confidence braided

I have never been very good at hairstyling. And I have never really been interested in it. I remember trying to learn to french braid a few times in my youth. I was frustrated and just couldn't get the hang of it. "Ah, who needs it?" I thought. After all, my mom and sisters could and did whip my hair into tight braids whenever I asked.

But things are different now. I am a mom. I have a daughter with very long, beautiful hair. It is time to learn.

I was inspired to try my hand at this art when I saw that my little sister Lili french braided her one-year-old's hair. Well, if "tinsey baby Penny" (as Julia calls her cousin) has braids, then so should Julia! And I set about to do it this very morning.

I failed completely at braiding a single plait. I was saying things like, "Oh man, this is so hard. I can't even do this." Julia was cheering me on, while she patiently let me pull and tug at her golden locks. "Mom, don't worry. You can to it! You are doing a great job." With that, I couldn't give up. So I parted it and tried for two, which turned out to be more manageable. Several minutes later, Julia's and my first french braids were born.

Now listen, I know this post may seem silly. And I know the overly-celebrated braids are quite loose and a little rag-tag. But the braids are not the main point here. The big deal is that I buckled down and did something at which I had previously failed and given up as intimidating and impossible. I tend to shy away from things that are unfamiliar and seemingly complicated. So this was a total confidence builder. I can do it! And if I practice, I can get better. (Especially with Julia's cheer leading. And next time I will try to keep Gabe busy with something else so the brush, comb, squirt bottles, and elastic bands don't keep disappearing.) This seems trivial, but it really made my day to see Julia in braids like the ones my mom used to do for me - even if they were disheveled by noon.

Her white-blond original baby curls at the tips are some of my favorite things in this world.

Julia isn't saying "hi" here, she is giggling and telling me to stop with the pictures already. Yeah, okay.

P.S. By no means will I be braiding Julia's hair every day, or even every week. Her curly hair is a blessing in my life in that it pretty much takes care of itself. But I will take the time to practice every now and then, and have some fun experimenting with some other styles. Most days I'm sure we'll stick with a ponytail, simple topsy-tails, or a messy bun. Which I love just as well as any fancy up-do.