Xander Week 28 - First Haircut
March 30, 2007
Ever since Xander was born, everyone has commented on his hair - he was born with a full head, and never seemed to loose too much of it. Six months later, his hair continues to grow of course, and it was starting to fall into his eyes, and over his ears. So last weekend we asked my mother-in-law to cut his hair (it should be noted that although she is a teacher by trade, she is the designated barber for almost all of the men in the family, and even some close friends). As his hair has grown, it has started to come in blonde, and I often joked about his blonde roots. When all of his hair was finally trimmed, it was almost shocking - he went from being a brunette baby to a blonde baby in a matter of minutes. He looks so much older now with his “big boy” haircut. Although his hair is still soft, it’s not that soft baby hair that we couldn’t resist touching when he was a newborn. The first haircut was a rather bittersweet experience - it’s exciting that he’s getting older and bigger, etc., but it’s sad that this one little piece of his infancy has been cut away…
Did ya save any locks?? And put them into a plastic bag to show at his wedding?? hehe just kiddin’
Hi Sara - I just found your blog while looking up some info (I’m in week 37 of my first pregnancy - we’re having a boy too). Thanks for sharing all your personal moments with ‘the world’! It’s very helpful for a new mom-to-be to read about what’s coming up. Your son is absolutely adorable, and it sounds like the 3 of you are making a wonderful family together. Thanks again and best wishes ! Enjoy springtime with your little guy!
Ohhh Sara! He just gets cuter and cuter all the time!
Make sure you save some of those baby locks….
Hope all is well and its warming up there…
~Katie
Sara, he is adorable!
I have to tell you, my mother in law is a hairdresser and has Cameron three days a week, while Ray and I work. Cameron was born with no hair and has very little even now, well it is hard to see. But I didn’t have my first haircut till I was 2! I never had much hair, luckily I do now.
Anyway, last year, I can’t even remember when, I called to check up on Cameron as usual. She told me he had his first haircut! Oh, I almost died! My eyes immediately started to fill up. I am working full time and would hear about his new word or action and get depressed over everything I was missing, and the one thing I could control and be there for, she did without me there! I got off the phone with her, and since my mother works at the same company, I went over to her desk and just started bawling! I was so upset! I love my mother in law, she is very sweet and excellent with all the grandkids, but sometimes I don’t think she thinks before she does things (I could go on and on here). So needless to say I had to go and pick Cameron up and try and relate how I felt to her. She took out the digital camera and sat him down and went over his hair again so I could get some pics. She had saved some of his hair also in an envelope (the first time she cut it) and dated it, so that is in his baby book. I felt better….but it was so hard to know I missed that too. I am so glad your was such a positive experience!
Do you have a topic on here for people with problems dealing with their relatives doing things with your child that you might not agree with? I would love to chat with some people who might have a similar problem. I mean it isn’t a major problem, she will just say oh he loved my iced coffee, or he had a sip of my TAB today (this aggrivates my husband as well)! Its funny because she has him doing things he might not be ready for, drinking out of a cup, potty training, etc. My mother is the opposite and still mashes up his food and stuff, I am the happy medium. Cam likes to eat on his own and be a big boy…etc.
Anyway, let me know if you have similar problems or if there is a related blog or topic out here on your site.
Thanks!
Lee Anne
Hi J - yes, I did save a lock in a plastic bag. I hasn’t really thought about the wedding - I figured his prom date would be embarrassing enough - but the wedding is a good idea too (hehe).
Hi DCE - I’m glad you are enjoying the site. We actually had quite a bit of discussion about what to blog before I began blogging pregnancy and parenthood. Ultimately, we decided that it’s a great way for our friends and family to stay updated (especially the ones who live far away), and it’s almost better than a scrapbook - it’ll never get damaged or worn down by age, and we can always look back at it to see what I was thinking/feeling from week to week. On top of that, I’ve gotten some great advice through comments, and even met some new friends
It’s all been a very positive experience, and I’m glad that others enjoy it as much as I do!
Hi Katie! I did save some locks, but as far as warming up goes, I think that is going to take some more time… It’s April 13th, and we’ve got about 6″ of snow from last night, and they’re predicting another big storm (2 feet range) on Sunday. I guess we’ll be bundled up and hibernating for a few more weeks!
Hi Lee Anne - I can only imagine how I would feel if I missed a first haircut (or any other event that I could control like that). It is always a delicate balancing act that we do with our in-laws. I have to say though, that as far as in-laws go, I couldn’t ask for a better set. We get along great, and every time I hear another in-law horror story, I give a big sigh of relief that I’m at least off the hook for that headache! It is a good topic suggestion, and I’ll definitely get a post out about it soon - thanks!
Hi everyone,
I’m so glad I searched and found the message posted by Lee Anne. Even though her experience happened over a year ago, I can relate. My in-laws were taking care of my 11-month-old daughter this past weekend. When we went to pick her up, we noticed her hair had been cut. My mother-in-law is NOT a professional hairdresser and my daughter’s hair looked as though it had been hacked off by a child! I was shocked and held by baby tightly as my eyes filled with tears. This wasn’t the first time my in-laws have done something without consulting us, but we never expected them to cut her hair. She hardly has any to begin with and we’ve been waiting for it to grow longer before cutting it. My mother-in-law didn’t even take pictures or save any hair. When my husband and I expressed that we were upset and that she should’ve asked us first, she proceeded to throw the diaper bag at us and kick us out of her house. She also told us not to ask her to take care of our daughter again. Needless to say, my husband said that wouldn’t be a problem as they hardly ever take care of her anyway. This was only the 2nd time they’ve had her since she was born. My husband already called and left a message apologizing for losing his temper (I had already escaped to the car with our baby when he blew up at them), but he was hurt by the comments his mother said. We haven’t heard back from them at all and they’re not seeing our daughter until they apologize….not so much for the unauthorized haircut, but for the rude comments and behaviour. All we needed was an apology….just an “I’m sorry I cut her hair without asking you first. I didn’t realize it would be that important to you. I’ll make sure to consult you in the future.” Was that too much to ask? Anyway, enough venting for now…
Hi Jen,
Reading comments like yours always make me so much more appreciative of my in-laws. I can’t even imagine something like that happening in our family. It’s awful, and I’m so sorry that you and your baby got sucked into that sort of situation. It is nice to hear that your husband stood up to his parents though, and made it clear where his priorities are. Hopefully they come to their senses sometime and apologize. It’s unfortunate that they will miss out on your daughter growing up, but it’s their loss…