Smiles

Phoenix is my 2 year old. I describe him as quiet and subdued, mellow, somber, and serious. Taking all of that into consideration, he is a flat out diva. We call him our drama queen. He puts on quite a show of emotions. But most of the time, he doesn't. He's either at one extreme or the other. He doesn't smile much, that's for sure. When I was his age I did. It wasn't til I got a little older that I didn't. As of now I think I smile enough, but it's true, I usually prefer a reason to. In my relaxed mode, in my neutral face, I'm not smiling. My comfortable face is a slight frown probably so who knows, the kid probably got it from me. I take full responsibility. I'm generally not a smiley person. I'm getting better, but not because I think it's necessary. Smiles and laughs are given or earned. They are part of opposition, and thus should not be spent every moment. That makes them less special. If I smile or laugh, there's usually a good reason.

Phoenix has been hard to catch. It's hard to make him smile and laugh. But when he does....it's pure joy. His smiles are so great and huge! I remember when he was a baby. He would give them freely. The same big, dimply, pear shaped smile. Now I have to earn them. That's fine. Like I said, he takes after his mom. When I saw him looking so cute in the tub I thought I'd get a couple pictures. I was thrilled that he was all smiles for me.
Marcelus