Expectations vs. Reality

The start of a new series that will pop up here and there.

Most, if not all of these will be about parenting, so I totally get that the expectations are never going to happen, but I figure, you've gotta find the humor in life.

Expectation:

I'm going to take really cute pictures of the baby holding  up letters to spell, "I love Daddy" and frame them."

Reality: 

The baby will "eat" your letters. Said baby will also crumple and drop these letters as well.

Expectation:

"I can't wait to take my kiddo to the fireworks for the first time. He's going to love them!"

Reality:

Kiddo will HATE the fireworks and cry through the entire show, while you're trapped on a bridge with 2,000 people all around you.

Expectation:

"Oh! Going to look at the water at the beach will be so much fun! It'll be so cute watching him stick his feet in the water."

Reality:

Kiddo will wander around and try to steal other kids beach toys. When you decide it's time to go, he will not want to leave and will throw himself to the ground limp noodle style and all you can do is pick him up and carry him kicking and screaming as other mom's sit back and think, "Thank God that isn't my kid this time!"

Expectation:

"Let's go walk around the mall. We'll put the boy on a "leash" so he can't run away, but he'll be happy because he gets to walk."

Reality:

Your child will not be amused with said leash, and will give up on life. He will sprawl out right in the middle of the mall as to make sure that everyone sees you failing as a parent in that moment.

Expectation:

"Let's get a sweet picture of the grandkids with Mimi and Pa!"

Reality:

Newborn will scream for no good reason. 3 year old will act like a butt head, because 3 year olds are...well, butt heads.  (Although, you can't completely tell from this picture, he was not wanting his picture taken and kept wiggling down).

Expectation:

"Yay! Let's all go get family pictures taken. We can do this! 20 minute session and last year went perfectly."

Reality:

Your crawling baby from last year can now walk and is in full on toddler rage mode. 

But, to be honest, I love this picture even if I was stressed in the moment. 

Not every moment is fun or goes how we want to, but they're still moments that I'll remember (and laugh about) later.