It has been a while
since I have done a Monday Listicles post or any post for that matter. Summer
was suddenly here and my usual writing
routine went out the window.
After reading some
fellow "Listiclers", I was inspired to dig out some photos and get back into the
game for this week’s topic "10 Photos of
Life with Kids”. The first thing I noticed…how on earth did we ever survive before digital!!
I came across some old
proofs (circa 1997 - Riley was 3) when we first started having family photos
taken. Long story short it was a fundraiser in preschool/elementary school
where you got a professional sitting and one 8x10 for $10. Of course they knew
you would not be able to refrain from buying at least 1 print of every photo right??
Even still…how could I say no?!?!
Weeeell…at the time of
our first ever family photo we were at the very beginning stages of Riley
World. It was a time when the word autism was only a word. It was a time though
when most everything was SOOOO-O-M-G exhausting!
We had tears almost before we got started. *sigh*
Ahhh yes...the ol' arch the back pose.
Looks can be deceiving...R was NOT happy...
He had progressed to the maniacal screaming at this point...
YES...I remember.
Let's move to the floor shall we?
At this point I remember telling G & J2 to just keep smiling,
smiling, smiling...just keep smiling (use your Dory voice here)
as I broke out into a sweat trying to keep R seated.
A: R was active so I had to make an adjustment to a vice new grip.
B: Shirt fully untucked but we would persevere.
Thankfully we got one photo where
everyone was "smiling".
As luck would have it the photographer was the same year after year. We chose to believe he remembered Riley's name because of his charming qualities. :) He did figure out how to get the best shots and 5 years later Riley had it down pat.
J1, J2 & Riley (circa 2002)
You are a master at keeping your face relaxed and happy looking when other parts of you (like the vice-like hands) are tense and working overtime. This made me giggle, looking at how all of you are smiling at the camera like nothing is happening with Riley. That's incredible that the same guy was there to take your photos each year. Much better photo in 2002!
ReplyDeleteHaaahaaa...I laughed too when I was looking through ALL the proofs. I always said R was the "wild card" so if he looked good we were buying it! :D
DeleteI think out of the almost 10 years we got our pics done it was the same guy. I think it was his company.
I love how you added the explanations to the vice grip photo. I too am impressed how you were able to keep your composure for those pics!
ReplyDeleteI conveniently left out that I usually needed a shower when we got home. ;P
DeleteI super love love this!
ReplyDeleteThanks Robbie! Glad to see you're back!! :D
DeleteYou are totally due for a new family photo. I must visit you up there soon!!!
ReplyDeleteYea!!!!!
DeleteI am amazed at your composure! mine are just brats! haha
ReplyDeletethey turn into such silly hams and you can't get a descent pic without someone being cross-eyed, tongue sticking out, bunny ears on someone...or what they call the Butt Shot. which is exactly what you think it is. oye.
But that last one: priceless.
Haaahaaa....that Butt Shot could come in handy in the teen years. Just sayin' *nudge, nudge, wink, wink*
DeleteThanks for sharing these! Definitely brought back memories for me. I think Nigel exhibited the exact same arch the back pose, complete with maniacal screaming. We even tried having a photographer come to our home, thinking the familiar surroundings would help, but no. *sigh* Thank goodness that didn't last forever, eh?
ReplyDeleteGot that right although it's hard to imagine it will EVER pass at the time. Right???
DeleteI am glad we share the same memories?!? :)
Love, love, love this! Thanks for sharing the 'grrr" behind the great family photos. Erin
ReplyDeleteClenching teeth to look like a smile is an art form that I have mastered well wouldn't ya say?!? ;P
Delete