The Many Faces of Tiger

When Tiger was born, the first thing Cackle Mummy said to Husband Bear was, "Golly, she looks just like your mum!"

This may have had something to do with the beannie they put on Tiny Tiger's head when she came out, which looked remarkable similar to the beannies Gran L wears when she's out with the horses. 

But the fact remains. Tiger looks exactly like her Gran.

But, genetics being the quirky things they are, Tiger also, at times, looks like other members of her family. 

These are the Many Faces of Tiger.

The Daddy Bear

Tiger and Daddy Bear both pull the same face when they are feeling quite smug about something. In Daddy Bear's case, it is usually a joke he is going to play on Cackle Mummy. In Tiger's case, it is usually a poo.

The Uncle Lil Bro

When Lil Bro was a tiny thing, in every photo he would pull the same face - mouth wide, eyes huge, utterly hysterically ecstatic. Tiger does the same face, only not on film. On film, Tiger does the same thing Daddy Bear does - looks like she wants to kill the photographer.

The Uncle N

Uncle N is a charmer. Possessed of very handsome looks, his smile is enough to make any girl go weak at the knees. Unlike many charming men, however, Uncle N seems unaware of his skill and is actually, genuinely, a very sweet man. Nonetheless, he has a wickedly disarming smile, and Tiger has inherited it.

The Uncle A

Uncle A is a thinker. He can often be found reading Vonnegut, or painting dark, abstract pictures that Cackle Mummy is too ditsy to quite understand. He is also known to stare off into the distance, Thinking Deep Thoughts. Tiger does the same thing. Her thoughts may not be about Vonnegut. They may be about Chewing Her Hand. But the look is the same.

The Granda C

Granda C is fond of a yarn, and Cackle Mummy is very fond of his yarns. When Granda C is mid-yarn, he gets a very earnest expression on his face, at pains that you'll understand the gist of his story. When Tiger is in a talkative mood, she gets this same, very serious face, as if to say, "You understand what I'm saying, don't you, Mummy? You get what I'm saying? Right?"

The Poppy S

Cackle Mummy's dad can occasionally, much like his daughter, get a little bit bemused by life. The slightly confused and befuddled look he gets when this happens has passed down to his granddaughter, and can often be seen when Daddy is pulling funny faces at her, or when Mummy blows her nose or suddenly comes around the side of the fridge, when Tiger wasn't expecting it.

This is Mummy's favourite face.

The Grandma V

Cackle Mummy has a picture of Grandma V, standing, hands on hips, with the most gleeful smile on her face. Grandma V looks utterly pleased with herself, or proud, or just very satisfied with life. It's Grandma V's most hated photo but Cackle Mummy loves it. And Tiger does that same smile, when she's achieved something she's been working at, like rolling or reaching her ball. Or pooing.

The Great-Nan A

Great-Nan A has the most delicious, hearty, life-loving laugh and Tiger has inherited it. Mummy is in love with Tiger's laugh.

The Great-Grandma I

Another smile in Tiger's repertoire is the Great-Grandma I. It's a smile that comes packaged with a wicked twinkle in the eye and the suggestion that there's something she isn't telling Cackle Mummy. 

In Tiger's case, this often involves poo.

Of course, Tiger has many faces that are all her own. "Scrunch face" happens before an epic grizzle. "Tomato face" happens when poo is imminent. "Turbo-Tiges face" is Tiger's overtired-and-hyper expression. "Wobble-chin" breaks Cackle Mummy's heart.

And where is the face that looks like Cackle Mummy?

The dreamy, vague, slightly overwhelmed face that Tiger gets, when she's very, very tired is probably inherited from her Mummy. But also, the little almost-dimple in her cheek. This is especially lovely, because her Cackle Mummy has one on the left hand side of her face, and her Uncle Lil Bro has one on the right, and her Poppy S has two - he gave one to each of us, and Cackle Mummy gave hers to Tiger.

Genetics is a funny thing. But it can also be so lovely.

~ Love, Miss Cackle