Taking pictures of a toddler

It's very hard to get a good photograph of an active 19-month-old. Correct that - it's downright impossible. We had planned to take the kids to a professional studio to let them work their magic for Christmas pictures this year. However, Elizabeth's fall in the driveway and resultant Rudolph scab made us put that idea off until it was too late. Plus the vivid horrific memories of trying to take Elizabeth and Brooke to get their pictures made this summer were somewhat disheartening. So, we decided to take our own pictures this year. We figured Elizabeth might do better in a more comfortable environment. Well....that idea didn't really work that well. We coaxed, pleaded and cajoled....we tried to distract, force, or surprise....but for some reason, Elizabeth is convinced life is meant to be experienced in constant motion, and sitting down for a picture is not part of her plan. Finally, David managed to get this one:



Given the circumstances, we didn't think it was half bad. If I ever get around to writing a Christmas letter, you guys might actually get a copy in the mail.

After this ordeal, I started brainstorming for ideas to get Elizabeth to sit still for pictures. I decided to teach her to say "Cheese" whenever she sees the camera. She picked it up very quickly. It's pretty cute to watch, and actually seems to work a little better:



However, we now have to learn not to show her the camera when her mouth is full:



"CHEESE!"