The Five of Us, Spring 2014

The Five of Us, Spring 2014

Look What I Can Do!

So, I finally got caught up with the hip moms and bought some snaps for Pea's hair. And we LOVE them!!!! Just look what we've been up to!


Style #1:


Style #2:


And, just in case you're interested in what we use for hair care around here, we are faithful Carol's Daughter devotees. Here's what I wrote to an expectant AOH mom about our hair care routines when she asked what she'll need to set up shop at her place for her little Liberian dollies.

Okay, you need CD Black Vanilla Spray (or I have another brand I use for this, African Pride Braid Sheen or something like that--this is a detangler, come through-er). Next, CD Hair Milk (I spray on the spray and then squirt about a quarter-sized dab of Milk in my hand, rub between palms, slather on fro). Comb (wide tooth first, then medium. You can do fine, but not necessary). Shape. Voila--lovely free hair! This is what we do mornings and evenings when her hair is free. Sometimes I subs the CD Hair Balm for the Milk (it has a nicer smell and is more oily for when things seem to be drying out too much). I use the Rosemary Mint Shampoo once a week following a good dose of Lisa's Hair Elixir (used like VO5 Hot Oil). Leave the oil in dry hair for 5 minutes. Add a smidge of warm water and shampoo. Use the oily shampoo suds (it's oddly not oily at all!!!) as a nice moisturizing skin cleanser too. Rinse. The best thing I can do for rinsing is to run her head under the faucet. Otherwise, it can be difficult to get a complete rinse.

Now, if you don't want to have to "do" it every day, you have to learn the styles. For this you NEED snaps!!! I just got some (to be blogged soon) and they are sooooo much easier than rubber bands for ending braids/twists. We like Nubian knots at our house too (a twist that you keep twising til it becomes like an itty bitty bun and then secure with a rubber band). But, the snaps are fun for the kids and much easier for tying off. The easiest style is to section off squares, secure with a rubber band (it's too loose if you don't--I tried), double-strand twist, end with a snap (with some beads of course). This will stay for days and you just have to use the braid sheen spray to keep the scalp and exposed hair from drying out. Easy peasy.

The most important tool for hairstyling though--you'll need a partner! The partner's job is to distract and keep happy the hair stylee. Food, toys, tv, whatever it takes without crossing the line into indulgent parenting! Keep some things special for hair time (toys, treats, etc.). Yep. It's good.

I hope that helps someone out there! And, if you have further suggestions (or corrections!), please let us know!

2 comments:

Tarah said...

GREAT JOB!!!!!

Heart4Adoption said...

Beautiful! Well done!! Tanya

My Man and Me

My Man and Me
married 7/7/2001

Punk

Punk
ours through biology, born 7/25/2004, home 8/1/2004

Pea

Pea
ours through adoption from Liberia, West Africa, born 7/15/2005, home 10/25/2007

Pup

Pup
ours through domestic adoption, born 1/15/2011, home 2/10/2011, final 8/3/2011

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I blog for myself and my kids and I would do it even if no one else cared, but I do like to hear from you (and think it's a wee bit creepy of you to voyeurize us without my knowing it). So, please leave a comment from time to time, or email me anytime at xawilsons@hotmail.com. Much obliged, I'm sure.

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Round Two Timeline

  • 9/24/08 Home study update home visit for Ghana adoption
  • 10/15/08 Dossier sent to AOHG
  • 10/15/08 I600A application sent to USCIS
  • 10/30/08 First heard about possible domestic private adoption
  • 11/18/08 Last spoke with contact about possible domestic adoption; expected to hear back about meeting with birthmother
  • 12/3/08 Withdrew application from AOHG
  • 1/6/09 Found out another family had been chosen for possible domestic adoption
  • 1/21/09 USCIS fingerprinting appointment
  • 1/8/09 Received USCIS fingerprinting appointment notice
  • 4/11/09 Sent Pre-Application to Covenant Care Adoptions for Domestic Infant Adoption program
  • 6/8/09 Social worker visit to update home study from International to Domestic
  • 7/24/09 Received completed home study update
  • 8/25/09 Went "on the list" for birthfamilies to choose from
  • 4/28/10 Found out a birth mom had chosen us
  • 5/8/10 Met the birth mom
  • 5/11/10 Got the call that birth mom changed her mind
  • 5/19/10 Birth mom's scheduled c-section
  • 11/30/10 Visit from DSS sw about foster parenting
  • 11/30/10 Got the call that another birth mom had chosen us
  • 12/21/10 Met with the birth mom
  • 1/15/11 @1:42 PM BB was born!
  • 1/19/11 ICPC (interstate) paperwork sent to GA for approval
  • 1/31/11 ICPC Clearance Approved
  • 2/10/11 Placement Ceremony and Pup comes home!!!!
  • 8/3/11 It's Official! Pup's Adoption Decree was issued