#3Ehairupdate: 2016 final length check

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I haven't been blogging much because I have just been so busy with family, my full time job and fulfilling AyoBE Boutique orders. 

Here is my long overdue hair update. I haven't really done anything new as far as my hair goes in 2016. I am bad with heat as far as using heating tools on my hair so for me, it is easy to stay away from heat. I wore it down most of 2016 because I was recovering from postpartum shedding and wanted to hide the edges. 
For the most part, I prefer it down because it frames my face better. :-).

Anyways, here's a recap from my 2015 hair update.

My hair journey dates are below. Based on this, you can say the hair on my head is technically 3-years old. Even though my big chop didn't happen until October 2014.

Last texlax: 10/2013
Decision to go natural: 02/2014
Big Chop: 10/2014
First flat iron on natural hair: 12/31/2015
Last flat iron: 12/19/2016
Next flat iron: 12/18/2017

Here is my length status pre-trim. 

Length as of 12/16/16:
Middle: 12 inches
Back right: 13.5 inches
Back left: 14.25 inches
Front: 14 inches

On Monday, I decided to go get my hair flat ironed and trimmed. 

I washed with a clarifying shampoo and deep conditioned my hair before going. Of course, when I got there, because I was in such a rush, turns out I had some leftover conditioner on my hair. So it had to be rinsed out thoroughly. Not a bad thing. 

I also brought my own heat protectant because I had forgotten to bring it with me in 2015.

This time, I was also determined to be more vocal about what I wanted and I am glad I was.

The process...

Fully blown out and pre-trim.

Post trim and flat ironed with curls. I should not that the stylist offered to level my hair at the back (scroll up to the length difference). I told her not to because my hair ALWAYS grows like this. I have had other stylist cut it only for it to grow back the same way. I believe it is because of the way I sleep. I don't have a problem with the unevenness anyways since I don't wear it straight most times so for me, I didn't feel it was necessary. 

However, I got a solid inch trimmed. I also made her show it to me before she started. Yes, I have been the victim of scissor happy stylists in the past. 

Here are the end results. 

I am now officially mid-back length. Granted, just by a smidget since my hair at the back is JUST past my bra straps. WOOHOO! 2016 hair goal accomplished.

So I goofed as far as using the same tape measure to get the length. HOWEVER, I did wear the same shirt. So I'll be repeating some of the pictures from above so you can do a comparison. 

Pre-trim: Past the blue skirt on the shirt.

Post-trim: Mid-way down the skirt on the shirt.

Pre-trim: At the girl's mouth on the shirt.

Post-trim: W.T.H 😲??? OK. In all seriousness, I don't think I did a good stretch here 😃.

Pre-trim: Past Ayo-BE.

Post-trim: At Ayo-BE.

And since I have confused you above, here is a collage of where I left things off in 2016 as far as my hair length is concerned.

I am not very good at maintaining straight hair so by day 5, I was SOOOOO over it!

And by day 8, I deep conditioned and washed it. WHEW! Now I feel like me again :-). Pictures courtesy of my little JOE. Hair accessories by AyoBE Boutique.

Overall, I am really enjoying my natural hair and I have pretty much decided to stay natural for the foreseeable future. I mean, it works for me and is so easy on my wallet :-).

I am trying out a couple of new products this year and will let you know how things go with it. 

In the meantime, how is your hair journey coming along? Did you reach your goals? 

My new hair goal for 2017 is have healthy and full mid-back length hair by the end of the year. 

If you'd like to see my progress throughout the year, be sure to follow me on Instagram. I'll be posting my updates there with the hashtag "3Ehairupdate".  

Have a fabulously blessed New Year!

Photo Dump Wednesday: Family Fun

Happy Thursday! The title reads "Photo Dump Wednesday" but unlike other weeks where I actually type this up on Wednesday and forgot to post, this week, I am actually doing it on Thursday due to other commitments. 

I FINALLY picked up my new glasses a couple of weeks ago. I wear glasses...used to wear contacts  until I had kids and then I didn't feel like dealing with the routine in the morning. 
Anyways, I got my prescription for new glasses back in February. And I have been going WITHOUT my glasses since then because in my mind, I figured "hey, the ones I have now aren't effective so technically, I don't need them." 
Well, I honestly am singing a new tune now after picking up my glasses cause I didn't know how much clearer I could see until I wore them. 
So here you go...me with my new glasses. I promise to do better about wearing them. I should say though that I ALWAYS have them in my bag. I just get lazy about wearing them :-).

So if you recall last year, we did matching PJs. I ordered bigger sizes for the girls this year. Well, wouldn't you know I ordered ANOTHER of the same size JOE was wearing last year. It didn't occur to me until MUCH later that JAE could wear the PJs JOE wore last year. 
Oh well...now I have an extra pair of PJs.

I'll be going to get my hair straightened on Monday. In anticipation of that, I decided to do a length check. You should know that I couldn't figure out a way to take a picture and do the check so I used a pin to hold my hair at the base. So technically, it is slightly longer than shown but not by much. 
I'll do a progress update at some point in the next couple of weeks.

I get to wake up to their beautiful faces every morning. THE BEST feeling in the world! Yes, I am still a member of the "wear your retainers at night" community.

This was a recent order from AyoBE Boutique. I love this onesie set so much, I can't wait to see the recipient in it.

And of course, this matching cufflinks for an adult male. 

Last weekend, J took me out to celebrate my birthday. Incase you are wondering, yes my birthday is in September. However, as they say "life happens."  
We went to one of my favorite restaurants Fogo de Chao and enjoyed the adult time.

It was good company...

Good food..

Good drinks...

Yummy bites...

And of course, the "i-tis" afterwards :-) .

They didn't have anymore of my usual creme brulee. But the flan was close enough and delish.

J got his usual. We were STUFFED!

It occurred to us that evening that 7-years and 1-day ago, J asked me to marry him. So in some ways, we were also celebrating our engagement anniversary. FUN!
On our way home, we saw this beautiful tree close to the Capital.

Every year, one of the houses not too far from our town puts up A TON of outdoor decor for Christmas. I love driving by each year to look and take a picture.This picture doesn't do it enough justice. The entire place is LIT!

On Sunday, before Church, JAE was intently watching the iPAD. Look at my little girl with her feet up. Looking so grown!

And of course, our usual car selfie. JOE was in a mood on our way to church but her mood improved with a bribe...I mean motivation :-).

 

I guess I should start a blog post about JAE's church pics because here is another one of her in the sanctuary. I often give her my phone to play with and find stuff like this. There were a few blurry shots but this was the best one.

Later that night, JOE put on a show for us. She is a Cowboy (hat) Owelette (mask) Princess (shoes). Yup...she has quite an imagination.

Her sister who didn't want to be outdone decided to wear her own hat as well and give a good show.

Howdy Sheriff!

Last year, my family started a new tradition of a family game night on Christmas where each family participates (the singles play on the same team as my parents) and tries to win a prize. Last year, our family won and we got a very cool wireless speaker! This year, we are upping the ante and the winner will get this trophy and possibly other stuff. 

J and I are READY!!! We want to come home with the award this year! Oh and wondering about the name of the award? It is a childhood joke about our grades. 

I'll be baking cookies and packing for Christmas. Until my next post, have a FABULOUS weekend and remember now more than ever to be kind to strangers!

Photo Dump Wednesday: Transition

We are going through a childcare provider transition with the girls. Last week, their new provider started. She's great with the girls but JOE is having a bit of an adjustment phase but we are getting there. The process of transitioning kids to new child care arrangements can be very fragile so I am thankful that so far, the girls are adjusting. 

Since the new provider started last week, I wasn't really expecting much as far as arts/crafts from the girls since I figured they'd be learning/building their relationship. So of course, it really gladdened my heart when I got home one day and JOE told me she had made me this bracelet to wear to work the next day. 
Yes, it is made of pipe cleaners but honestly, it is the thought that counts. Even though it didn't match anything I was wearing to work the next day, I chose to wear it to show her that I really appreciate it. 
Of course though, the minute I got home, she wanted it back. Go figure!

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I have been posting about my rides. Well, I was especially proud of myself last week because we had one particularly COLD day! I didn't want to go bike riding but J said "bundle up and you! You'll be glad you did". I can honestly say that I am glad I did. I love the little progress I see here and there so I want to keep up the momentum.

We FINALLY finished decorating our home last Sunday! WOOHOO!!! It was a LONG process and I am glad it is done. The one positive is that we decided this year to split it up over the course of 2-weekends instead of 1. That made things A LOT easier because we could spend time as a family and not get too stressed out trying to cater to the girls while putting up decorations and stopping them from breaking the fragile stuff. 
I think we'll do this from here on out as far as splitting the process into 2 weekends as opposed to 1. 

Outside..

The tree. This was a VERY labor intensive process. This is a pre-lit tree and the directions say it should only take 15-minutes to set up. I don't know who lied to the makers but 2-hours later, we were struggling to get all the lights connected. Needless to say, there is a section that's still not working but after both J and I got cut all over our arms (we were actually straight up bleeding!!!), we decided to just decorate the tree without dealing with the section that wouldn't light up.

JOE helped to put up the ornaments this year and I really love that she placed each one with so much care. JAE slept through most of it and was surprised when she woke up to a tree in the house. She has been pretty good though and hasn't really touched the ornaments or the train. Like JOE was at her age, she is a little scared of the train. Can I say I am kinda glad about that? Because it means she won't be touching the tracks and messing it up :-).

The fireplace. Last year, we put the Nutcrackers on the morning room buffet so JAE won't get to them. This year, we were able to display it by the fireplace. JAE touched them a bit but after we corrected her, she hasn't really bothered them since.

The stairs...Can you tell I LOVE Christmas? :-)
 

The morning room. 

This is my favorite area because JOE put together this set up. She really is very proud of her little village and I am very proud of her. 

As I said earlier, I know the transition has been a little tough on JOE because she really loves her former childcare provider. So to help with that, I decided to organize a "mommy and me" date. It was JUST what the doctor ordered. 
I'm wearing a wig. My hair was in flat twists since I washed it the day before and I didn't feel like taking it out :-).
We went to get our nails done. Then went to pick up dinner and JOE got to pick up a treat. After that, we went to Five and Below and I let her pick up a toy for herself and one for her sister. It was definitely a very successful time and I enjoyed it. 
But ummm...why is 90% of the stuff at Five and below actually $5? Shouldn't you get a lot more options for BELOW $5? 

 

 

Took out the flat twists and love the way my hair turned out. Heading to Church on Sunday...I love our car selfies. Looking forward to next April when JAE is front facing so she can start being in the pictures.

 Me and my #1 girl.

While JOE was at Sunday school, JAE was playing with my phone during the Church service. I didn't realize I had this picture until I started importing pictures for today's post. Yeah...that's JAE taking pictures on my phone!

Tis the season!!! If you are looking for a cute gift for your little one or a little girl in your life, go check out this newly listed item. Perfect for holiday dress up! There are tons of other items so be sure to check out the store for gift ideas.

Have an awesomely blessed week and remember to be kind to strangers!