[shmouse]

I was just looking at pics of our beautiful little guy, and I have to say, the one thing that bothers me (besides missing out on all his beautiful growth) is that he is _never_ smiling in any of the photos we get. It makes me feel like he is sad there... Perhaps he is, or perhaps it's not de rigeur in Guatemala to make children smile in photos? Did your kid's photos from Guatemala feature them smiling or not?

I know in all the pics once kids are home they are smiling little cherubs -- perhaps I just have weird expectations. I realize the photos are being taken at dr. visits and by strangers, so perhaps the kiddo is nervous.

Thanks,

Anxious Mom, Shmouse

[Alf]

Its funny you brought this subject up. My daughter NEVER smiled in any of the pictures i recieved when she was in Guat. It bothered me and worried me some to.. I also knew that all the pics were taken at the dr. office, just like yours are and in the updates it said that she hated the dr.!!! But, when she finally came home she is nothing but all smiles and laughs. So, just think of the circumstances in which the pics are taken. I sent down a camera for the FM to use and when i got the pics developed, my daughter was always smiling.

I hope this eases your mind some. Im sure your little guy is all smiles when not at the dr. office.

Good Luck
Lisa

[buckeye1]

In our monthly update photos, we didn't see one of Ana smiling until she was eight months old. We knew from visiting her (at 4,5 and 6 months) that she actually was a happy, smiley baby who was tremendously cared for and loved by a wonderful foster mom. I think the not smiling in the updates had to do with the fact that the pictures were taken at the doctor's office-- an uncomfortable setting where a guy she didn't know frequently gave her shots. I can't blame her for not looking thrilled.

[kjkane]

We just received our second set of pictures yesterday. (YEAH!) Our first set was when he was 4 days old. I looked at the photo album they sent us, and all of the pictures were adorable, but he was not smiling in them. But, we also received a video which was shot during the picture taken session, and I think that explained why he wasn't smiling....they had to wake him up for the pictures, and people were calling his name, flashes were going non stop, they were putting on a hat which we sent him, etc....a lot of things going on...I think he was totally overstimulated.

He didn't seem sad in any of the pictures...he seemed content and very laid back(he probably wasn't fully awake yet). These pictures were taken last week, 1 day before he turned 3 months. Now I am really waiting anxiously to get preapproval!

Kelly

[tricecm]

This was a concern of mine as well. All pictures of Rosie had no smiles. Plus, every time someone on this board posted a picture of a child that was still in Guatemala, that child was serious as well (mostly). I started really worrying.

I don't worry anymore. Rosie is a smiling, cheerful gigglebox.

[4kids4meTN]

I know what you mean! My daughter was never smiling in any of the photos I received from Guatemala. She was not given up for adoption until she was 10 months old, and I really and truly felt that she was very, very sad! BUT....I was wrong!! When I went to visit her about 3 weeks ago...she smiled all the time!! Every picture I took she is smiling. She was a very happy baby, and hardly ever cried! I think they feel scared maybe getting their pictures made with a bunch of people around them?! Also, when I get pictures from Dr. Montiel...she isn't smiling either, but then again...who would smile at the doctor's office? Don't worry about your little guy!! I'm sure he is just fine!

[optimisticfor3]

My baby doesn't smile in any of the photos. She has one or two "almost smiles", and that's it. Whenever we speak to the FM, she points out how smiley my baby is. So I guess it depends on who is taking the picture (if it's a doctor or a stranger, why would she smile at them???)

Monica

[swans105]

I did get a couple pictures of my son smiling but the people taking the pictures had to work to get him to do it He does look sad when he's not smiling though

marcie

[kelleymac]

I concur with everyone else. Probably they're taking the photos in an unfamiliar place and Jonah doesn't smile a lot until he's comfortable somewhere. Once he is comfortable, he just lights up. The few photos that we had from the foster family's home, he was smiling ear to ear. The others (that were at the doctor or attorney's office) he wasn't.

I wouldn't worry. Plus, if Jonah SEES the camera now, rather than smile, he crawls full speed toward it with this intense look on his face.


Best,
Kelley

[khaki17]

The photos I received while I was waiting varied tremendously. One was really cute--maybe an almost smile. One was awful. Now I think they probably woke her up to take the picture. The others were okay. So...I wouldn't take the pictures as a sign of your child's personality or circumstances. Just know that they probably take one photo (maybe 2) and send it on. I don't always look good when I am only given one chance!

Kathleen
mom to Maya (who is usually all smiles, but is sick today)

[Flops]

Ok it's not just my imagination then. I have the same problem with the twins but here's the kicker Michael smiles all the time in all of his pictures at his foster home. Joseph I do not have one picture of that child smiling he always looks so serious and about to cry when his foster mother holds him.

flops

[guati]

My baby doesn't smile either, in one he has a half smile, but thats it. My mom says the baby looks sad...

It's funny this seems to be the way across the board.

[Pamsko]

I thought it was just my little one who didn't smile...but, when I think about it, I don't think my bio dd smiled much at the Dr's office. But it's such a relief to hear others voice the same sentiments!

[Gracew]

My daughter also did not smile in any of the pictures from Guatemala, in fact, in the last pictures were got from Guatemala she was crying in them. They said she didn't like strangers taking her pictures. She came home in February of this year at 2yrs old, she is such a ham , loves getting her picture taken. She was in a very good foster home with a family she loved very much, and from the responses it seems it is in most cases , the kids are happy, it seems to be the setting the pictures were taken in or who was taking their pictures.

Gracew

[kellykamp2004]

Nope! Marissa never smiles either in the pics...and I could NOT get her to smile at the camera when I visited either...the only way she would smile for the camera is if I was holding her...what can I say she loves her mommy already

Man, I miss my baby...just had to throw that in there...

I know all our kids will be smiling bundles of joy when they get home!!!