hair twist-a-rama

This is our new favorite hair style of the moment.....small hair twists.

Really they are like hair "twist & twirls".

I reserve this for a big hair comb out with morrocan oil for a deep condition

the I take small sections, apply some of Carol's Daughter hair mimosa 

I love the moisture and shine it gives our sweet girls hair.  

And the scent is heavenly. 

 To sit still for an hour of hair we require a sucker and Yo Gabba Gabba....

In the end these twists and twirls looks so pretty....and I am surprised by how long they last.  

I have kept them in for a week at the most.

Not bad for a vanilla Mama!  

twisted sister

For any little girl, it feels like having your "hair done" for the first time is a rite of passage.  And as an African American girl this may come a lot younger than say for me as a little girl, based simply on our different hair needs.   As a white Mom, I have been working so  very hard everyday to make sure I am doing Tessa's hair justice.  I have researched and tried a myriad (aka. drawer full) of hair products.  Our current favorite is "Carol's Daughter".   I have been making sure that each day I get through the curls and get out knots with hair milk and my fingers.  We deep condition regularly...conditioning seems to be key.  And then the fun part that I love is putting her hair into little bows and puffs.  But that is where my expertise ends. 

One little brag to share:  I did receive an amazing compliment from my African-American OB/GYN.  It was the first time I had ever seen her last month and I had to bring Tessa with me.  The first thing she said to me was "You are doing a great job with her hair".   Not, how are you feeling or what brings you in today?  It was "you are doing  great job with her hair".   Case in point- Hair is very important in the black community, white people don't know about black hair needs and don't get it until they need to. 

I felt so happy that a black woman noticed and validated my efforts.  It was huge for me to know I was on the right track.

O.K.  So,  this past weekend everyone sat in the "hair chair" weekend while my sister, Krissy, was visiting.  This is where I had my own rite of passage.  Krissy was able to give me a lesson on twisting Tessa's hair into adorable twists!

Here, Krissy looks a little "twisted" herself as she is getting through Tessa's hair.

Tessa's hair in full fro state.  Notice the tear stained cheek.  ahh...

 Lollipops make having your hair done a much more pleasant experience.  2 lollipops are best.

I think I have the hair twist down.  It is a little tricky.  

Sectioning the hair off is important to make it nice and neat.  

Krissy gave me a great hands on lesson.

Here Tessa sees her hair in twists for the first time.  

I am loving these twists!  

Thanks to my twisted sister!  I love you!

last sign of babyhood...gone

 My baby Jack, isn't a baby anymore.  He is 4.  And whenever I call him "baby" he will promptly tell me, "Mama, I not a baby!".   O.K.  O.K.
So, this weekend while my sister was visiting she gave everyone a haircut.  Juddy didn't want a haircut as he is "growing" his hair out to look cool.  But he did get a trim.  Drew enjoys having a "do" and got a "mohawk", aka spiky hair.  

Jack was after Drew.  I thought for sure I would have to wrestle him to get his hair trimmed.  TRIMMED.  I love it so long, curly and have always resisted getting the boys hair cut because they immediately look years older.  I can't help it.  When Jack ran in and said "I want a Mohawk like Drew!"  I said, "What?" in a sad, dismayed voice.  Andy and Krissy were all for it and with good reason.  He looked like a mop-head most the time and wouldn't let me comb it.   But despite good reason, I was hesitating, "Jack, are you sure?"    But really I was feeling like I wasn't sure.   But he was absolutely certain.  My heart hurt....my baby's hair.  It was the last sign of his babyhood!

So here is the progression of Jack's entry into being a BIG BOY forever. 

sniff, sniff.

Jack loves his "mohawk".  HE LOVES IT!  

He is touching it and making sure it is standing up on top.

He loves being a big boy and having hair that is big boy hair.   The new hair cut fits him in every way.

And of course, I saved a lock of hair, that last sign of babyhood.