Will Trade Smiles for Bruises

In news that is about as shocking as the headlines "Water is Wet" and "Mornings are Stupid," Mila doesn't think I'm funny. I mean, other people's kids think I'm hilarious, but she stares at me like I have seven heads any time I'm holding the camera and try to earn a smile from her.

It's amazing, really. I have this whole thing I do when I'm photographing other people's kids. It works 99.9% of the time. My own kids, though? NOOOOPE. Neither one of them think I'm funny. The good news is that Alexis has discovered that making a cute face for pictures benefits her because then she has a cute picture of herself. Mila is more interested in eating dirt than she is what she looks like.

So.

That's why I have been trying all kinds of random and very weird things.

Alexis was the first to figure out the trick that is currently buying me a few Mila smiles. I believe it was initially an accident, but then it turned very purposeful.

Mila thinks violence is HILARIOUS.

Violence aimed at yourself is even better.

So if you've been wondering why Mila's hand is by her head in nearly every photo of her, there is an explanation. If I hit myself in the head and say "OW!" over and over again, Mila will copy me. And smile. Over and over and over as she hits herself.

This little trick is going to wear out in a week or two. I don't know what will be the next thing that makes Mila smile or pictures, but I hope it doesn't require that I knock myself unconscious.

It's probably going to require that I knock myself unconscious.

Comments

[Amanda Gee]

One night a very long time ago I accidentally hit my head on the top bunk putting Evie to bed. I now have to purposefully hit head every night or she won't sleep. Me giving myself a concussion is part of bedtime routine.

[Jenna]

The things we do.