My Hair Education

So here is how the 'ol hair routine is going around here lately. Elsa and Nyah have drastically different hair types (if you haven't already noticed). Nyah has silky corkscrew curls and Elsa has zigzag curls that love to entangle themselves. But, in my eyes, both hair types are equally amazing. 

The 'ol go to detangler method I have been using to fix Ny's hair just wasn't doing the trick one Elsa's. And please let this serve as an instruction manual for Elsa's hair care in case I am ever not capable of caring for her hair.

We wash Elsa's hair on Sunday, and just stop right there. She bathes daily but her hair gets washed just once a week. By mid week her hair is a tangled mess and aside from leaving it up or braided all the time, nothing seemed to be working to tame her mane, and George loves her hair big and beautiful and free. Her hair has also been breaking off around the front of her hairline adding to the frizzy mess. 


I knew I was doing something wrong in caring for her hair. So I went on a mad Google and YouTube search to educate myself on her hair type so I could in turn teach her and hope that she will always love her hair and never turn to chemicals to straighten it. Not that chemicals are bad, I just happen to think her curls are super special. And little did I know that there is a whole natural hair revolution out there. 


My go to website has become UrbanBushBabes. One of the co writers happens to have Elsa's exact hair type so I have learned so much from this woman.


So here is Elsa's routine on wash days.

• Finger comb through her hair to remove any major mess.
• Wet hair and add clarifying shampoo- no sulfates! Distribute shampoo to create lather by pulling straight down on hair to avoid more tangles. (We use Queen Helene Stay Clean Shampoo- Whole Foods.)
• Add deep conditioner or leave in conditioner and let sit while she plays, pours, splashes, and bickers with her sister.
• Rinse.
• Lightly dry hair with towel but not too much, water makes combing easier.
• Add Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl and Style Milk (Target), give her her blankey and comb through hair with wide tooth comb. Never use a brush. Work in sections and be gentle. Though her hair looks big and bad, it is actually pretty fragile.
• Apply flax seed gel and comb through (recipe below).
• Seal the deal with an oil mixture.
• Kiss her cheek and send her on her way.

Flax seed gel is by far the coolest product I have discovered from my search. I picked up some whole dark flaxseeds (linseed) at Whole Foods. You can find the entire flax seed gel recipe here. 


It was so fun to make this product and I had no clue the potential of flax seed. But if you mix flax seed + H20+ heat, a perfect gel is released that holds curls without the crunch or product build up feeling. Here is a photo as I strain the gel from the flax seed after heating the mixture. Pretty thick.

I also added tea tree oil, lavender oil for smell, and aloe vera gel. It makes all the difference in Elsie's hair. No more frizz! I will most definitely be using this on my hair for curly days.

Life in the hair department is so much easier for Elsa now that I know what I am doing. Combing is less painful and it is so much easier to mix up her style mid week now since the tangles aren't as bad.


Finally, I tried to tie their hair with silk scarves last night to avoid tangle buildup during the night but the novelty wore off and the scarves came off.  I will be picking up some silk or satin pillow cases to avoid tangles or breakage of hair at night.

And there you go. Elsa's new hair routine and evidence that I give her hair more attention than I have ever given my hair, but she is totally worth it. 

The Backyard

Though the color of the water in their lives has changed a bit, it still seems to have the same appeal. 

Water has such a way of drawing them in. Today, to do some "fishing". 

This is the body of water behind our house and up until this point, we had not let them get down and dirty in it yet. There is a steep incline heading to the water where they have the opportunity to build some speed. I have such fear that one might run straight in since we don't have a fence up to prevent this, yet.  (And now you know what I think about at night when the lights go out.)

But yesterday after they had had their share of picking flowers weeds to give each other and me, chasing each other, and squinting into the sun, I finally gave in. The worst that could happen is that one would go in and I would just have to stand up and go in after them. Big deal. 

How could an island momma have a fear of the water for her children you ask? Well, I don't know. It happens. Maybe because they aren't strong swimmers and I usually don't have all hands on deck since Jude has staked claim to them, and since the water is now in our backyard. Who knows? But this reminds me that I must get around to scheduling those swim lessons. For my sanity.


But I am so glad I dropped my fears for that moment because they had so much fun being kids. Must check myself more often. 

I Can't Believe I am Writing This

As I dropped Nyah off to school one morning last week, her teacher rushed out and started picking through her hair with absolutely no warning. I was a little taken aback but before I had time to ask questions she broke the news to me. Another student's mother had just called and revealed that the boy had... lice. 


As in head lice. 


As in bugs crawling around in his hair and reproducing. So she was checking each kid before letting them enter school and I thought that was that. Thought she was nippin' the bugs in the butt and avoiding an epidemic of grossness.


Jump to yesterday afternoon, as we entered school to pick Nyah up. The teacher breezed by me and nonchalantly just happened to mention to me that she wasn't sure if I knew, but five kids now have lice now, no big deal. 

Um, what? FIVE?! Which at this point means bugs must live in the school and could be taking up residence on us as we speak? 

I immediately wanted to grab my children, pick them up under my arms and run the heck out of there. I am not sure what shocked me more, the thought of my children having lice or the fact that she had no doubt we would have to cut the girls' hair if they contracted the little problem.

I'm itching as I type this.


Can you even imagine if either of our girls got lice? Do you realize how much hair they have? I mean, it's a struggle to comb Elsa's hair with a regular comb, let alone a fine tooth one. When I say that washing hair and combing night is a big in our house, I mean its a huge, has to be scheduled in advanced and takes a good hour of our lives to complete. Combing our girls' hair with a fine tooth comb would result in WWIII & WWIV up in here and is not a battle I ever,ever want to wage. 

So I don't know if I should take this as a sign that the over priced preschool is dirty or just roll with it as one of those things that happens in schools and a part of childhood. And for the record, the school is great and I am sure the teacher is living out one of her greatest nightmares that could ever occur in her sweet school. 


The teachers explained that this was the first "outbreak" in nine years and the best thing to do to avoid the problems was to put product in the girls' hair because the bugs do not like dirty hair. And at that point, even the teachers and the assistants were in the restroom showing off their sprays and products to me which they apply each morning as some sort of defence. 


So I just said a little thank you to myself, as we bolted out of there, that our girls have the hair they do which can't be washed more than once a week (you think we're weird now) unless really dirty. Because I am convinced Nyah's only defense against infestation (I don't even like that word) are her dirty curls. 


And you better believe she left for school this morning with her hair completely loaded with lotion, serum, oil and hairspray in hopes that she doesn't bring any little friends home. And I thought we just moved away from all the bugs I could ever want in my life.

She asked what I was doing as I obsessively drenched her hair in any and everything I could get my hands on. My reply was something along the lines of, "Bugs. Don't want to let the bugs get in your hair." I can't wait to see how she repeats this information as her imagination runs wild with it all day.

And I can't believe I am writing this because our family that is en route to our house for the holidays suddenly just realized that something has come up and they won't be able to make it. 


Seriously guys, no issues here. I promise. Please, don't turn around.

Freckles

Nyah and I had the most interesting conversation the other day while were chilling on the couch, enjoying our alone time together, conversing about life while the two other young-ins' were napping. The conversation was going really well when she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks and with such concern asked me, "Mom, what is on your face?" 


I immediately started whipping around my mouth thinking I had chocolate or ketchup or who knows what on my face. I am kind of a mess lately. And she was all, "No, there. What is that on your face?" And I kept wiping and asking, "What, where?" And honestly I was getting a little nervous because she was looking right at something.  


"Dots," she said. "You have polka dots on your face."


"Ohhhh. No babe, those are called freckles."


After a little giggle from her, we were on to the next topic. Probably something about tying a rope to her new house so she could pull it or something. She is big on this idea lately and I am afraid I don't quite get what she is talking about. But I'm trying.


So yesterday I was packing up and organizing and cleaning behind the couches (hello, total jackpot by the way for Nyah, she had a serious reunion with her toys each time I would move the sofa to reveal her long lost doll shoes and blocks and everything else) when I finally realized Nyah had wondered off and was being way too quiet for way too long. I finally called for her and out of the bathroom she finally came with the cutest little smirk on her face. 


"Look Mommy, I look like you now."

Sometimes I wonder if she is listening. But I am quickly learning that she is listening. To everything.


And so this is how she spent the rest of yesterday and part of today because she of course picked the special kind of markers to make her freckles. The kind that doesn't wash off with soap and water or even vigorous rubbing. 


Oh how I love this creative and funny little freckled face girl. 

Moments of Firsts: Braids & Socks

This sweet little girl got her first set of braids the other day. 

I am not sure what made her decided to actually sit still long enough for me to do something with her hair, but I will take it. There may or may not beens some bribing involved in the from of foam soap and toothpaste, but once I got started, I was determined. 

While her sister absolutely loves getting her hair done, Elsa isn't into it so much. And I am not into torturing her so she usually just has curly/frizzy hair which I of course think is adorable, but her Aunt doesn't quite agree, and prefers her hair like this. And though she has tried to teach me how to properly fix Elsa's hair, she knows I am not listening. So these braid are for you Aunty Cline, I am not a total failure in the hair department. 

And as I look at Elsa in all of her braided glory, I can't believe how old she looks. 

If you are reading this post from Indiana, you are probably thinking I must be crazy for having my child in a dress because of the shocking shiver the air has to it. But if you are reading this from Indiana, you also understand that just three days ago, this was the proper attire for a kid when it was one hundred degrees out. The weather here is totally bipolar and confused. 


But today, oh no, today we have clothes on. Lots of them. Because it is very cold outside and the kids just keep looking at me when were out like, "What the heck is this?" 

And though my inner workings are feeling nostalgic remembering the feeling of a proper season change, my better self knows things could change tomorrow and it could the sun could be blazing again. But Elsa is happy with the cold because it caused us to bring the socks out, another first for her, and let me just say, she is in love.

And though I am tempted to pick up a few extra warm weather clothes for the girls, I think we will just make do with what we have because I don't trust Indiana weather and who knows what in this world Louisiana has in store for us. I guess I could just look at a Louisiana forecast but that is too simple, too modern. I prefer a good surprise.

Her Hai-yer Do

She has been picking out her own clothes and dressing herself for quite sometime now, and I must say, she usually does a pretty good job. But yesterday, after she had spent a significant amount of time in the bathroom, quietly (scary), I finally inquired by yelling across the house, of course, what she was doing in there? She quickly replied, "Fixing my hai-yer!" (Yes, she has started speaking a little Indiana, as opposed to her usual Cruzan, which is my cue that it is time to leave, asap.) 


After some more time passed, this is what strutted proudly out of the bathroom. 

Nicely done Nyah. I am just relieved no scissors were involved.

And off to the store we went.

Jude Photos

It has become my new life mission to get a good photo of Jude. Its hard work I tell ya. I don't have one of those fancy quick shooting cameras so by the time the focus and multiple flashes go off on my old camera, Jude has already looked away, the moment long gone. Believe it or not, he is smiling. I will try my hardest to get some proof soon because that smile. Oh my. It's so adorable.

So, in pursuit of my mission, I decided to lay Jude on the ground in the living room yesterday to try to get some some shots. 

I honestly can't believe that was his first time I laid him out to relax on a blanket, kick around and explore his surroundings. But after about one-second of having him out on the ground in the wide, unprotected open, I now know why. 

Our girls, they are amazing. No matter where they are in the house, the moment Jude hits the ground, they come a running. I think they have the ability to sense an unprotected baby who needs to be mothered and smothered to the max. And smother they did, oh how they love their baby bruder. 

It actually took two grown adults to take this photo. Me snapping and my grandmother with all hands on deck, protecting Jude's precious head from unintended blows from well meaning little girls who are always going in for the full mouth to mouth kiss. They want to kiss him on the lips and will settle for nothing less. It was little stressful but I got a few shots (thanks Nan). 

And big sister was too busy in iPad-ville to participate in the photo shoot, but she is never too busy to mother her bruder (thank goodness).

Sharing Memories

How it warms my heart to see my girls run and play and ride in the same exact spot I did for so much of my childhood. 

Though the trees we used to climb are a little bigger,

and a bit more magical...

 ...the girls are still finding their way, facinated by pine cones on this particular day. They collected tons. 

Nothing better than (great)grandmas house. Kind of our Indiana equivalent to this special spot.

Having a Moment

When Elsa woke from her nap yesterday her sister was out of the house, on a special outing with Nana. Elsa's first mission of the afternoon, after having her required snuggle time with Momma, was to head for the boots. Big sisters boots. Though Elsa has her own pair, she seemed to be in a rush, obviously knowing this might be her only chance get a moment with something her sister rarely takes off. 

(If you took a peak in our backyard in the mornings, you would see Nyah outside playing in the eighty or ninety degree weather in long pants, raincoat (with hood up) and rain boots. It's quite a sight. She still has this total fascination with warm weather clothes. Little island girl is clueless)

We have officially arrived at the point in this sibling relationship where if one has something, the other just has to have the same thing. So it's a good idea to buy identical items for these two because, never fails, they both always wants what is "it" for that moment. Hours of bickering (or Nyah taking things ripping things from Elsa's little hands (we're working on it)) can be avoided, which is like a total vacation in Fiji for my brain. If the colors of the "it" item vary slightly, it's okay. Elsa is still totally cool with the left overs after Nyah has picked the optimal color or pattern. Not sure how long it will take Elsa to put a fight for first pick but right now I am so thankful for her willingness to comply, thankful anytime I can avoid having to break out my referee skills. 


This formula didn't work out too well with the boots though because Elsa still spent the afternoon romping around in Ny's boots, stomping, tripping and of course looking at her feet constantly, absolutely beaming with pride, enjoying her moment in her sisters shoes. 

I have to admit I was totally like, "Have your moment Elsa, live it up in those boots because Nyah will be home soon and then it will all start, again." And that she did.

Oh the rough life of the younger sibling. I think I see a pattern here and here, or maybe Elsa just really loves shoes (or her big sister).




*As I was typing this post, Nyah came over and of course asked why Elsa had her boots on. Will it ever end?

His First Month

Congrats Jude, you did it, you're four weeks old (yes, I know, I am one day late). Your life right now is slow and sweet, eating all the time and sleeping a ton during the day even with your loud sisters running around, screaming, poking you and constantly mothering you to death. I am convinced you could sleep though anything, during the day. At night it's a whole different story, sadly enough you have already had a runny nose, probably brought home by you sisters from story time and given to you by the million kisses they shower you with each day. So its no surprise that you prefer sleeping sitting up and thats okay because its also no surprise that I enjoy snuggling with you 'til the break of dawn.


Four weeks ago I was wondering when you were going to join us, wondering what exactly you were waiting for. Your official due date was June 27th but I guess you weren't ready. The doctor measured you via ultrasound the Tuesday before you came and said that you were probably around 9lb 4oz but I convinced him I didn't think you were that big and to give me more time to have you without help from him because I felt so good. You gave me some great power and energy when I was carrying you with me, thank for that by the way. 


You still hadn't made your appearance four days after your due date so at 5 am, Daddy and I headed to the hospital so you could get a little wake up call and be forced to come into the world. We arrived at the hospital and they started giving me the medicine to make you come. 


Time passed and Daddy watched Sports Center and we hung out waiting for the contractions and then the contractions became strong and I had to close my eyes and concentrate to get through each one, but I welcomed the pain knowing that each contraction brought me one step closer to you. 


A few more hours later the contractions became really strong and I needed Daddy to help get through each one. I couldn't sit still, I was hot, sweaty and grumpy. I wanted Daddy to stand in a certain spot and he had to take his sweatshirt off because the fabric hurt my face. I had to have the shades closed on the window, wanted privacy though no one could have seen us with our awesome roof top view. I was ripping all monitors off, wanted my IV out, (though your Dad persuaded me to chill out) wanted nothing on me, nothing touching me. I had the sweetest nurse named Michelle with the calmest voice who also helped though this rough part. 


So I finally felt ready to push, that strong undeniable to urge to push, and the doctor came in and was all, "Lets have a baby!" and I didn't really care if he was ready or not because I was. I was so unbelievably out of my mind ready to meet you. 


So with two big pushes from somewhere deep in my soul, on Friday, July 1st, at 11:43 am, out you came and all I could do was fall back in my bed with relief and from absolute exhaustion. The doctor took one look at you and said, "This is a ten pound baby," and he was right on. He handed you to me with your swollen, sweet face and those juicy lips and that was it, I was a goner. You were pure perfection, the sweetest boy ever.  

You came home from the hospital on a Sunday and you were thrown right into this crazy life. You came home without a hat because your head was a little big for those tiny little hats they give out at the hospital. Don't worry, they weren't cute anyway. Your sisters took to you immediately. I honestly can't believe how much they adore you, it's so beautiful to see. Basically, there is a whole lot of love floating around here right now. 

Notice the doll in his chair.

Nyah can't stop professing just how cute her baby brother is, I don't know how many times I have heard, "He's soooo cute, my baby bruder is sooo cute." She also thanks God for you each evening as she prays before we eat dinner, "Thank you for our food and thank you for my baby bruder, AMEN".

Elsa is precious and the tenderness she treats you with doesn't seem possible for someone her age. She caresses you with the gentlest touches and is never too rough. You are now the only person in the house she will kiss, the rest of us just get her cheek. If you are crying, she announces to the whole house, "Crying!" Lately she has been calling you, "Big boy," which she has shortened to just, "Boy". And just today, she has stopped calling you Boy and now calls you, "Judah". I am not really sure what she will end up calling you in the end, seems she is just testing a few names out for now. 

The first thing everyone notices about you is just how big you are and let me be the first to say, you are huge. You have a healthy appetite, love to nurse, and I just can't believe how wonderfully you are growing. You are heavy and I can't wait to see how much you weigh at your next doctor appointment because you feel like fifteen pounds.


So that's you first four weeks of life little guy, you are the perfect addition to our family and our lives. We are in love George Jude, and we are so glad you've come.

Guess Who?

Our days our have been passing sweetly, spent giving as much love as possible to all of our babies. A full mutual tag team effort by George, my mom, grandmother and I to make sure all have adequate attention and remain in their routine, not to disrupt lives too much. Its hard with lack of sleep and a new person in the house to get to know but we are loving every minute and falling into our new routine. 


I couldn't ask for more from the sisters, they are adoring their brother more by the minute with no hint of jealously, even from Elsa. Its quite amazing, not sure what I expected but her independence hasn't wavered with the arrival of Jude. They are siblings and their love for each other is something we should all take lessons in, pure love. They express their affection in heart warming ways to little baby bruder Jude constantly. 


As I look at him and get to know him, there is something so familiar about him yet so different. Can you guess which baby is who? 

I see more of them in each other than I recognize George and I in any of them. They are the best of each other.
  
We are so content and happy with the three photos above and perfectly certain that I can confidently say shop closed with no prediction of regrets later down the road. We are a family and we are complete. We have our hands full, literally, (which I have a feeling is pretty obvious by my lack of writing, I have never been good at one handed typing as my other is forever full). In time I hope I will be able to get back to documenting this amazing life but in the mean time I am feeling thankful daily, we have been blessed beyond words.

Photos above:

Nyah

Elsa

Jude

Mother's Day Tradition

As I am sitting here so early in this morning (no sleeping in for me) looking at my Mother's Day card, I can't help but wonder, does it get much better than this? 


To me, there is no more perfect occasion for a homemade card or gift than Mother's Day. This is one of the events of motherhood I have always imagined and looked forward to because I always took creating homemade treasures for my mom pretty serious as a kid and so far I have not been let down as Nyah is arriving to this sweet age. 


The gifts, cards, pictures, masterpieces she has given me have far exceeded my expectations of this anticipated moment. These gifts are priceless. To me, and I am sure I am speaking for many mommas out there, there is nothing better than a homemade gift from the heart and hands of the little ones you love most. The hard work of those little fingers, the thought, the dedication and the pride (she had to give me this on Friday when she got home from school, just couldn't help herself), there is nothing more rewarding.

Each year, Nyah's teachers helps the students make cards like these for Mother's and Father's Day and they are perfect. Words spoken straight from the mouth of the little one, word for word.  So we all now see what Nyah's priorities are in life are; juice, candy, and lipstick. I am actually surprised she didn't mention Nana's name in here somewhere, another one of her main obsession in life. 


So, Happy Mother's Day to all. Enjoy celebrating the woman who brought you into this world, today and everyday.


P.S. Happy Mother's Day, Mom, your homemade card is in the mail.

Detangler: Our Lifesaver

Where would I be without this product?

Since I a big fan of leaving our girls' curls natural and free, instead of like this, detangler has become my go to product. Yes, something as simple as detangler makes my life, our morning routine, and most importantly, my girl's hair lives go a lot smoother. I admit, I am nothing without this product, the matted curls blessing our girl's head would dominate me each morning and our children would end up with hair like the cat at Nyah's school. They call her Rasta Kitty and she gets her name honestly.


Rasta Kitty is an old, old cat who has outlived many previous owners. She is definitely living each of her nine lives to the fullest and her hair seems to be her ultimate proof of this. She is a cat who adventures both inside and outiside of the school and her long greyish hair is matted into little locks, which is where she gets her name, obviously. All of the children love Rasta Kitty, (not so sure the feeling is mutual though).


Not sure the kids would be so kind if we left Nyah's hair to the elements each morning, though they probably wouldn't notice. Dread locks would be the ultimate result if I did not have the daily battle with the beautiful curls on top of our girls' heads. It doesn't matter if we wash it and comb it nice the night before, braid it before bed, or wrap it before bed, they will wake up with matted hair which isn't really the most conducive environment for a brush. So, I get out the detangler and go to town I am so thankful for this product. I can't even get into if they took a dip in the salty Caribbean, there is nothing to do but wash their hair using almost a bottle of conditioner.


We aren't loyal to one brand of detangler, just relieved when the few grocery stores here are stocked with this product, as with most stuff here, we take what we can get. And just for the record, this is what Nyah's hair looks like when I brush it when it dry without detangler. Yeah. And by the way, she still prefers her hair to be braided.


My next challenge in the hair department will be our little boy's hair. Maybe his dad will just chop it off but I know the treehugger in me will be rallying strong and I won't want to cut his hair and managing his curls will no doubt be a challenge. The look of Rasta Kitty might be in his future.

Tirty Two Weeks

It's pronounced "tree" here. As in, Nyah is tree years old, its tree o'clock, tirty tree cents is your change, and we will soon have tree chilren dem'.

But I will still only have two arms so I am wondering how I will accomplish all of the hugs, snuggles, squeezes and pats these two girls so love need. (Okay, who am I trying to kid here? I can't keep my hands off them).


When one wants to sit in my lap, the other is never far behind. I am sure this will only be personified when baby bruda arrives because Elsie (as her sister calls her) is pretty into snuggling, with two fingers in her mouth and blanket by her face. Baby bruda protruding in the way or not, she finds her spot. Obviously the little guy gets his fare share of nudges as these little bodies try to get comfortable.


But, I guess thats what awesome dads like George are for. Because combined we will have four arms and then we will outnumber the tree of them. Four arms will be enough arms for anyone and everyone to be held and loved on, all around, all the time. Tree will be okay, we can do this. Right?

Walking Shoes

Where will they go, who will they be, what challenges lie in their pathes. What does life have in store for these two beautiful girls? 


Whatever their journeys bring, I hope they remain as devoted, close and patient with each other as they show to be at times, times like these. 

Little sister trying to walk in big sisters shoes.

Big sister helping little put "The Converse" on, as she calls them, then trying to once again master the entire process of putting on shoes. The tie. 

She tries and tries again. At home and at school, slowing our every departure with her multiple attempts. Practice, practice, obsessive practice.

And little sister waits patiently and my mind wonders, contemplating the questions above, my soul at ease in a calm and peaceful smile, enjoying the moment with my most beloved. I then focus in on the situation and notice this. 

Hear the angels sing. Behold the accomplishment. She has done it. She tied the shoe. The first I've seen. 


Way to go wonderful sister, way to help your sister out. Don't ever stop.