Haircuts

**If you have read this post already, scroll to the bottom where I have a little attachment update!!**It is our first Saturday morning with 3 kids and I think we are all caught up on our sleep because at 6:45, we are parked in front of Diego! I am about to make pineapple upside down pancakes but I thought you might like an update while things are peaceful around here. Yesterday, I got clearance from our caseworker to get J's hair cut. It went so well! Could their be any 2 more perfect brothers? :)

When you don't allow video gaming at home, your boys get real excited to go get hair cuts!
He sat so well. At one point while she was edging him up, he slowly took off his cape, balled it up and handed it to Destiny. I told her he is a silent protester! His hair looks so much better now. It was wispy and baldish in places. Now he looks healthy and groomed. And I was able to promote Carol's Daughter's hair milk (that I use to condition the boys heads) to the hair stylist. I brought that and his boar's head brush to the salon so she could use it after his cut. She loved it and said she needs to get it for her son! That always makes us moms of African American kids feel good when we are the possessers of good hair care knowledge!

These two are becoming fast friends! They wanted to hold hands on our way to the mailboxes. And they have a game of hiding in Vivi's closet and I wander around the house "looking" for them to discover them giggling in a big heap in the closet. When I open the door fast they both start thrashing around and screaming. It is so cute to watch them bond.

Having a toddler boy in the house again has shown me that you have to get creative with the gross motor activities that they crave! Thankfully we have lots of tile in our house...so with the temps hitting in the 100's, I moved the bikes in.

We are currently working on showing and receiving affection. He does not give hugs or kisses or request being picked up. This morning he did kind of lean in to me though and let me hold him for a minute, so that is a start. I am trying to get him to blow a kiss or atleast respond to facial expressions. Meaning if I smile at him, getting him to smile back which he does not do yet.

And he is definitely exerting an opinion now. He will fuss more if things don't go his way. He made his first request yesterday when he pointed to his booster and said "eat". I said "do you want pizza?" and he got really excited so we took him to Cici's. The kid polished off a serious amount of food...just like his brother! Great to be able to get some nutrients in him with a spinach slice, vegetarian, and canadian bacon with pineapple. We have begun our multi and omega 3 vitamin routine with him too which he is responding well to. He is such a blessing and joy to our family. It is like Christmas morning every day to wake up to this child. My caseworker paid me the best compliment yesterday. I sent her some photos of him smiling which she has not seen him do in the 7 weeks she has been on his case. She said something like "you sure have a way with these (last name) children! They go from being so sad to bundles of joy. Thank you so much!" I wanted to say No, thank you!!! for bringing me the best boys in the world! It is like winning the lottery twice.

**Attachment Update: This morning, as is my routine on Saturdays, I got my bags together and calculator to head to the grocery store. Well, J begins to run down the hall saying "shoes, shoes!" I said "Buddy, your closet is in this room where all your shoes are. But you are staying here with brother and sister while I go to the store. I'll be right back." Panic stricken he follows me to the door hobbling with one shoe on and carrying the other. I said "you stay here and play toys!" He immediately starts balling! He was grinding his fists in his eyes again. I smiled at Billy and said "this is a good sign!" and he agreed. I said "J, do you want to come with Mommy to the store?" and he nodded his head and stopped crying. He said "car?" and pointed out front. Isaac asked why does he get to go with you...which is funny because he hates errands! I said "because in his world people leave and they don't come back. He doesn't know that this Mom is going to be around for a long time, so he has to stick to my side like glue until he believes that." I was so touched that after being with me 3 days he is already bonding in a major way. Billy said "well there goes the church nursery!" we may be sitting in the cry room with our boy for awhile, but that is okay with us.