Changes

What a week for change. First my littlest baby has his first birthday. Then my oldest has his first haircut! All of that is too much for this mama. I hope that this coming week is a lot less eventful because my emotions can't take much more.



I finally decided to bite the bullet and take Dylan to get a haircut. We've been saying almost every weekend that he needed a hair cut, but we never took him. This weekend we were having Devin's party so I wanted Dylan to look nice. Plus, Bart needed a trim too. I think Dylan was a little prepared for this because when I was helping my mom take out her braids and I was using the scissors to cut them, he sat down and wanted me to cut his hair. I hid the scissors after that because I didn't want him to get any ideas and have a huge chunk of his hair missing.



We went to a chain hair cuttery place that was close to the house. I really was afraid that they wouldn't know how to do his hair. His hair is about three different textures. The ladies in there were very nice and eager to get their hands on Dylan's hair. I was just hoping they wouldn't cut it all off. Bart went first because we hoped that it would give Dylan a chance to see that getting his hair cut wasn't scary. Devin, who had been asleep through most of Bart getting his hair cut, woke up a bit dazed and confused. He kept looking at Bart, smiling shyly, and then turning away. He didn't seem too sure of who this new person was.


Dylan surprised us all. The whole time Bart was getting his hair shaved off (looking like he just enlisted in the military) Dylan kept saying he wasn't getting his hair cut. But when it was his turn, he jumped into the chair and was ready to go. He was such a big boy! We just knew he was going to cry and throw a fit. Turns out I was the one in tears. He just sat there while the lady did his hair. Making little faces like he was bored with the whole thing. He flinched a little when she used the clippers, but it was no big deal for him.



Me on the other hand...Well the lady was cutting off more than I wanted. I was all in the way, telling her what to do, but I didn't care. Probably got on her nerves, but that's my baby's head. I just wanted it shaped up and the top trimmed down some because it was so much longer than the rest. She basically gave him a fade. There's hardly any hair in the back, which I'm actually ok with because that was the hardest part to brush out. It would get so tangled and could stick to Velcro! She then cut the sides down and left him with a little hair on top. The way it is cut the curls on top really come out. I wasn't too happy at first, but it is growing on me. It's just such a drastic change. I loved his crazy hair. We'd get good (some bad) comments all the time. My dad called him a Christian Rock Star. Now my dad says it's like Sampson getting his hair cut. Dylan still has his coolness and cuteness. One thing is for sure--he looks like a real little boy. No doubt.





After the haircut, I went shopping! Without the boys! Life is so much easier when you don't have to buckle and unbuckle a kid from his car seat. Bart watched them while I ran around town getting last minute things. (Thanks, Honey.) When I got home, there was no stopping. Dylan helped me bake the cupcakes for the party, then I stayed up until 1:30 in the morning decorating them! They were so cute. I got an idea off the Family Fun site to make froggy cupcakes. They gave me the idea, but I took the idea to the 10th level. I did the frogs and then made chicks too. I made and colored everything myself. Where they called for gumdrop eyes (who can find gumdrops this time of the year??), I had to melt, color and then mold the eyes. I colored the frosting, getting just the right colors (orange is a hard color to get). And at night while in bed, my mind was racing on how I could make them better. First thing in the morning I was off looking for the few last ingredients to make the cupcakes memorable. I think it worked.


On Saturday we held Devin's 1st birthday party at a Chattahoochee River Park picnic area. I was watching the news for two weeks and praying that it wouldn't rain. With tropical storm Hanna and hurricane Ike lurking out in the Atlantic, I was worried that we'd be rained out. But it was a beautiful day. Not too hot, and not too cool. Plenty of sunshine and clouds to balance it all out.

We were sorry that not a lot of people were able to make it and understand that people live busy lives (they were missed), but those who did come made the day special and a whole lot of fun. My friend Rachelle came with her husband and three kids. Her husband, Rod, became the grill master. My dad usually does that kind of thing, but with his leg still healing, I'm sure he didn't mind sitting back and letting someone else take over. Rachelle said that they had never been to the Chattahoochee and that they didn't normally do the outdoorsy kind of thing. They loved it. She even got a bit soaked chasing after her flip flop as it floated down the river. Her youngest, who is two, played all in the dirt with Dylan. Those two boys were covered in dirt! Her two older daughters were right in there with them too.





We took the kids to the river to play. The water is really shallow some ways out and was just the right temperature. Those kids were everywhere. Playing, splashing, picking up rocks, and having no inhibitions whatsoever. Oh to be a kid again! The little guys were everywhere too. Where was the birthday boy you ask? He passed out on Rachelle. One moment he's looking around. The next he's conked out. Rachelle was loving it. Having a little one asleep in your arms can be one of the most precious things...that is until you begin to feel his dead weight and your arm goes numb.









The kids had a good time and that's what I really wanted. I brought out the ball. Bart, Dylan and lil' Rod ran around chasing it. My cousin brought her mom's dogs and the kids loved petting them. You should have seen them go crazy when I busted out the bubble machine. Then my cousin did a fantastic job painting a few of the kids faces. I was really impressed with her skills. Way to go Michelle! My cupcakes were a huge hit even though they kind of started melting. Devin burried his face in my shoulder when everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Thankfully he didn't cry. And of course there was more playing in the river.




Man, I didn't want the day to end. But we were all getting tired. As tired as I was when we got home, I had to give the boys a bath. Dylan had been covered in so much dirt because of his wet clothes and he and lil' Rod were playing with the cars in it. You could feel the gravel and dirt in his hair. Yuck. After his bath and the water had drained out of the tub, there was so much dirt and grim. Ewww! But hey, that's what boys do, right? The kids passed out and I was in bed by 10! What a busy, full weekend, but it was worth it.


I think that this was the one of the best parties we've thrown for the kids. Ok, there haven't been too many since they are so young. But when I have given parties, I'm always worried that the kids, especially the older ones, are bored. This time around I could see that they were having a good time. I was on such a high when we left the park. I had a great time and was so appreciative of the people who came. I love all of them and I think their kids are awesome. Thanks Rod for manning the grill like a pro. Rachelle's daughters impress me every time I'm with them. Zaria, who I think is 11 , is a great, responsible big sister. Caris, who I believe is 8, is funny and imaginative, not your typical little girl. She found a bottle cap in the water and declared it a ring of power. I loved having little Rod there to play with Dylan. He also loved Devin's toes. Who can blame him? Little baby toes are irresistible! And the little girls that my cousin and aunt brought with them were precious and kind. Bart fell in love with them. Dylan had the two little ones pushing him in the wagon. Not much of a gentleman, huh?


All in all, I am one happy but drained mama. Now I get to rest until November when I have to figure out what to do for Dylan's 3rd birthday. I better stop thinking about it now before I start hyperventilating!

A Whirlwind of a Weekend!

What a busy birthday weekend! My little Devin celebrated his first birthday this past Saturday. My little guy is growing up. I've been running on fumes since last week. I've cleaned the house top to bottom because my mother-in-law wanted to visit this weekend for Dev's birthday. I had to clean all by myself because my husband had an "incident" at work that left his ribs really bruised. He's okay, but in no condition to help clean up. As I was rushing around the house cleaning like Rosie the robot from the Jetsons, I'd try not to give him the stink eye since he wasn't helping. Oh! I made Dev Dev a birthday shirt. It said, "It's Fun to be 1!" with a little cupcake and one candle on it. I could have bought one but I couldn't find any short-sleeved ones and it's still too hot. So I found a onesie at the Dollar Store, bought some iron on paper, created the design, printed it out and ironed that sucker on. It came out OK. I was satisfied and happy that I made it for him.



We were planning on going to the Georgia Aquarium, but since Bart was in so much pain, we scaled back our plans. Saturday, Devin's birthday, Dylan, Devin, Nana C, and I went to my favorite place, Stevi B's Pizza. Then we went to Monkey Joe's. My mother-in-law loved it! Loved the price, loved seeing Dylan run around, and loved that it was in a safe, family fun atmosphere.



After pizza and playing, Nana couldn't wait to get home and give the boys presents. She and Paw Paw (he couldn't make it down) got both of them gifts, but Dylan has been trying to claim everything. Devin doesn't mind now, but Dylan's going to have to watch out once Devin's older. I'm sure little brother won't stand for that much longer. I was so tired that I feel asleep on the living room floor while Bart helped the boys play with the toys. It wasn't the most comfortable place to nap, but it was enough to recharge my batteries and keep me going for the rest of the night.



That night Dylan, my little helper, assisted me in making birthday cupcakes. He loves to help me cook, more like get in the way and slow me down. But this time I wanted his help and he enjoyed pouring everything in the bowl and using the handmixer. Nana helped him spread the frosting on top and pour some sprinkles. By this time, Devin had a full belly from dinner and was rubbing his eyes to say that he was about done for the night. We gave him his own cupcake to tear up, but he just kind of picked at it, and then rubbed frosting all over his face. For a one-year-old, I think it was a good day.








Sunday was the big day. Picture Day! After church, we went shopping for his birthday outfit. We went to the mall and found the cutest outfit for Devin. I decided to use Olan Mills Portrait Studios because a friend recommended their services. Well, this particular studio was located in a Belk's store. As soon as we get in there, I'm trying to get Dylan to pay attention to me and hold my arm (my hands were full). He had let go at some point and then tripped over a little platform, knocking into a very tall metal display sign. It wouldn't have been so bad if the stupid sign hadn't been on wheels. The thing began to roll off of the platform. All I could do was stand there and watch it tumble over and come crashing to the ground. Oh my goodness! That was the loudest sound ever! I was so embarrassed. A sales associate came running over like an Olympic racer. She asked us over and over again if everyone was OK. I told her yes, but then both of the boys started crying because the loud bang freaked them out. I just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible.



The kind sales lady who had come running to check everything quickly led us to the studio. I bet she couldn't wait to get rid of us. When we got to the little studio at the back of the store, there were so many people waiting. It was ridiculous! There was one family taking pictures and three families waiting before us. We all began to wonder, "What was the point of making an appointment?" Our appointment was at 3:10. After we finally took Deving's pictures, picked out what we wanted and paid, it was 6:30 by the time we got to the car. What the heck! I'm proud of my boys, though. With all that sitting and waiting, they held up pretty well. I love Devin's pictures but am kind of disappointed. I keep thinking of what the pictures could have been. Devin had taken a nice long nap while we were shopping. He woke up when we were eating lunch. He was in such a good mood the whole time we were waiting our turn. He was laughing, playing, crawling, exploring, and just having a good time. But when it came time to take pictures, he was tired and ready to go. The pictures are sweet and precious because of his little smile, but they could have been a lot different if we had been able to catch his big grin and playfulness. Oh well. I still love the pics we got.


Those photography studios know how to get you. Not just Olan Mills, but Wal-mart, Picture People and so on. You go in there for one thing and with a set price in mind. They take so many pictures with different poses that you want all of them. You can't leave any of those cute pictures of your kids behind. So when you finally do leave, you've paid probably twice as much as you planned, feel guilty for spending so much but are happy that you got all those pictures of your cute kids.


Well, Nana C left this morning. Crying. I'm sure that it didn't help the situation with Dylan saying that he wanted to go with her and see Paw Paw. I had to tell him that he couldn't go this time, but we'd see them soon. I know it tears her up inside that her grandkids are so far away. But hopefully through this blog she can feel like she's able to be more in their lives.


After she left, I took a nap. Then when the boys took their nap, I took another nap. I'm feel a lot more refreshed. Unfortunately, the house is already getting messy again. Oh well...It was nice while it lasted.

To Devin...

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY!

Countdown

Guess whose turning the big O-N-E tomorrow??? My little Devin! Oh my gosh. The time has passed so quickly. So much has changed since he was born, like new jobs and a new place to live. Last year Dylan spoke "Dylanese" (a language that sounded a lot like Chinese) and didn't have hardly any hair on his head. A year later, he has such a large vocabulary and I can't get him to stop talking. Today his hair is a big mess of curls and uncontrollable. Last year my dad was in the hospital because he fell off a ladder three days before I was to give birth, broke one leg and severely hurt the other. Today he is walking with the help of one crutch and taking Dylan out to explore the world.

And what has my little Devin been doing and how has he been changing over the last 12 months? So much. He came into the world about two and a half weeks early because I was in so much pain and discomfort. I basically begged my doctor to do the c-section early. I couldn't imagine being pregnant another week in the hot August/September Atlanta weather. (This coming from a woman who loves the thought of being pregnant and who can't wait to do it again for the third and maybe final time!)

Devin came in so little weighing only 7 pounds and 15 ounces (compared to his big brother who weighed 9lbs 10oz!). Now, well he's still my little guy being on the short side, even though the boy loves to eat. He's so curious, inquisitive, funny and so many more wonderful adjectives. I love his smile and his laugh. He makes the funniest noises when trying to communicate with a lot of clicks and "Bah! Bah! Bah's" He crawls around the house so loudly that you know where he's going. He cruises around the furniture like a pro. And will take his first steps whenever he's ready.

Before I ever thought about having a second child, I would read articles about women wondering how they ever could love the second child as much as they loved their first. I thought that was craziness, but then it happened to me. I love my first born so much and I couldn't imagine loving anyone else that intensely. But then I met Devin Andrew. Wow! Talk about love at first sight. He was just so small and precious. It was meant to be. Now I can't imagine life without him. I can't even describe the feelings that rush up in me when I look at him. I thank God every day for the two precious gifts that he has given me in Dylan and Devin. I am so blessed. I say this while trying to keep these two from fighting over blocks. Oh well. It's all part of life.

Be blessed.

Fun At the Aquarium

My dad has been wanting to spend some quality time with Dylan ever since we moved out of my parents basement. Dylan is my dad's little buddy. Just about every other day my dad will call or text to see how the boys are doing. Dylan's Pop Pop is quick to show pictures and videos from his phone to anyone who will stay still long enough to look and listen . Pop Pop loves to have the two of them sit in his Ford F150 and sing Motown oldies and Gospel songs.

This past weekend Pop Pop wanted to take Dylan to the wonderful Georgia Aquarium. Of course Devin and I wanted to go since none of us have ever been. I must say it was awesome. When I got home, I felt like a little kid telling Bart (my husband stayed home because he wasn't feeling well) all of the wonderful things we saw. We saw whale sharks, a beluga whale, a hammerhead shark, sting rays, jellyfish, and all types of little and big, colorful sea creatures. So awesome!







I feel that Dylan liked this better than the zoo because the animals were so much closer. At the aquarium, there are animals right at the glass. In fact he was so entranced by one yellow fish picking up and spitting out sand that the fish almost got him into trouble for not listening. At the zoo, the animals were separated by a huge moat and so far away that it was hard for a two-year-old to show an interest. As much as he loved to pet the goats at the zoo, he really loved reaching into the water to touch the starfish, sea anemone, and sting rays. Even Devin my 11-month-old seemed interested. He would point at the glass and get excited. I did have a scary moment though. I wanted to take a picture of the beluga whale so badly and Dylan wanted to sit and climb on the rock benches. After having him sit down, I turned my back to him just for a moment. When I turned around, he wasn't there. It took everything in me not to let panic rise up in me. I called out his name and of course there was no answer. How could he even hear me with all those people being so noisy? I didn't even tell my dad that I couldn't find him. I just started searching around. Thankfully I found him a few seconds later climbing on another bench. But those few seconds of loosing sight of him was enough to make my heart stop. Oy vey!

There was so much to do and see that we weren't able to get to everything. My mother-in-law will be here at the end of the week and wants to go. You know I will be there with bells on!



Here are some pictures of our time there.

Animal-tastic!

Gosh! It's been too long since I've written on here. So much has been going on. We packed up my baby sister and took her to college the other weekend. I know she's not a baby any more, but she's my baby. She's making me feel old. I was talking to a friend and he started asking me about thinking about my boys going to school (he has two kids about the same age as mine). I told him to slow down, please! I can't even get past the thought of my guys going to 1st grade. I hope I'm not a wreck the day I take Dylan to his first school. I'll be strong for him but then probably cry once he's out of my sight. But thankfully I have a few more years to prepare for that.

This Sunday the whole family went to Zoo Atlanta. I was so excited Saturday. I prepared our lunch, picked out our church and zoo clothes, and was too excited to sleep. I knew that I shouldn't get my hopes up with how Dylan would react, but I still couldn't wait to go. After church, we talked about what we would see. Bart told Dylan we would see giraffes. He surprised us when he said, "Giraffes eat leaves." Coming from a two-year-old, those kind of things just amaze.

The zoo was having a promotion for people to get in free, so you know that the place was jammed packed. We had a good time though there were a few close calls for meltdowns because of hunger and being tired. But all was fixed with a lunch break. My mom, dad and two sisters came with us. Everyone wanted to be there for the boys first time to the zoo.

We didn't get to see all the animals. There were lion cubs on display so the big male lions were off display (no one knows what the male lions would do to them). Got to see the pandas, and even got a panda stamp (which actually caused Dylan to scream at first; that kid's got some quirks about him). The gorillas were the best. They were all out. The younger ones were chasing and playing with each other. They look so human-like that it's crazy.

The highlight of the trip for Dylan was the playground. We didn't come to the zoo to play on the playground! That's all he talked about after we finally tore him away from it. He also got on the carousel and a train! I took him on the train ride and he really enjoyed it but I could tell he was ready to get off. We went to the petting zoo too. He surprised me because he ran right up to the goats and started petting them. I thought he would freak out about it and need some encouragement. Not my boy. He brushed them and had to touch all of them. I did think that there would be more animals to pet than just goats, but for a two-year-old, that was enough.

We spent a long time at the zoo. After we left, we played in the grass on the zoo grounds. We just chased Dylan around laughing and wearing him down. By the time we left and ate a few carrots, the boy was passed out. It took about five minutes in the car and there was nothing but quiet from him. Wish I could do that!

Random Happenings

It's been a week since I published my last post. I can't even say that it's been busy or all that to eventful. So here are my random thoughts of the events of this past week.

I've got to start eating better. In one weeks time, I've eaten three times at Stevi B's Pizza! Plus, we've had fast food galore! Not only is it not healthy, but it isn't helping me lose weight. I used to be a size eight and medium B.K. (Before Kids). Now I'm two sizes above that. UGH! I know that it takes time to lose the weight after having two kids within three years, but I'm not even making much of an effort. I've bought exercise clothes, have tons of videos to workout to, know that the local YMCA has daycare while you workout, yet that still hasn't motivated me. I just look at all the old clothes that I have and can no longer fit, sigh and wish that I could fit them as I'm stuffing a Twinkie or chocolate chip cookie in my mouth. Something has gotta give (other than my waistline). When I buy new clothes, try them on and they don't fit, I wonder if I should keep them so that when I lose weight I can wear them. I'm not buying an extra large! I refuse! Nothing against those who wear that size, but that's not me. That's not I am on the inside. That's not who I want to be on the outside either. Motivate me!

As a mom you develop a sixth sense that takes time to perfect and to learn to listen to. Sometimes that little voice in you head starts talking to you, but you don't give it much thought until it's too late. My little voice was talking to me while we were at a family indoor play area, but I didn't listen and Dylan, the two-year-old, almost got seriously hurt. He's okay, but to see him fall was scary enough, and then to see him just lay there without moving, sends you into a panic. True he was playing in an area that was for kids older than him, but nothing has ever happened to him before so you don't think that anything will ever happen. Dylan kept going up and down his favorite inflatable slide without incident. My sixth sense said to me, "I wonder if any kid has come flying off the end of the slide?" He kept going up and down again and again. When we decided it was time to go, both my husband and I encouraged him to go down one more time. Of course that's the time that something happens. That's the time that he comes sliding off the end and falls on his head and neck. He rolled over and just laid there curled up in a ball. I couldn't jump up because I was nursing Devin, but Bart ran over to him. He cried just a little and then was ready to go eat pizza. Thank God he was okay. I guess it looked worse than it was. I see why they have you sign waiver forms before they let your kids play....Because I'm suing everyone! Just kidding.

When all that happened I could hear these two women sitting at the table next to me. One of them said, "Did you see that little girl, uh boy, fall off the slide?!" She kept interchange girl and boy. Apparently she couldn't tell that Dylan is a boy because of his curly hair. To me it's obvious that he's a boy. Come on already! He looks like a boy. I'm not mad at that one lady, or at anyone for that matter, but it happens often. Am I blind to something? Little kids do it, which I understand better than adults mistaking him for a girl. The thing that should give it away for sure is that he dresses like a boy. There aren't any ambiguous colors. My boys dress like boys. If I had a girl, she'd be dressed as girly as can be (until she could protest). I'm guessing, and this is probably true, that his curly hair (which turns into a huge fro if it's too hot) makes him look feminine. I don't think so, but a lot of people outside of the family seems to think so.

We've been saying for months that we need to take him to get his hair cut. I want just a trim. Bart says that it should be cut shorter. That's not going to happen! I fight hard to get those curls to shape up. I'm not going to let anyone cut them off. I don't know many two-year-old boys who have their own hair care products, but my son does. He has an arsenal of products that I take just about everywhere we go so I can keep it tamed. But they aren't they greatest. I'm still in search of the perfect product. His hair is actually three to four different textures. I like the front wavy hair. My older sister likes the middle big loose curls. And the stuff in the back is just a tangled mess that no one wants to deal with. We'll figure it all out. I'm hoping that as he gets older, his hair will change, pick a texture and calm down.

Enough about his hair. My Dylan isn't even here today. We were at my parents house yesterday. When it was time to leave, he didn't want to go; he wanted to stay and play. So my older sister, who was spending the night there, said he could stay with her. Bart and I didn't know what to do with ourselves. We didn't even do anything exciting. Bart watched the Olympics while I did an arts and crafts project. Exciting, I know! Devin just crawled around talking and being cute. We miss our big guy terribly, but the house is noticeable quieter. Devin, the 11 month old, isn't crying because someone has taken his toy or knocked him over. I can't wait for Dylan to come home today. I'm sure my parents can't wait either!

I think that's enough of my ramblings.

Fun Day Out

I took the boys out on Thursday because I kept them in the house the whole time I was braiding my hair. We did everything. We went to the park, Stevi B's Pizza, to some stores and Barnes and Noble to play with the trains. What a fun and interesting day.

We had to go to the park early because it's just too hot down here in the South to play outside during the afternoon. But thankfully there were a lot of storm clouds to keep us cool because it was stilly trying to get hot that early. I put Devin, my 11-month-old, in the swing for the first time. I feel bad because I've never thought about doing it before. Guess I was distracted by trying to keep up with Dylan. As you can see from the smile, he loved it!

I've decided to come up with some playground rules for parents. Kids have there own rules, but I think it's time for parents to have some also.

Playground Rules for Parents:

1. Let me discipline my kid. If your kid is on a ride and my kid comes up and kind of bullies him out of the way, let me tell him "No" without you saying it's OK for him to do it. I appreciate you telling me that it's OK and no harm done. I only need to hear that one time to let me know that everything is cool, but if I still insist that my child get down and wait his turn, then that's the final decision. If it's something that they can share, thank you for suggesting that, but I'm not allowing my child who might be older to take over and push the little kid out of the way. He already does that at home to his little brother and needs to learn that that's not proper.



2. Don't encourage bad behavior no matter what is going on. Case in point: if my kid who, is 2-years-old, is running around crazy and getting in everyone's way, don't defend your 7-year-old after he knocks my kid down and my husband says something to him about it. What is that teaching your son? That it's OK to knock people down if they are getting in your way and are smaller than you? And then you yell at the kids parent who is trying to protect his smaller child? Wonder what that kid is going to grow up to be?



3. Keep moving. I hate it when kids stop at the end of the slide and just sit there when others want to go down too. Or hang out in the tunnels and won't move when other kids are trying to get by. Or a kid is climbing UP the slide when others want to go DOWN. I must admit that I allow Dylan to climb up the slide when no one is around, but once other kids come around, I make sure he goes down only. Everyone just needs to keep moving right along.

Ok. That's all I got so far. Please feel free to add your own comments about how parents should act at the playground. We need rules too.

Now, I know that my kids and I don't exactly look alike (different hair color and all). I expect questions and know I'll receive comments, but this one little girl (looked about 10 years old)threw me for a loop when we were leaving Barnes and Noble. I wasn't offended at all. I actually thought it was kind of funny.

Here's our conversation:

Girl: He's got crazy hair

Me: I know

Girl: Is he your son?

Me: Yes

Girl: But he has different skin

Me: I know...(thinking of how to explain)

Girl: What's wrong with his face?

Me: He has eczema

Girl: Why?

Me: Because he's allergic to things

Girl: What?

Me: Allergies are...(tryign to think of a way to explain it)

Girl: I know what it means. But to what?

Me: Oh, a lot of things

Girl: I'm allergic to ants and spiders. And if I get bitten I've gotta go to the hospital and blah blah blah

I don't even know how we ended the conversation, but she was a talker. I appreciated her innocence in asking. What gets me are rude adults. But I'll save that rant for another day.

The Finishline!

I did it! I finally finished braiding my hair in micro-braids early this morning. It took my five days and I don't know how many hours. I'm happy with the final results. My fingers are kind of stuck in a claw form from all the braiding. Plus, there is hair everywhere in the house. Dylan has a fit when it gets on him. What a silly goose. I'm really proud of myself because I wanted to do this a long time ago but didn't think I could do it with the kids around. It was much harder, but still doable. I kept Dylan out of my hair by turning on PBS. Devin...he was another issue. He kept getting into everything: the computer, VCR, XBox, the hair, had to nurse and be cuddled. I tell you, sometime it felt like he was trying to work against me.


I already feel better about myself. I'm not saying that my self worth is in my hair, but when you feel good about your outside appearance, it changes how you feel on the inside and is reflected outwardly. I no longer have to pull my hair back into a weak, short ponytail with pieces sticking out everywhere. I can wake up, get dressed and go without having to stress about how my hair looks. This just gives me more confidence because I wasn't taking care of my hair or keeping it healthy. Half the time I looked a mess. Now that I've braided my hair it's time to make other changes. I just need to clean out my closet of all the old clothes that don't fit and go on a shopping spree! Yeah right.


By just focusing on my hair I let everything else go. My semi-messy house is now a complete mess again. I've gotta clean up today. Tomorrow, I'm turning the TVs off and taking the kids to the park early in the morning before it gets too hot. We might even go to Barnes and Noble to play with the trains. We're going to do something fun because they've been inside for day (other than Dylan going to church). Maybe we'll go to Stevi B's Pizza as a special treat. I'm just going to try to give them a fun day. We all deserve it.

Before After

A Long Road Ahead

Today is the day that I start making a change to help me feel better about myself. I'm braiding my hair in micro-braids. Why is that a big deal? Well for me it's the first step in helping me get my cuteness back. My hair is such a mess right now that I'm ready to shave it all off. Instead of taking that drastic step, I'm going to sit for hours on end, twist my body in unnatural ways to reach the back of my head, neglect my kids some (just a little, not a lot), watch plenty of TV, and braid my hair.

I learned to braid just by trying to figure it out. I've had braids probably for more years than I did not have them. I first practiced on my little sister's head. To be honest, she looked a mess. I wasn't proud of my work. Then I got it in my head that I could braid my own hair with micro-braids. I did this circa B.K. (translation: Before Kids). I would take a long weekend off from work, stay up all hours of the night and just braid. I would watch movie after movie. Everyone thought that I had gotten it done professional. I definitely can't braid as tight as the Africans when you go to a shop. You know the ones where they make you cry and have you popping aspirin like it's candy because the pain is so bad? I guess it's a good thing that I can't, huh? Who wants her head to throb for days and not be able to put her head on the pillow at night? Not me!

I honestly haven't been happy with my hair for a while. Probably not since I was pregnant with Dylan. My hair was so full and long. That was one good thing about the pregnancy. But after he was born, my hair fell out! All along the edges my hair was gone; I was almost bald! It was so embarrassing to have no hair there. It finally grew back but it's never been the same. When I got pregnant with Devin, I automatically thought my hair would grow just like before. No such luck. I think it's worse than before. It's just so unmanageable. Or it could be all my fault and I just don't take care of it any more or have the energy to take of it.

So today I start trying to braid it. I'm not sure how long this is going to take with two kids that need attention, food, drink, to nurse, take naps, need hugs and kisses, and who will probably want to investigate what I'm doing. Oh well, however long it takes I've got to get it done. We might not leave the house for a few days, or at least I won't. I'll get someone to take them out this weekend so they won't be cooped up or driving me crazy.

Yes, I have to add a picture of the kids!