Adventures in photography

This morning a newspaper photographer came by to photograph James and me
with Vivian. The photo would accompany a story they are doing about us and our joint launch next week.

Though of course I haven't seen the article in advance, I think the general thrust is "Look! Two writers! In one family! They write even though they have a kid! Her book is even about the kid! Isn't she a great kid? Don't they do a great job?"

It is therefore somewhat ironic that Vivian managed to drive away the photographer by howling piteously the whole time he was here.

Vivian was in general a bit fragile today -- she had several long spells where the least thing would set her off with the trademark high-pitched piteous howling with additional flailing about. I think it might be her teeth, as she is also gnawing on things like a beaver.

Though she had her charming moments too, like when she helped herself to one of the big-people chairs so that she could share our lemon poppyseed cake. Or her new ability to request her storybooks by name. Or the bit where she grabbed my hand and James's hand and dragged us off down the sidewalk at top speed. Or the bit where we were both in the tub and she climbed up on my reclining belly and laid her head under my chin like a newborn.

(I read in Doctor Spock recently that parental nudity can scar a child for life. Oops.)

Photoshoot has been rescheduled for Monday evening.