The First Haircut

Christian has worked very hard for the hair on his head.  For the longest time, I was worried he would be bald forever.  Finally, his hair has started to thicken, and get longer, and I am not as worried that his scalp will burn if he is in the sun for more than a minute.  Because I have waited so long for him to have any hair at all, the thought never occurred to me that he might need a haircut.  But today, as I was snuggling with him on the couch, I noticed his long lovely curls on the back of his head were actually turning into dread locks.  I decided it was time.

Tessie needed a trim too, so I announced to the kids that they would be getting haircuts before bath.  I have always cut Tessie’s hair myself.  When she had bangs it was a little difficult, but she has always been very good at standing still for me.  Even then, bangs and a cut on a little girl are pretty straight forward.  Cutting a little boy’s hair is a whole other thing, especially a little boy who not only can’t stand, he can barely sit on his own.  Oh, and let’s not forget this particular little boy is a bit of a wiggle worm.  I had quite a job ahead of me. 

Tessie volunteered to go first, so her brother could see what happened during a haircut.  He was very interested, and sat patiently on the floor to watch.  Tes was very good, and while I was cutting, she told her brother that a first haircut can be scary, but he should be brave because it is really fun.  I smiled quietly to myself.  Then it was Christian’s turn.  “I’m getting a haircut!” he said proudly, as I started to comb out the dreads on the back of his head.  I then began the difficult process of balancing him on my lap, combing, and cutting.  In hindsight I think a chair of some kind would have been a smart move, but I am not always known for thinking things through all the way ahead of time. 

After a lot of snipping, measuring, and re-wetting, I was finally finished.  Christian was a trooper the whole time.  Don’t get me wrong, he didn’t hold still for a second, but he had a great time.  As I brushed the hair off his shoulders he looked down.  “What’s that Momma?” he asked, pointing to his locks on the floor.  “That’s your hair, buddy.” I said, and his hand went to his head as he contemplated this new piece of information.  I put him in the tub with his sister, and she immediately gave him a big hug.  “You are such a big boy Bubbi!  I am so proud of you!”  Christian looked pretty proud too, as he turned his head from side to side, showing off his new do.  I think I did pretty good, and although he would look adorable with a paper bag on his head, I think my son’s first haircut turned out quite beautifully.