Shortly after his first birthday, my mom and I took Levi to my hairstylist to have the long, clownish curls behind his ears trimmed. I had given her very specific instructions to only even out his wispy ends, not cut the top of his hair. I was used to Levi’s wavy hair being somewhat-long and didn’t feel ready for him to have a “proper” little boy haircut yet.
However, I don’t really count that July appointment as Levi’s first haircut since it was really just a trim–and because I can’t seem to find any photographs of the milestone event. I remember bringing my big DSLR camera with me but have only found a video for JB that I shot on the iPhone. He was supposed to meet us at the salon but got held up at work that evening.
If there aren’t any photos documenting an occasion, did it really even happen?
So I’m going to say that Levi’s first “official” haircut was on October 10, 2012. Unfortunately, Levi was not as happy to be there as he was in July. As soon as he saw the red swivel chair, he tightly clung to me, refusing to be put down. The only way to get him in the chair was for me to sit with him in my lap, but that compromise didn’t stop the tears. He cried into my shoulder at the first sight of the comb and scissors, leaving me feeling simultaneously sad for Levi and frustrated that he wasn’t cooperating.
Eventually, my stylist, JB and I figured out how to keep Levi happy and distracted. At least, happy enough to get the job done without any scissor-related injuries. My hairstylist played a cartoon on her iPad that she set up in front of the mirror, and JB allowed Levi to comb to his hair while he squatted at Levi’s level.
I was hoping to actually document Levi’s haircut this time around, but I wasn’t available to play photographer with him on my lap. JB snapped a couple photos until Levi started freaking, forcing him on “distraction duty.” The perfectionist/nostalgic mom/blogger in me is certainly disappointed that I don’t have photos of the event, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about being a parent it’s that you must be flexible.
I’ve also learned that toddlers have a knack for messing up the plan.
In typical Levi fashion, my baby guy was all smiles by the time scissors were put away. I stuck him on an oversize armchair outside of the salon to take a few “after” photographs, but Levi was thirsty for milk and uninterested in looking at the camera. On the plus side, I was able to capture him using his Baby Signs sign language skills, and I think you can still tell by looking at him that his hair is slightly shorter and more even all around.
Now I know why some little boys have long hair; their parents don’t want to deal with hair salon freak outs!
OMG, those pictures of his tears make me want to cry! But his baby blues are so adorable. I’m glad you were able to get some pictures, especially of him signing. That’s so cool that he can ask for things on his own now. Such a smart little baby guy!
his milk sign! great shots!
it was just by chance that i caught him on camera doing the sign for milk, but i’m glad that i did!
PJ, so funny! Your question above the second photo cracks me up. Also, Levi is turning into such a little man! He looks great with his new ‘do.
could he be any more photogenic?! what a cutie pie. also, on a related note, I love the striped top you are wearing in the photos!
Thank you! It’s from Old Navy last spring, I believe. PS: Levi says “thanks” too!
So handsome!
I totally missed the ball on Walden’s first hair cut. I wanted to hold out until his first birthday, but his dad was a major nag about it months before. We happened to be near a barber one Saturday when he brought it up again and I could see that the little dude’s hair was clearly (and annoyingly) in his eyes. I really didn’t know how to give instruction on what to do, so I left it to my husband – and we came out with a tiny little clean-cut American kid. I cried! I do have a couple of iPhone snaps, and I still have a hard time admitting when it’s time for him to get another haircut. He comes out looking like such a little boy every time! (And, he has become a really good sport about it.)
Walden is adorable, no matter how long his hair is! I just think that little boys with long, wavy hair are super cute, so that’s what I’m trying to do with Levi’s. But even I think it looks silly in this in-between stage!