Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

The hair pulling got to me. I really liked being able to wear it up or down and I was just getting comfortable with the sock bun, but the hair pulling from the twins was driving me bonkers. So was having to buy copious amounts of conditioner. And I had bangs in various lengths of growing out. And it always ended up in a bun by the end of the day anyway, so I cut it all off. Like super short. And so far, going on day four, I love it.

Before

After

Several weeks ago I saw a picture in People magazine of Paris Jackson and instantly fell in love with her haircut. I hesitated running straight to the salon because I had been growing my hair out for quite some time, was I really going to hack it all off? And I just had some ombre color done, so that would be gone. Plus, let's face it, if I cut all my hair off and I decide to grow it out again, not only will it take another four years, but I'll be on the other side of 30... My days of pulling off super long hair are numbered. There was some deliberating. I asked my coworkers for their opinion. I asked my stylist her opinion. I slept on it for many nights. But every time I saw that photo of Paris Jackson, I panged for that hair cut a bit. Finally after one incredibly hard pull and having to pry Thomas's chubby little fingers open to free my hair, I had enough and made an appointment to be rid of it.

The inspiration

As a little kid, I had the same haircut for years. My dad used to cut it. I had a typical little kid bob but with the bangs that just morphed into the rest of my hair. There was no delineation. Just one infinite loop of hair around my head that was maybe one step better than a bowl cut.... maybe. When I was finally old enough to protest, I started growing out my hair. I think that was about the fifth grade. It was also the era of scrunchies and multiple colored ponytail holders all stacked one on top of the other holding up a half ponytail on the very tip top of your head, which was helpful when growing out bangs! It was pretty long by the time I got to high school. Sophomore year I tried to cut my own wispy bangs. I don't recommend it. Junior year I cut my hair into a chin length bob. At that point I found the beauty that is Manic Panic. Then right before senior year, I saw a Lancome ad in a magazine and the model had this adorable short hair cut that I wanted to try. I brought in the ad and said I wanted my hair cut just like that. It would have been helpful to go somewhere where they actually knew how to style hair and not the $12 neighborhood place because what I ended up with was nothing like that photo. And right before senior portraits too. I'll admit - I cried a little. But hair grows. 

I went through a couple more cycles of grow it out and chop it off. Then I went through a highlighting phase. Right after I had Sofia, I highlighted my hair so many times without redoing the base color that it was as close to blonde as I think I'll ever get. As time passes, my hair gets more wavy. So naturally I tried a wear-it-wavy/curly phase. That brings us to the final grow it out, chop it off cycle. I probably cut a good 12 - 15 inches off my hair. Yes I did donate it. The salon I use does it automatically for me. (Thanks, Sole salon!) 

Long story short, (pun intended) I easily get bored with my hair. I'm really digging on this one though. I don't have to spend ten minutes in the shower trying to work through all the tangles with fist-fulls of conditioner. I can just towel dry and go if I want and it still doesn't look half bad. It's fun and funky and I'm hearing the streaks of red are a good touch. The cut really does look like the inspirational photo when it's not all fresh from the salon blow-dried. (in case you were thinking they don't look too similar) I think I might keep this look for a while. Of course, until I get bored with it. 

I'll leave you with some fun photos. 

I have my Dad to thank for this look. 

Senior Year. Not a good look. HATED IT.

Mother's Day, 2011. Best hair day, ever! (this is wavy hair phase)

The highlight phase

side by side before and after

California love

Days like today are the reason I love living in California. The kids and I visited some good friends in Santa Cruz and spent the day at Capitola Beach. It was amazing.

I am a born and raised Californian and for 98% of my life, I wouldn't have dreamed of living anywhere else. I married a Texan so there was about 2% where I actually entertained the idea of becoming a Texan myself. I refused to apply to out of state colleges. I don't even like the idea of leaving the Bay Area. During that 2%, I wondered if California is really as great as I thought it was. Maybe living somewhere else wouldn't be that bad. As the cards played out, we ended up staying here. I have always told myself the reason we paid an astronomical amount for our house in comparison to other housing markets is because its worth it to be in California. But how would I know? I've never lived anywhere else. Even so, I'm pretty sure that small window of living elsewhere has shut. It would take a lot for me to leave this place. 

Today was the quintessential gorgeous California day. Perfect sunny weather with a cool off shore breeze so it wasn't hot but not so breezy that you needed a coat. Sofia got buried in sand, splashed around in the water, saw a bunch of kelp wash up onto the shore, searched for seashells and had a grand old time playing with her brothers.The boys played in the sand, crawled around in the sand, ate the sand...

The ocean air was just salty enough to give your hair some awesome beachy waves.

The sun was shinning. The birds were chirping. The waves were crashing. 

But it wasn't just about being at the beach. In order to get to the beach, we had to go through the mountains. Well, the Santa Cruz mountains, not like we were traversing the sierras or something. Still, not only did we have a great time in  the surf and sand, we got to drive through redwoods on a curvy road with the windows down and the fresh mountain air all around us. Suburbs to mountains to the shore in less than 2 hours. 

Ah-maze-ing. That is why I love being a Californian. 

It's all about being in the outdoors and unfortunately, we haven't done a whole lot of that since the twins arrived. However, let it be known that I vow to change that. We will spend more time outdoors doing more fun stuff. More beach days. More camping. More exploring. More snow, more sun, more rivers, lakes and streams. More mountains and forests. More living. Because Sofia is starting to get soft. She once backpacked with us making the whole 3 or 4 mile trek to the lake on her own. Sure it took forever, but she did it! I want to make sure she can still do it. And the boys too. Because what's the point of being in California if you aren't going to experience the reasons why it is amazing. 

I Know I Have My Hands Full.

When we had Sofia, I was determined not to allow the fact that I now have a baby to keep me from doing things. And it didn't. I went everywhere with her in tow. Since I did a bunch of baby wearing, it was easy to just strap her to me and go. It also means I've tried every baby carrier under the sun, but that's a whole other blog post. I never adjusted my days to ensure she was home at nap time. It also helped she didn't have a nap time. When she was tired, she slept. When she was hungry, she ate. So it was easy going places because she would deal. And to this day, she is an awesome traveling companion. We can drive hours in the car and she doesn't complain one bit. Just ask Adam. He took a road trip with her all the way to Texas and back and she complained less than he did!

Now that we have the boys, it's a little more difficult to go places, but I still don't let it stop me. They are just going to have to deal with a mom who keeps the roads hot (as Adam's stepmom would say). And they do pretty darn good too. I don't do as much babywearing as I'd like, especially now because they are 20 pounds a piece, but between the plethora of strollers and carriers, I adjust how we travel based on the situation. Most of the time, they are in their double stroller. Sometimes, I'll be wearing one in a sling or an Ergo and the other will be in a single stroller. On a rare occasion, I'll double-up the Ergos and wear both at the same time. But it doesn't matter how we are traveling, we get stares and comments.

An older photo, but you get to see what double Ergo wearing looks like. 

I don't think seeing three kids out with their Mom running errands or doing whatever is that surprising. Three does not seem like an outrageous number of children. I don't think I'd bat an eyelash at a mom with her three darlings in tow. So I don't know what it is about me by myself with my three that makes us instantly become a pity party.  Is it because of the twins? I do admit our side-by-side stroller can be described as a monstrosity, but I'm sure moms with two young ones close in age still use double strollers. So why do I get the, "You've got your hands full!" comment?  I've gotten used to it by now. Occasionally there will be someone who makes a comment that rubs me the wrong way, but for the most part I just smile and move on.

An even older photo, but you get to see the double stroller in action. 

Yesterday the plan was to do our regular Costco shopping trip, but Sofia ended up taking a late afternoon nap and by the time we finally got out there, it was closed. I now know Costco closes at 6 on Saturdays. Too bad I found that out the hard way after getting all the kids strapped into the cart and finding the door closed.... at 6:02... So change of plans. We still had to do some grocery shopping, but we were all hungry so I decided we needed to get something to eat first. Sweet Tomatoes sounded good. We've done Sweet Tomatoes with the stroller before, but I didn't want to deal with it, so I did the double Ergo and carried the boys. That way I had both hands free to finagle with the tray and once we sat down, they'd be in high chairs so it wouldn't be that bad. I mentally prepared myself for the comments... "Wow, you've got your hands full!"

But it wasn't like that at all. It was by far the best experience I've had being out with all the kids by myself. It was refreshingly the opposite of what usually happens. There was the nicest lady with her family behind us in line. I'll call her Lovely, because that's what she was. It was too busy to seat ourselves so we had to wait to be seated. While waiting for a table to clear, I figured since the drink bar was right in front of where we were waiting, I had better get my drink before sitting down so it would be one less thing to have to get later. I told Sofia to stay right here with the trays so I could get my drink and Lovely said, "Don't worry, I'll watch her." But not in a creepy, I'm About to Walk Off With Your Kid kind of way. It was genuinely sincere. I was three steps away anyway, but thank you. We chatted for a while about how friendly Sofia is. Then when we finally sat down, Lovely and her family ended up getting seated right next to us. Sofia instantly said hello again. "If you need anything, you just let me know," Lovely said. Then after a good ten minutes or so, she came over to the table. "Do you need anything while I'm up?" I did need a refill of lemonade, but I wasn't about to ask her. It was so nice that she offered though.

Our table happened to be by the bathroom, so there was quite a bit of foot traffic. I overheard a couple people note the twins to each other in passing. Nothing I'd internally roll my eyes at. No, You've Got Your Hands Full comments. One lady came up to me and said , "As a random mom of a single kid, is there anything I can get you?"  Thank you but not really. I was doing great. The boys were in their high chairs enjoying dinner. Sofia was sitting down picking at hers. Everyone was doing great. No screaming or crying at all. Since we were going right to the car, I opted to just put Thomas in the Ergo and let Jacob hold my hand and (slowly) walk out of the restaurant. Lovely offered to help again. "Do you need help getting the other one on your back?" Thank you, but no, I'm going to let him walk. On the way out we did get a, "Oh you are so blessed!" which I'll take over a I have my hands full any old day. It was paired with a "I hope you are breast feeding them all" which was a bit awkward. Oh well.

I was overjoyed to make it out of the restaurant without the hands full comments. I rubs my the wrong way when people make that comment. Do you not think I know that my hands are full? I'm reminded that my hands are full every single dingle day. I have a little kid and twins. My hands are usually literally full - holding Sofia's hand and pushing a stroller. So a hint for any of you. When you are out an about, if you see a mom with lots of kids, especially a mom of multiples, don't tell her her hands are full. She knows. Instead, be a little supportive and offer to help. Can I get the door for you? Is there anything you need? Can I give you a hand? If it's me you run into, chances are I'll politely decline your offer. But it will mean the world to me that you were willing to help. I know I'm going to continue making an effort to be a Lovely when I'm out an about. And I hope that's not the only Lovely I'll ever run into.