Today, this:
became this:
Ahhhhh!!!
I finally gave in — it was time for Landon’s first haircut. After not being able to make up my mind about cutting off his beautiful little curls for the longest time, I had thought of making that trip to the hair salon in recent weeks. And when I received a half-off coupon in the mail from Snip-its, the kid’s place I wanted to take him to anyway because I wanted him to have a special, positive experience the first time, my frugal self took that as a sign.
It worked out great; Don was off work today and needed a trim as well, so we first went to a barber shop. I wanted L to see Daddy get his hair cut so he could see for himself that it is not a scary proposition. L did walk in there with much trepidation, thinking a hair salon is like a doctor’s office. But I sat him in the kid’s chair they had and he watched Daddy get his buzz cut. Can you tell he was a little uneasy?
Daddy was very brave.
Then we drove to Snip-it’s. It’s a fun place with colorful decoration, and the kids get to watch TV, blow bubbles, or play with toys — anything to distract them. While L was talking all exited about going to get his own haircut on the way there, when it was time to sit down, he lost it for a moment. He started to cry and wanted to get off the chair. But I just hugged him and he buried himself in my chest, which actually worked out great for the hair stylist. She started cutting, and after a minute L realized that it didn’t hurt and relaxed. He didn’t like it, but he was okay.
I love this picture, doesn’t this say it all?
He played with a few toys and before we knew it, his curls where gone.
He got a toy fishy…
…and I left with a cute certificate and a little bag of his hair. When I read the certificate, that L “met all the requirements of a first haircut with courage and bravery” I started to tear up. Don just rolled his eyes at me, but I can’t help it — this is another huge milestone for him and me! He just started preschool, his best friend moved away, and he got his first haircut! That hair had been growing for over two years!
We went for lunch at Panera Bread, and I thought I was fine. Landon looks really cute with his new do, but later on it really bothered me that I didn’t ask for his one long curl to be cut off separately so I can hold on to it. Instead, all his cut hair got shoved into a tiny plastic bag and attached to the certificate. I bothered me so much that I later took out all the hair and tried to find that one long curl. It didn’t get cut off so it is still as long as it was, but I did get a piece and put a rubber band around it so the hair stays together. I’m still kind of upset, actually, L will probably never have such long hair again and someone told me that it might never grow back curly, but what is done is done. Guess this is one of those tough lessons you learn about being a mom: your kids grow up so fast and you might realize that you want to hold on to something only after it is gone.
I can’t believe I am crying again over this! Why is this tougher than sending him to preschool? You know what it is? I mentally prepared myself right along with him for preschool, I really put a lot of thought and effort into making that transition as easy as possible for him, and although I also put some thought into preparing him for his first haircut, I didn’t prepare myself for it. That curl is gone forever! Anyone have a tissue for me?
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So glad to have found this from your tweets! I have the same reaction every time I cut Mikko’s hair. It grows so fast, and the cowlicks mean it goes right into his eyes, so I have to keep it trimmed — but every time my heart breaks a little to look at him afterwards.
My mother and husband were recently speculating that his hair texture is changing and that maybe I’d cut off the curls for good this time, and I seriously had to ask them to stop. But I figure we mothers have the right to get emotional about such things, right?
Your little boy looks adorable. And next thing you know, you’ll be packing off to school.
I just found a picture of my two daughters getting their first haircut. That was 16 years ago, and I cried all over again! I still have the locks I saved from that traumatic day..(trauma for me, not for them–they each got a balloon!)
.-= Jessica Harper´s last blog ..Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb…. =-.
I know how hard this is! I had to cut my daughter’s hair because of lice. It was soo sad to cut off her curls. the poor thing looked like a boy! :(
.-= Paul´s last blog ..Stair Lift Accessories =-.
He is adorable with his new do. As for the curls, if he is meant to have curly hair it will curl up again. I still have the bag of curls from my son’s first hair cut when he was about 2 and my daughter’s from when she was 3. My daughter is now 11 with extremely curly locks and my son no longer has his curls but does have lovely thick, wavy hair. You aren’t the only who cries at first hair cuts. Actually I think I have cried at almost every first either of mine have had. Including recently m 5 yr old reading completely on his own for the first time. Going with my daughter to purchase her first bra.
Tammy
.-= Tammy´s last blog ..Peanut Butter Freezer Treats and Spaghetti Sauce! =-.
how cute! I think I took my son to the same place in june for his first haircut (wish I had a coupon, but is was soooo worth it).
Oh he looks very cute with it cut and just think now it will start to look much thicker than before:)
He looks adorable! I’ve always kept my boys’ hair short and it is funny because my daughter has very fine short hair that doesn’t grow much LOL so it is fairly short still!
Oh what a little man! My son too has long hair and when it curls in the back it looks so adorable but other times it is like a bed head of straw! He is 29 months and has had a few snips in the back for stray hairs from a friend, but I am so not ready to get him a haircut yet!
I gave up with Sander’s hair long, long ago. I think that I gave him his first haircut when he was about 1 year old.
But it was a bit tougher with my daughter’s first haircut. Landon does look adorable. You know what makes it so tough? When you look at him he looks more like a little boy now, and less like a toddler, right?
Awww! He still looks adorable, but I’d miss the curls too ;)
Oh dear, he looks like a little man. Such a cutie!
I remember my son’s first haircut – and that was over 13 years ago.
It’s a huge milestone. Congratulations for facing it with courage and bravery. You’ll be just fine.
You are one brave lady!!! I’ve yet to take M for his first haircut. He’s got lots of blond curls and I’m afraid to see them go. Love the pics of Landon :o) He did great!
This is sweet and kind of makes me laugh. I have the same emotions over things (like the first time he slept without me next to him) but not over his hair. My little one was born with a TON of hair. His first haircut was when he was 3 months old!! (And he’s still curly) So I guess I never got attached to it and never put that much thought into it. He’s 16 months now and has had many haircuts. A lady did tell me the other day that her daughter had curly hair and when she was 3 years old they cut it and all the curl disappeared so now I know it can still happen and when it does I do believe I’ll be crying! (And be assured my husband won’t. Haha. They just don’t get it, huh??) ;) Cry away girl! I cry more now that I’ve had a baby than I ever did before. I hate it but it is what it is so I say cry, cry away!! :)
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