All That Hair!

“Look at all that hair!” That’s what I hear over and over when we run into people curious enough to peek inside their carriers. The first thing everyone sees is two tiny bodies overtaken by huge puffs on top of their heads. Dark, tiny spirals that are nearly impossible to manage. Their hair is like a people magnet and we can’t make it through Walmart, Target, Dillons or the mall without being stopped and oogled at.

You can’t imagine the things I find stuck in their hair throughout the day! And the products…oh the products! I have every kind of product you can think of–shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, oils, detanglers, creams, styling milk, co-conditioner, pudding, coconut spray, grease, wax, and the list goes on and on. Learning how to keep their hair conditioned and protected is definitely a skill one has to learn. I have friends gracious enough to advise me and share styling tips. I even bought a book for vanilla moms to care for chocolate hair…the girls do NOT like me messing with their hair so I never got a chance to practice the cute braids and twists the author made look so easy to try. So headbands and flower barrettes always win.

For the most part, I always get fun reactions from strangers wanting to ask all about the girls or just wanting to touch their hair or say Hi to them. But sometimes we get not-so-welcomed reactions. And this momma bear don’t like that! I always manage to keep my mouth shut and just smile, but there have been times I wanted to scratch that lady’s eyes out! Yes, we look different. Yes, I am out-numbered. Yes, you’re correct that I’m not wearing a gold band on my finger. Do those questions really give you the right to turn your nose up at me? Narrow your eyes at my beautiful babies? Walk past us with your judgy assumptions? No. Absolutely not.

Probably one of the most difficult parts of fostering is not having physical similarities to your children. I’ll never get the “they look so much like you!” But that’s okay. Because in my heart they are mine. In my heart we are exactly alike. And in my heart they will always be.

I am so incredibly in love with my girls! I love their skinny little feet. I love their dimples when they smile sweetly at me. I love their two little bottom teeth sticking up like they don’t quite fit right in their tiny mouths. I love their noises and squeals when we sing “Row row row your boat.” I love their tiny hands that fit so perfectly in mine. And I love their hair…all that hair!