Family Haircuts

Our friend's sister was in town yesterday to do hair, so we took advantage of this fact and all 3 of us went to get haircuts. This is the first time we have ever had a professional cut Parker's hair. Up until this point, Rich has always cut Parker's hair. It is never an easy process...we usually have to constantly change Parker's position from the sink, to my arms, to the counter top - anything to keep him still. It is always a difficult process because he moves so much and it is definitely not a task that Rich looks forward to. Needless to say, he was excited to have someone else cute Parker's hair for a change. It was quite the event though and took many extra hands to make it possible.

Haircut 1: Mine...Parker played and watched what was going on, but didn't seem too concerned. He didn't know that he was the next victim :)

Haircut 2: Parker's 1st attempt. We put him in the chair and then put the cape on. Tears immediately began to stream down his face. We tried to calm him down, help him find his tummy (he LOVES his tummy still!), turned on a show...but nothing seemed to work. The squirming and tears were too much.

Haircut 3: Rich's haircut...Parker watched a little more timidly this time. We pulled the candy out and told him he could have a treat if he got his haircut. Parker continued to hold the sucker and try to open while keeping an eye on Rich. Again, he was told he could have it if he got his haircut. We even showed him how Rich could eat the candy since he was so "brave" to get his haircut.

Haircut 4 (really haircut 3...but the 2nd attempt!): Parker went to the chair this time and actually let us put the cape on. He could be brave because he had a lollipop! We turned on a show for him to watch and he was okay until the clippers turned on. The tears started streaming again (he is scared of the sound). We popped the treat back in his mouth and he calmed down. From then on, he did pretty good...however, it was pretty hilarious that at one point there were 3 adults entertaining him and holding his head right while Ali cut his hair. She did a great job though despite all of his wiggling and we finally got a good haircut! This was also an act of love on Rich's part because he was covered in green drool from the lollipop...he hates getting things on him - fatherhood has been good for him...it's taught him to endure more :)

Bribing Parker with a lollipop!

Nothing like lollipop drool!

Look closely and you can see Ali cutting his hair, Parker ducking his head, and then 3 extra sets of hands (Rich's, Becca's, & Angie's) helping the boy!

Thanks Ali for putting up with us and cutting all of our hair!