Clip, clip! A Hairy Change

This weekend started out like any other. Lately we've been frequent visitors of the pool. I forgot how much I love swimming. On Saturday, there was a little boy named Colin at the pool. Each time Stephen would throw Piper in the air, Colin would squeal and laugh. I think it safe to say he had a lot more fun than Piper did. Our little buddy Colin kept us entertained at the pool.

Friday night I told Stephen I wanted to cut my hair this weekend. I wasn't 100% certain I wanted to. After swimming, Stephen asked if I was going to go cut my hair which started our long conversation on my struggling hair.

Following you will see pictures of painfully, struggling hair. This are not pretty pictures, but they prove my point. Proceed at your own caution!

Exhibit A:
Right after Piper was born, I was LOVING my hair. Those pregnancy hormones did great things and I had very little hair fall out during that time. Last August when we were in Utah, my sister took our family pictures. Piper was 9 weeks old and my hair was still doing fabulous! I was thinking I was the luckiest girl since I wasn't losing my hair like was foretold post pregnancy. A few weeks later, those dreams were dashed. My hair was falling out rapidly. I was so sad but knew eventually it would regulate.

Exhibit B:
When visiting Kristen in Georgia this spring, she pointed out my many baby hairs around my forehead and ears. She told me I'd never had so many fine baby hairs. It looked like someone had taken a pair of scissors to the front of my hair. When I got home I even asked Stephen if he had somehow cut my hair. No hair cutting from him!

I knew my hair was struggling but it was hard having someone point it out to me. Since then I've been in panic mode about my hair. I've taken vitamins, biotin pills, changed my shampoo, washed my hair less, and used less heat on my hair. Has any of it helped? Nope!

Exhibit C and D:
In Utah this summer, I talked my families ears off about my hair. They were probably quite happy to have me and my hair leave. The right side of my hair was really struggling. There were lots of little hairs above my ears and only one long strand in the right front section. To compensate, I started moving my part further over so there was a little more hair on right side. 

Exhibit E:
When I get out of the shower, I usually end up letting my hair air dry and eventually pulling it into a ponytail. Some day's, Piper and I just like the crazy hair days. We always make sure were all pretty-ied up on Sunday's though.

Exhibit F:
Enter 1 1/2 weeks ago. My hair was in the usual quick ponytail, nothing special. There were lots of fly-away hairs towards the back of my part. Recently it looked like someone had taken a pair of scissors to that area also. To make them stay down, I felt like I was using half a bottle of hairspray and a handful of gel.

Exhibit G:
A couple months ago we bought coconut oil to cook with. I've read that its healthier than other cooking oils and also great for your hair. Last week I thought I'd try it in my hair. I read a website that said to put the oil in your hair, wrap it in saran wrap, and wear it to bed. I refused to wait until I went to sleep and I was NOT wrapping my head in plastic, especially to bed! I was impatient and wanted instant results! I slathered that smelly goodness on my hear and wore a beanie for 2 hours. 

Piper didn't like me wearing a hat around. She kept trying to pry it off my head. Did I have instant results? Nope, but my hair super was soft. The website said over a course of time you would see results. I know I was being unrealistic but I wanted my hair to stop falling out NOW! 

Exhibit H:
This picture was taken moments after we got back from swimming on Saturday. I know I look awful, but this was the turning point for me.

A few minutes before, I started talking about completely cutting all my hair off. For years, I've had many people tell me I should get a pixie cut. No way! I could never cut all my hair off. This goes to show how desperate I was at this point to even consider this option.

While sitting on the couch I found a picture of a haircut I liked. Stephen snapped my picture, and with those mad photoshopping skills, showed me what I'd look like with a pixie cut.

I didn't love it but we decided to go cut my hair anyways. Before leaving our apartment, I saw the picture Stephen had taken moments ago. I could see how unhealthy and awful my hair looked. As we walked out the door, I made him take one last picture.

 
In the car I told Stephen if I chickened out, I could always just have it cut the normal I cut it. 15 minutes later I sat down in the chair and showed the beautician a picture of what I wanted. She grabbed her scissors and started to cut above my right ear. There was no going back from that point on. It was so hard watching all my hair fall. I didn't know whether to smile in the mirror or be nervous. I wasn't sure if I liked the change.

Stephen was surprised when he finally looked up and saw all my hair gone. He was certain I wouldn't actually do it.

45 minutes later Stephen and I walked out of the shop with new haircuts and Piper with her a dum-dum. I'm not sure whether she liked the sucker or not. Maybe we should have grabbed more than one.

I still can't believe I cut my hair. I'm a little afraid I look like a boy. Good thing hair grows back!