Picture This

Jesse and I did something this week that I was trying to avoid with all my heart. But we got an offer from some good friends that was too good to pass up. So we did it. We took maternity pictures. I've never understood maternity pictures. You're doing a whole photo shoot of something that doesn't quite exist yet. The pictures are taken just a couple months before the baby is born and then you have to do it all over again. What's the point?

I've seen many pictures of butterflies. There are even butterfly catchers (which I think is a class taught in home-schools across the country). But I've never seen any pictures of cocoons, have you? That's basically what this equates to.

If I'm being honest though, the reason that I didn't want to do this has nothing to do with the fact that maternity pictures don't make sense to me. It more had to do with the fact that I may be one of the most unphotogenic people in the world. I started off strong as a kid. The problem is that I peaked way, WAY too early. The best picture I've ever taken was my class picture in the 5th grade. I mean it. To this day it is still my favorite picture of myself (pictures that don't have me in it I've never given much thought to). My hair was perfectly coiffed, I was wearing my favorite shirt, and my smile was more charming than Zach Morris.

I remember looking at this picture for the first time and thinking "I've officially arrived." The very next year, though, was a different story. I'm not sure what happened but I went from looking like the coolest kid in school to the nerdiest person you've ever seen in your life. In retrospect, I suppose my 6th grade picture was a better representation of who I really am, but still. (I don't have this picture but if you ask my sister, I'm pretty sure she carries it around in her wallet) Since then, every picture has been a downward spiral to complete and utter embarrassment.

There may be no worse picture than my 9th grade band picture. One could argue that just taking a band picture is asking for trouble and I suppose you'd be right. This picture is on a whole new level. Every once in a while my sisters will bring out this picture to remind me of my darkest days. It's a constant source of mockery for my family. And I'm defenseless to their attacks. There's nothing I can say to justify the picture whatsoever. Simply put: it's the worst picture ever, as you can see for yourself.

With good reason, I feared the aforementioned maternity photo shoot.



With much trepidation I agreed to the maternity photo shoot. As expected, Jesse looked beautiful in every picture. She's never taken a bad picture. I on the other hand looked like someone smiling while trying to keep their tongue from hitting the top OR bottom of their mouth. (try it and you'll know what I mean) As we did the photo shoot, I was sweating. People were staring. My inner monologue was telling me that I might as well be in my band uniform. But we made it through. Jesse had a blast and it wasn't exactly torture for me either. Once we got the pictures something completely unexpected happened - I loved them. This started out as something to do for Jesse and ended up being a complete blessing for both of us. Even though Cassie isn't here yet, seeing these pictures makes it seem as though she is. I'm so grateful to Logan and Brittany for taking these pictures for us. They did an amazing job. I can't wait 'til we have our first official "family" portrait.



On another note: for those of you who read the "nailed it" post, here is the finished rocket ship. It was worth shooting Dave in the hand for.

ALSO: any and everyone can leave comments on all posts now. So if you've tried before but couldn't, you should be able to now. Thanks for reading