Unadulterated Joy

Kind of cheating today with a picture post.

This photo was taken by my friend, the wonderful photographer Stephanie Willson (look her up if you're in the Tampa area!). She came to New Jersey in June, two weeks after the babies were born, all the way from Florida to do a newborn shoot. I will always be very grateful for this (and come to think of it I should post some of those pictures sometime).

But she also took this wonderful picture of Leo, which in my mind, perfectly sums up his spirit. Most every day a joyful display like this comes out, and like most kids, it doesn't take much. But I think it's fair to say that Leo's appreciation of the every day goes way above most other people. A new tennis ball to throw to the dog, a favorite brand of cheese crackers to snack on while grocery shopping with Mommy, and yes, a new pool for the backyard (see above). Leo seems to feel things more intensely than anyone else I've ever known (and this goes for happiness as well as sadness). Is it that mysterious extra chromosome? Who knows. But as my mom would have said, when he is good, he is very, very good. Of course he can drive you bonkers when he gets in one of his moods, but that smile? That laugh? That jumping up and down display of joy when things are going his way?

Sometimes, you can try really hard to be in a bad mood around Leo. But he just won't let you.