Bringing a new baby home when you are the current baby is hard.  And what I mean by that is, it’s hard to be a toddler!  Adding number four to this family was perfection…but it’s all a balancing act.  All hands are on deck.  And you have to juggle nap times and snacks and entertainment.

One of my little tricks of the trade is finding a fun way to ditch the pacifier for the photo.  The older kids come ready to follow directions, but that youngest guy is still adjusting to this new family dynamic.  So, instead of ripping away his comfort so he can ‘take pictures,’ I like to make a little game out of it.

I get everyone on the bed and then I start playing around and pretending to take the pacifier.  Then, I turn it into…I’m gonna get you!  I playfully yank it out and quickly snap a photo.  Usually they’re laughing and I pop it back in the mouth, and repeat.  This silly little game pretty much works every time and makes the whole picture taking process a little less traumatizing for toddlers who have recently become big brothers and sisters.