Haircut...Oh my!

BEFORE PHOTOS (I know it is not too shaggy)
So, we took Jakey to get a haircut on Saturday. I like the clean cut boy look, but it is also quite cute when they get shaggy around the edges when the head of hair is always in "tousled" form shortly after combing. So many people tried to get me to keep growing his hair out, but I prefer it shorter. Maybe someday...

Jake IS NOT, I repeat, IS NOT, a compliant client in the barber's chair. My son who, mind you, is obsessed with sharp things, such as knives, shaving razors, and SCISSORS, is scared to death (and I do mean "to death") of haircuts. I guess my telling him things like "sharp" and "dangerous" when he inevitably finds the "scissors hiding spot" has resonated with him when it comes to those sharp, dangerous cutting scissors coming at his hair. He doesn't seem to pay attention when I am chasing him down to retrieve the scissors that he is not supposed to have!!! It is funny how running away from Mommy with a sharp pair of grownup scissors doesn't scare him in the least, but cutting his hair will send him into a fit of fear...Go figure. He's 2!

So, we go to a place in Lafayette called Cool Tops because they are a kids shop and they specialize in children. This implies, to me, that they can do a decent job on a squirmy toddler. The first time I went there was in January and I was amazed at how well the gal did while Jake dodged right and left and screamed bloody murder the whole time. It really is QUITE the ordeal. You would think we were holding him down and poking him with sharp things...I guess that is the idea he has when the scissors come near his head. It is actually quite comical when I look back, but during the event, I am not laughing...just trying to get through it. So we had a repeat of January, but WORSE, when we took him on Saturday. It all starts when the clippers start buzzing. He is deathly afraid of that and gets all worked up. Then come the scissors, then the edger device. Jakey sits on my lap while I hold him tightly, Carlos braces his head and holds it for the hairdresser and she just does the best she can, all the while all 3 of us (and whichever big sisters come along) are trying to talk some sense and calmness into Jakey (who won't hear any of it). Jakey is crying uncontrollably and attempting to flail and escape from every possible direction (not so possible with ME holding him down) the whole time while hair is flying every which way. He is bright red by the time it is all over and I am sweating. I know it sounds like I am exagerrating, but I promise you, I am not. In fact, you would have to see it to really understand just what a 15 minute ordeal it is. Thank goodness it is only 15 minutes. BUT, it is torment. We left a generous tip and hoped they would allow us to come back next time!
AFTER (IT'S SO MUCH CLEANER AROUND THE EDGES)

So, I gave him his haircut candy bar to hold during the haircut and told him he could have it afterwards. He was so excited. Needless to say, it was melted to oblivion by the time the ordeal was over. Thank goodness, they have lollipops at the shop.

Many of you might wonder why I don't just do it myself. I have tried. He is just as scared because it is not the lady he is scared of, it is the clippers and scissors. So, I can't cut and hold at the same time. It just makes more sense to schedule the haircut for when Carlos can come along and we can gear up for it.

Even though it is torture for all parties involved, Jakey is just SO cute when he has a fresh new 'do'. And no limbs were severed nor flesh wounded by the sharp and dangerous scissors. JAKEY & DADDY ALL READY FOR CHURCH...SO HANDSOME!