Monday, October 6, 2008

Portraits and Milestones

We usually get our family portraits done at JCPenney. They are very inexpensive and the quality is outstanding.  Due to circumstances beyond my control, however, we went to Sears last week to have the boys' portraits done.  David didn't have a formal baby picture at all before he was a year old, and I was determined that Sam would have one before then.

The time the photographer actually spent with the boys was great. He was very patient with two boys who were very cranky.

However, he took a long phone call while we were waiting for him to get set up for us. He disappeared for 30 minutes after the photo session, and when I finally went to find him to ask how much longer it would be, he said he was editing the photos and it would be five more minutes--did we want to go grab something to eat.  Well, why didn't he tell us BEFORE he began the editing that we had time to go somewhere. Fifteen minutes later, he showed us the photos. There were only three that were worth having--did I mention the boys were cranky? 

As we were checking out, he asked if we wanted to pay $3 per sheet extra and have them printed while we waited. I asked how he could do that, and he said oh, he just prints them on the computer, JUST LIKE THEY DO AT THE LAB.  WHAT????!!!!

I did not just spend two hours (all day if you count the crazy time we had getting to the studio in the first place) and lots of stress to have computer-printed pictures, which are not the quality of lab-processed photos. Well, apparently I did. It never occurred to me that a portrait studio of any kind would produce computer-printed pictures.

Then, I noticed as I was checking out that a brochure said that I could have free on-line access to my photos. When I asked about it, the photographer said, "Oh, I was going to tell you about that in a minute."  After he got my money so I wouldn't put off my purchase.  He didn't give me any information for accessing my photos except that they would be available in 48 hours.  I assumed the log-in information was somewhere in the paperwork he had given me.  When I tried to get the pictures yesterday, I discovered that I didn't have the information I needed, so I called.  They gave me the log-in info, but I still couldn't get anything. I have to call back today when my photographer (who is also the manager--what?!) is in and find out what the problem is.

This definitely goes in the Live and Learn file.


On a happier note....Sam figured out how to get his feet moving yesterday. He's been pulling up on everything for about three weeks now, but he hasn't shown any interest in moving around once he got up.  Yesterday, the phone was on the sofa, and he WANTED it, so he figured out how to make those feet cooperate.  He was so proud! 

I am always amazed when he learns something physical so quickly.  As I'm sure I've mentioned here before, David rolled over at 13 months and walked at 20--he only just started walking this time last year, so Sam's progress is supersonic by comparison.  The funny thing about David though was that he didn't seem slow, even though we knew he was way behind, and we never, ever worried. I got frustrated when he didn't walk sooner, but I was never afraid that he wouldn't.  God is good.


2 comments:

Valerie said...

thanks for making me aware of Sears, things are not always as advertised, I love JCPenneys Portrait Studio, here’s a link of coupons for JCP, some great deals for next time enjoy
http://216.245.181.62/offers/9000240/coupons9000240c.shtml

Curly said...

I always use JCP too.
Hooray for Sam!