Swoop Salon

Faithful readers may recall that my daughter’s first haircut took place last November. Although Baby Bird’s steadfast companion, Mr. Lion, was was by her side, the visit did not end well.

Hence the reason I waited a full year (yes, a full year) to make a second attempt. We arrived at Swoop Salon a few minutes early, enough time to have a snack, a drink of water, and check out the most recent issue of People Magazine. Mr. Lion was selected, once again, as Baby Bird’s traveling companion. This year, there was stiff competition. He almost lost to Mr. Fluffles (the heron) and Mr. Bunny. Having accompanied us a year ago, he now qualifies as a seasoned veteran. We sat on the couch and waited–anxiously.

My turn yet, Mama?

Yes, it will be your turn soon.

Not hurt Mama?

No sweetie, it won’t hurt.

My won’t cry.

I hope not, sweetie.

Turning to the stylist, Not hurt?

No, it won’t hurt.

Mama? Not hurt?

Mama, my turn yet?

Finally it’s our turn.

You almost done?

No, we are just getting started. We haven’t cut your hair yet.

Almost done now?

No, we’re going to to brush your hair. Do you want pick a brush?

You almost done?

Here we go. Snip, snip. The deer-in-the-headlights look kicks in.

She doesn’t make a peep. I can’t remember the last time she was this quiet, for this long–while awake.

At last. The do is done: cut, French braid, cupcake clip. And relief.

Now it’s Mr. Lion’s turn. He was a rock star. Of course, this is his second visit too.

Lookin’ good.

We headed to Zoka’s for celebratory steamed milk. Yes, Mr. Lion, you may have a sip.

But back away from my banana bread!

“Would you like something to drink?” the hostess at Swoop Salon asked.

“Do you have any whiskey?”

Standing in the salon, trying to maintain a hand-hold on squirmy Baby Bird, we waited for her first haircut. My daughter has a beautiful head of hair: a lovely shade of light brown with auburn highlights, thick and full with curls in the back. Her hair is one of the things people comment on when they first see her. Since she’s been home with us, I’ve let it grow (save one awful, quickly aborted, attempt to trim the ends). But lately, her “do” had begun to look like a mullet, so I decided it was time.

We have several options for “kid’s cuts” in Seattle, and I carefully considered them, but ultimately chose to go where and with someone I already knew, someone I could face again if my child had a complete meltdown. That said, it was not without significant trepidation that I called to make an appointment with my stylist, who is herself a mom to two young children.

“What if she starts screaming and disturbs your regular clientele?” I said tentatively to the woman who took my phone call.

“Don’t worry, K. is great with kids. You know, she’s a mom.”

Yes, yes, I thought to myself. But my kid is a very active child, a child who does not like to be physically constrained in any way, a child who—if left to her own devices—never sits still.

We arrived at the salon armed with snacks and Mr. Lion (thank you Shelley!), one of her favorite toys. K. and Baby Bird were introduced and K. took her over to get a booster chair, and then showed her all the tools of her trade: salon chair, spray bottle, scissors, hair on the floor from a previous client. The booster was placed in the chair and Baby Bird was propped on top.

So…how did it play out? Baby Bird was true to form, in a constant state of motion: sitting, standing, squirming, sitting sideways, on the booster, off the booster, on the chair, off the chair. K. was patient and gracious. She pulled out several “tricks” from her stylist hat: handing Baby Bird a comb, uploading animal videos to her smart phone, all for naught.

At one point I asked her, “You’ve cut children’s hair before, would you say Baby Bird is more active than most?”

“Absolutely.”

There you have it. For posterity, I have a lock of hair from her first haircut, and a series of pictures that capture a few of the moments, albeit none of the moments when I was holding her head and she was screaming.

We decided to abandon any efforts to “style” her hair and settled on a light trim with more evenly cut locks, minus the mullet-like, unruly strands. I thanked my stylist profusely and we headed home.

Want to see more snippets of fun? Check out Delicious Baby Photo Friday.

Second haircut is the charm

Snip snip: first haircut