Expectation is the root of all evil.

Ever had high expectations only to have them come crashing down? I have found it is best to go into situations with no expectations. I'm not talking about having LOW expectations, I'm saying its best to have NO expectations. I'm sure you're thinking to yourself, "Wow, this lady is depressing, what a downer, I'm need to stop reading this bullshit and switch on The Big Bang Theory." Okay, well, you should 1) definitely switch on The Big Bang Theory because that show is phenomenal and 2) hear me out.

When you have a 3 year old (or a toddler in general) it is best to have no expectations but plenty of contingency plans. Regardless of how many times you tell yourself as a parent, "It won't turn out the way I want it to," you cannot help but imagine the most perfect scenario. Here is an ideal example that happened this weekend: I scheduled professional pictures for my son who turned three October 16. I debated over whether or not to do it as I have a very nice Canon camera and take roughly 500 pictures PER MONTH of my son, some good others I erase-the beauty of digital photography right? BUT Matt convinced me that we should plus a great local photographer was recommended who was uber cheap who would also take pictures of the three of us for no extra charge. We set the date. I picked out clothes for all three of us, including buying new clothes for my son and myself. I spent HOURS on Pinterest (I'm going to naturally assume you know what Pinterest is because if you don't...well, you're strange) looking up and repinning toddler photos and family photos, searching for adorable and unique poses. I was IMMENSELY prepared for Sunday's photo session. Clearly, the best mom ever. EVER. So what could possibly go wrong?

First, it sleeted. Sleet in ND (where I'm living) consists of rain that isn't really rain but more along the lines of chips of ice falling from the sky. It was also 40 degrees. Why did the weather matter? We were shooting outside! At a park. Thankfully, for the hour we shot, it stopped sleeting AND cleared up in the sky. Perfection. Second, my son acted like a little shi----um, turd. He did not want his picture taken. He would not even look at the photographer let alone talk to her. He would not sit on her adorable little blue chair. Even after we bribed him with M&M's he wasn't cooperative. It took about 30 M&Ms and  20 minutes of family shots before he would let her shoot him on his own and even then she had to shoot incredibly fast as he wouldn't sit still. All those poses I looked up? Forget about them, we were lucky to have him even look at the camera.

The photos will be ready in 2-3 weeks. I'm hoping for one good close-up of him, one full-length of him and one good family. That's three good shots out of an hour long shoot. Now do you understand why I think it's best to have no expectations? At least while you're children are young...once they get older, you definitely need expectations. I think. I don't know. We'll have to wait and see. All I know right now for sure? Always ALWAYS bring M&Ms. That's just a give-in.