The Modest Model

Last night was Jackson's newborn photo shoot with Melissa. Boy did it turn into an adventure!

Jack was sound asleep (car rides tend to do that) when we got there so I was sure he would be completely cooperative for our photo session. Wrong! The minute we undressed him the screaming began. And it went on...and on...and on. He cried more in 1 hour than he has his entire life combined. Drew & I tried everything. We wrapped him up in a blanket, we rocked, we used the pacifier and we even gave him a formula bottle. All to no avail. In the meantime, we snapped a few shots mid tantrum but it was certainly not the serene sleeping infant that I had imagined! Luckily, Melissa is amazing and managed to make it look like he was perfectly comfortable.

After just over an hour we gave up and were discussing coming back another night while I dressed him. Suddenly it was silent. The second his clothes were back on, Jack was absolutely as content as could be. It was as if we flipped a switch. We quickly decided to take advantage of his peacefulness and snapped several more pictures. This time, he let us position him, manipulate him and move him around at will. We were totally cracking up. Unfortunately, I hadn't planned on any clothed pictures so I wasn't prepared with outfits, but we made do with what we had.

So I now know that my son does not like to be undressed. I should have guessed as much. After all, with the exception of being hungry, his fussy times are only during baths and outfit changes. Both of which involve periods of undress. As Melissa said, "He was trying to tell us this all along. We just weren't listening!"

Melissa shared some of the images with us before we left and there are some fabulous shots. We didn't get everything I had hoped for, but clearly Jack had other plans. And I'm fine with that. If anything, motherhood has taught me that you absolutely have to go with the flow (and those of you that know me well, know what a HUGE step this is for me!). Besides, it makes for a good memory...my modest little model!