I Guess I Enjoy Photography Studio Hell

Since the Chicken Pox have left our house, I decided to schedule a much overdue appointment for Grayson's 6 months milestone pictures and Claire's 2nd birthday pictures. I don't normally do 2nd birthday pictures, but I got that darn cute Layla Grace tutu from Little Diva Tutu's and I had to take her to get pictures in it. I'd had an appointment set up last month, but Ethan decided that it was time for Chicken Pox, so it was canceled until Ethan stopped being contagious and then the 21 day waiting period to see if Grayson of Claire got them. Nothing happened. YES!

So, on Wednesday, I packed up Grayson and Claire after I got Ethan off to school and headed out early. I thought, "I'll leave early, find Claire a onsie at Target to match her tutu, feed Grayson a little at the studio and everyone will be happy!" Now, I live 45 minutes to an hour away from Target, which is in Hudson. I got halfway to I-94 and thought, "I wonder how many pictures I'll get with my coup.....OMG!!! THE COUPON!!!" That's right, I forgot my coupon, which gave me a free 8x10 and $10 off a $50 order, which is what I always get and it's cheaper with David's employee discount. So, I had to turn around and drive back, which took 20 minutes. I called the studio and asked if I could make the appointment for 20 minutes later than my scheduled appointment. No problem!

After running home and rescuing my coupon from on top of the entertainment tower inside the front door, we headed back out. I actually made it to Hudson with 30 minutes left before my appointment. I went to the bank to get out money that I needed for the pictures and started on my way to Target. I got to Target with 20 minutes to spare until my appointment. We went to the Baby/Toddler section and I found a onsie for $4 that matched Claire's tutu perfectly. We paid for it and headed back to the photo section where I changed Claire into her outfit and handed her a snack and let Grayson have a snack. By this point, it was picture time. I spoke to the photographer about what I wanted. We headed into the room. Claire wanders in slowly, takes a look around and starts SCREAMING. There are sobs. There are tears. This gets Grayson going. I look at Claire. I look at Grayson. I look at the photographer. I look back at Claire. I try and calm her...Nothing. This is the time Grayson decides to take a poo. Fabulous. The photographer tells me not to worry, she has no other appointments until 2PM, and it's only 11:45. There are small miracles.

I head to the bathroom with Claire and Grayson. Claire walks through Target in her tutu. People keep stopping to smile at her and tell her how pretty she it. She smiles. Seriously. I don't even know sometimes. We get to the restroom, and I pull out the changing pad, a fresh diaper and...And empty wipes container. You have got to be kidding me? So, I have to do the impromptu paper towel soaked wipe. Fabulous.

We head back to the studio, where there is more screaming...Until the photographer pulls out a pair of, can you guess? Plastic high heels! Claire immediately stops crying. As soon as Claire stops, Grayson stops. Silence. She is finally able to pick up the camera and snap a picture of Grayson. She gets two wonderful shots. One of him smiling with his infamous tounge sticking out and one of him looking at the camera where his big blue eyes just look intense. Great pictures. Then, it's Claire's turn. She does not smile. She wants nothing to do with the pictures. She spends most of her time running back and forth across the sheet only stopping for brief seconds where the photographer snaps and she's back to running. There is one smile in the bunch. It's better than nothing. I'll take what I can get people.

I order pictures and we are off. Here's to hoping the one year milestone pictures that all THREE kids will be in are a better experience!