Evolution of a Smile

Zoe has a smile that is a bit frightening, a bit angry and a lot hilarious.  Actually, that's not true - she has a beautiful natural smile...but if you ask her to smile for the camera what you get is another thing entirely.


I remember Leo had a similar habit at this age (she's 19 months) - when asked to smile he would make a very surprised face, form his lips into an "O" shape and tuck his lips around his teeth.  It never failed to crack us up.

It wasn't unlike this face:

Zoe's smile and Leo's throwback smile

Sometimes Zoe's smile is is more of a soft grimace - despite it's rough edges you can still tell it's joyful.

It's more playfully mischievous than anything else.  You can't help but smile back.  

Other times.  It's a little more borderline.  If you didn't know she made that face when prompted to smile you might think it was an unhappy moment.  

cheese!

Matching grins

So happy/angry!

Even selfies get the grimace

The smoothie was delicious, that's just her smile

So excited/terrified to go out in the snow!

Every once in a while, though, this strange yet delightful smile can turn into something terrifying.

Having SUCH a good time

Seriously.  This is the stuff of nightmares.  

Thankfully, every day she's getting better at flashing a genuine - freaking gorgeous - smile.  Soon I'll miss these silly faces she makes.  I know I miss Leo's. 

It's certainly better than getting a duckface every time I pull out the camera, so I'll count my blessings.