Photo Op x 4

Oops, have I really let a month go by without blogging? Let's just say twins keep you busy. Right now I am holding fussy Jude with one hand, typing with the other, and now Joshua is fussing too on the bed beside me. And that pattern is applicable to so many of our daily activities, blogging being among the least important: attempt to accomplish something, stop to calm Baby A, resume activity, stop to calm Baby B, resume activity, give up because Baby A and Baby B are yelling.

But I just can't resist posting some pictures from a little photo shoot we did this morning because I think the kids' personalities came out so well. Austin's and Esther's at least; we were quite pleased that the twins stayed still and sleepy most of the time. We were trying to get a picture of all the kids for a frame that Zach's mom gave us, by the way.

Esther is, shall we say, strong-willed? We asked the big kids to lay down
just like Austin is doing...so she got on her knees very deliberately. Austin
is not always cooperative, but he responds to bribes. Gummy candy for him.

Then she eventually decided to lay down (gummy candy for her!) but notice she
is NOT looking at the camera, despite offers of more candy.

Tired of being on her tummy, she's sitting up again. Austin looking kind
of bored.

Well gosh, if Esther is determined to sit up let's try it with both big kids. I'm
acting silly off camera and one of my kids is amused. Esther resolutely decides
she will not look up once again.

She can't resist a look, but apparently she can resist a smile.

Don't remember how but Esther finally gives us a cute smile! And of course
Austin has a funny look.

This is Austin encouraging Esther to smile and look at the camera. Gee, I wonder
why it didn't work.

We try a variation of our original pose. Pretty cute, actually, except that Joshua
is getting restless. He actually rolled toward Austin a few seconds later--our
yard has a downward slope to the fence.

Back to the original pose once the babies are settled again. This might have
worked except Austin's hands are by his mouth in all the shots which looks
kind of weird. I think he was trying along with us to get Esther to say funny
stuff. I'm pretty proud of how cooperative he was here.

This is actually one of my favorite shots. 

So is this.

Sitting up again. What's this look?

And finally, this is the one going in the frame. They may not be looking at
the camera, but Austin and Esther both look happy and natural. We'll take it!