Shave and a Haircut? Two Kisses.

I did it. I couldn't stand Paxton's shaggy mane anymore, so I cut it. Don't worry--I wasn't totally unprepared. I watched an instructional video on youtube first. His long hair has been bothering me for weeks. The day before we went to Dallas to visit Chris' family, I decided that I'd had enough. I had to take matters into my own hands.

Aside from giving a trim here or there, I've never cut anyone's hair. I had no idea how to go about cutting a boy's hair. But that didn't stop me. I figured at the rate Paxton's hair grows, even if I made him look like a complete nerd, it wouldn't last for more than a few weeks. Plus, if I really screwed up, I could just avoid taking pictures for a while and he'd be none the wiser. No harm, no foul. Plus, he looks extra cute in hats.

I set up his high chair in front of the television and found an on-demand kids' show for him to watch. I gave him some crackers and a few toys and went to work spraying and coming his long locks. He was curious about what I was doing, particularly as the water spritzed his ears, but he sat mostly still. I faithfully followed the instructional video and only hesitated when I got to his ears. For the life of me, I couldn't think of what a short haircut around the ears looks like. I did my best, but I left it too long just behind his ears. On one side, a little wisp of longer hair sticks out, clearly missed. The only other real error I made was when I thought I was grabbing the layering scissors, but actually had the real scissors in my hand. I hacked off a big chunk of hair at the back of his head. It's noticeable only to me, but I swear I see a little bald spot.

I am now hooked. I want his hair to grow quickly so I can perfect my new skill. I love it!! My mom said it looks like I gave him a bowl haircut, but really, it looks nothing like that, except for when his bangs fall straight on his forehead. My friend, Andrea, was shocked to hear that I'd cut it myself, and said that she might have me do her baby's hair when he needs it. That's a little bit more pressure than I can handle right now. I'll need more practice on my own little guy before I'm ready to subject any other children to my amature ways.

The trip to Dallas was a little tedious. We thought we'd planned it all out so well. Chris got us a room at the Marriott suites, large enough that Paxton could have his own room in which to take naps away from all the excitement of family visiting. Since Chris snores loudly, he offered to sleep on the fold-out couch in the living room, leaving Paxton and I in the bedroom, in the relative quiet. None of our plans panned out. Paxton had no interest in napping, and unlike the days he resists rest at home, we couldn't just let him cry it out until he fell asleep. Other people were in the hotel, and Paxton has taken to screaming at the top of his lungs to announce his displeasure. So napping was a no-go.

His exhaustion showed itself in endearing ways while we all visited later at Craig's house. Paxton ran all around the house, stopping only for moments to grab a toy or a bite to eat. He gets great bursts of energy when he's exhausted, and just before he passes out, he's often at his most adorable, quick to laugh and quick to snuggle. When we pulled out "The Tingler" (that metal thing that you put on a person's head to tickle their scalp), he. loved. it. He kept drawing his shoulders up to his ears, and throwing his head against Chris' shoulder. When I stopped, he would look back at me, smiling, happily preparing himself for the next tickle. When I finally put it back on the shelf, he started bawling with disappointment.

Back at the hotel, Paxton went to sleep quickly. But when I came into the room an hour later to read before bed, he woke up immediately. He nursed until he fell back to sleep. And we continued that ALL NIGHT. I think he got six hours of sleep, total (not in a row) and I got about 4-1/2. I haven't been that tired since he was a newborn. I had that weird headache I get when I don't get enough sleep. He slept in the car for the first two hours of the drive home, but I don't think his sleep schedule got back to normal until a day or so ago. This time change is ruthless and hasn't helped matters much. But he's back to sleeping his normal 12-hours a night now, so all is well in our household. Never underestimate the power of a good night's sleep.

On that note, I'm off to bed. Night, night.