Black children are typically born with hair- lots of hair. Beautiful, dark, heads of hair. So it was slightly shocking when Sunny was born bald. Upon seeing her my Mother said, “If I didn’t see her come out of you Steph, I wouldn’t have known she was yours.”
We don’t have bald children in my family, so I’ve had to defer to friends (and formally bald children) to find out what’s normal when it comes to hair growth and infants.
Over time Sunny’s hair has started to fill out. I won’t lie to you I wanted a little girl very, very, VERY badly. I make no bones about it, I will never deny it. I pictured myself combing her hair and placing bows, braids, and pigtails on her. I wouldn’t trade Sunny for anything on this Earth but her hair growth is just not what I had in mind.
So now, here we are, nearly 13 months old and the top and back of her scalp has produced some hair. The sides are trying to catch up…they have a long way to go. The hair on top is long enough now that I have to make a choice when I brush it. Her hairs get together and threaten me to choose a side and create a part. I feel enormous pressure when that happens, but I’m up for the challenge. The thing is her front hair is not just long it’s also bone straight!
But it’s the back that is a confusing tale of hair, or should I say tail of hair. She literally has a long straight rat tail and her very famous “burr” that now curls but use to stick out like a dart during her first year of life.
The back is now getting longer and what use to be curly is now turning straight. It’s this confused mop of hair and I, being a black woman, thought I had seen everything when it comes to hair I have to admit Sunny’s hair has stumped me; I’m at it’s mercy. I follow this child around with a brush far too many times in a day. And when she naps? Forget about it, I’m running into her room with a brush and spray bottle.
Matt and I kind of think her hair looks like that of a young Billy Crystal….RIGHT?
You all have been reading with us for a long time, so you’ve seen the progression of Sunny from a baby to a budding toddler. If you ask me she’s still the prettiest thing God ever made, but I’ll be glad when her hair chooses a texture! You are either curly or your straight but this half and half thing, must end!
Oh Sunshine…Mommy might start giving you biotin vitamins.
