C'mon, it'll be fun!

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A Sunday Stroll

When you can't decide which bow to wear, wear them all. Then make spitty noises for the camera.



This is our block. She chose to hold brother Luke's hand for the start of the stroll. He's not disgruntled, just tired (he stayed up all night chatting online and playing games, but was still game for a stroll).



In the coffee shop. Checking out dad's brew. Believe me, you don't want this. Brother Luke snoozing in the background.



"Hey, wake up!"



He wakes up. She wants up.



At the park. You have no idea how hard it is to take a picture of a child swinging when you're using a digital camera, which has roughly a one second lag between when you hit the button and when the camera actually snaps. We must have tried a dozen times between the two of us, and got a lot of pictures of feet, heads, parents in strange contortions, and, once, a long-distance view of the other end of the park with no human being visible. Now I wish I'd saved all those.



This one looks pretty good. The swings usually are her first stop at the park. She can go for quite a while and appears to be lost in thought while she goes back and forth.



The jumpy thing probably has an official name, but it's just a platform attached to a couple of C-springs, and she gets a kick out of it.



"This way, mommy." Heading home. The beads were an impulse purchase by Amy, and she loves to wear them everywhere.



Walking home. When she's not blazing the trail, she likes to push the stroller.

That was Sunday. Monday's walk was similar in its course but couldn't have been more different in its outcome. At the coffee shop, we sat out back in the yard and she threw dust all over herself like Job in his misery, except she was in her glory. Then we took her past the park play-fountain (see video clip below) and she ran around yelling and getting soaked, but somehow no cleaner, till she looked like a mudskipper. Mommy's tolerance was worthy of sainthood.

Summertime, and the Livin' is Easy

It's been two glorious weeks since Mom's furlough officially began. Here's how we've been spending our time:


Lily and Mom took a day trip with Nana and Pop down to Philly to celebrate Cousin Grace's 3rd birthday. The girls had a great time together.


Also in town for the festivities (and also celebrating a birthday!) was Uncle Dave who got in some quality niece-time while waiting for brunch to be served at Rembrandt's.


As much as I hate to admit it (I'm not a fast food or chain restaurant fan), we have become regulars at Friendly's. It is by far Lily's favorite place to eat out. The free balloons and ice cream have nothing to do with her preference, I'm sure. Here is Lily, enjoying broccoli and french fries dipped in blue cheese dressing with her Weezie.


And while we're on the subject of Lily's gastronomical preferences, she recently decided that bratwurst simply could not be eaten without spicey mustard, and here she is, trying in vain to get the last of the mustard from the jar. It was so spicey that her eyes became red and teary from inhaling the fumes!


After finally giving up on the mustard, Lily shared some chocolate ice cream with Daddy. Yum!


Lily and Mom also took a day trip to Newtown to visit with Auntie Nikki and Uncle Scott, and Auntie Kimmy and Uncle Ron, and of course, Maddie! Here is Lily admiring Maddie's brand new necklace.


It was a hot day in Newtown and so the crew all went swimming. Maddie showed off her amazing swimming prowess, and we discovered that Lily loves being in the water. We think we see swimming lessons in the girl's very near future!


Lily's latest girlie obsession (besides shoes and clothes) is hair bows. She loves to wear them nearly every day and gets upset if they should happen to fall out while she's playing. Another obsession of late is the stairs. Lily has become quite proficient at climbing up and down all on her own and will sometimes make a whole afternoon's project out of the activity.


Lily has decided that Romeo is now, among other things, her travelling pillow. Such a patient cat.

Requisite Photos of Early Childhood, Part 2, in Which Lily Gets Her Sketti On

Part 1, in which Lily bares her cute little baby bottom, may be found here.

Playground Pics

Now that the weather has finally turned warm, Lily has discovered the pleasures of the playground at Musser Park. Her favorites are the slides and swings. Unfortunately, we couldn't get any photos of Lily on the swings. The playground was swarming with neighborhood children and the swings had constant swingers so that Lily was not able to get a turn. Next time, I promise!

Auntie Kim, You Asked For It...

Photos!

Lily and Mom and Dad were all home sick today with colds. A perfect opportunity for a photoshoot, don't ya think?

Here are some very random shots of Lily playing, and uh, stuff...


A girl and her bike.


Apparently big girls DO cry.


Romeo supervises the fun and frivolity.


Lily works on perfecting her sit-to-stand technique. Hey, that's hard work!


Lily's favorite accessory this season... her thumb!

Uncle Nate, This One's For You!

Until Our Return...

Mom and Lily are off to the beach tomorrow. We'll have lots of pictures and a nine-month update when we get back. Until then, here are a few photos of the girl to tide you over: