It's getting somewhat back to normal around here. Under that mercifully thick head of hair there is a long scar and some shaved head! Mama is back to brushing and braiding hair! (I kind of miss that. Our daughters' hair was always brushed and braided or barretted back in some pretty way.)
After the first week (Monday will be 2 weeks since the operation), she started moving around pretty well, with just a little stiffness. It's fairly amazing that they can open “a major body cavity,” as my friend Nancy's radiologist dad put it, and things quickly fade into the distance. Of course, she was pretty strong and healthy to begin with. I know that many people deal with this sort of thing on top of chronic illness, and recovery isn't a matter of days.
We instituted “Camp Entertain Bridget” and her friends are rallying round. You can see as the game progresses that she starts to have a little trouble sitting up straight on that bench!
By evening she had to support her head to sit there and eat dinner, which precluded also holding up her ear of corn.
Poor.
Don't worry. We cut it off for her. Her corn, not her head.
Suzanne made her the hairband before she left, using clearance JoAnn's felt flower and band, and a scrap of grandpa's shirt. I love that fabric. It has a texture to it that for whatever reason makes me think Scandinavian.
By the way, Rosie cleverly fixed the comment problem we were having. It was a matter of the new Blogger for mobile phones messing us up, so we disabled that feature.
Your comment won't be lost now! Yay!
We love comments!
So here's a question, just for fun (because obviously she'll decide and it won't be for a while): Want to tell us if you think that, when the hair around the scar grows out some more, she should cut all her hair short? To see what we have in mind, go to this Pinterest board. (Pinterest is fun! You can follow us there if you want.)
So you know what we are talking about (but don't have to look at the gross photo — yes, I took a photo):
So — should Bridget keep her hair long, since it covers her scar and shaved area just fine, or should she, when the shaved part grows a little longer, cut the whole thing, pixie style? What do you think?
Shawna says
She's so lovely, she could definitely pull off the short style and still look delightfully feminine. Just be prepared for more bad hair days with short hair, because you can't just pull it back (says one sporting a shorter do). In a sense it's more work, but it's much cooler in the summer.
So glad that Bridget is doing so well. In our prayers.
Susan says
I think she should try it! She's young enough that it will grow back fast. She's definitely at a good age for hair experiments. My only concern is that those particular styles are probably more upkeep than her long, simple hair now. Bridget is so lovely and I think those styles would work for her but I think they would easily look dumpy if they weren't purposefully styled.
Mama bear, JD says
I have very fine hair and have had the best success with shorter styles. I always grow it out while pregnant and then eventually my stylist will nudge me to short again – what I am trying to say is that if you can grow long hair, I think that is so awesome! Maybe it isn't so hard for her to grow her hair out though. But if we are to be voting I like the picture that looks like a blonde Katie Holmes with the caption (the one on the left).
I am so glad she is doing better. It sounds like she is eating, good job mom.
Mamabear, JD says
My husband just said that it looks nothing like Katie Holmes. I guess I spend too much time on Catholic mom and sewing blogs! Still a cute cut, whoever she is.
Kate says
Same opinion as the first two comments. I think it also works better with non-thick, non-straight hair; otherwise you'll have more bed head days. I had longish hair most of my life, but in the last few years have worn it short. I love it for the first month, then it starts getting to be more work to keep it from looking frumpy before I get it cut again ( I tried four hair salons before I found a gal who was really good at cutting). One of my daughters had her hair cut short (but not pixie) in her early teens. It looked very cute and everyone told her so, but after awhile she got tired of “cute” and now at 15 she is back to her long hairstyle with some layering. She also likes that she has more options in hairstyle with her longer hair.
LJ says
Noooooooooooooooo!!!!! No pixies…..
I have no reasons, just that B's hair is so lovely. D would laugh and tell you that I tell her exactly the same thing. 🙂
brenda says
Oh I say keep the long hair! It's so beautiful and covers everything just fine!
Lisa G. says
It's Bridget's head – she has to please herself. Has she ever had short hair? Is she really dying to? If so, she should. And her hairdresser would be able to tell you if any of those cute styles would suit her. (you know all this, and I'm not being much fun by saying it, am I? – sorry!)
Hair is great, because it will quickly grow back. Long hair is lower maintenance, but she may want a fun change. The braid with hairband looks beautiful. That felt flower is awfully clever – I think it looks Scandinavian because it's red with white band, maybe?? A very nice look.
None of the short styles you chose are really that short – they all have longish layers, which might be in her face/eyes in a short time – just something else to consider.
All in all, I think if she's wanting it, she should get it out of her system and do it! Short hair well done always frames the face, and there are very few who don't look good in it. (that said, I'm a long hair girl myself!)
Melanie B says
I've tried short hairstyles a handful of times and, while I think they're super cute, I always come back to long hair as easier to care for. Short hair is finicky. It requires that it be brushed and styled every day. And my hair is stubborn. It doesn't style easy. I find when it is long it's much simpler because the weight keeps it straight, but when short my hair gets a mind of its own. With short hair I can't just lazily pull it back into a braid or pony tail or bun with a scrunchie. So I'd say it depends if Bridget is open to committing to doing her hair every day. Still, like other commenters, I think she's at an age when it's fun to try out new styles, to see what shorter hair is like and if she doesn't like it, it will grow back fairly quickly.
Juliana B says
Personally I like her hair the length it is, but if she is itching (ha-ha) to try something shorter after the shaved spot grows out, I'd go with the “sweeping” cut on Michelle Williams on your board (the fourth one). It is a bit softer than the other styles. Although it is true that shorter cuts require much more maintenance and have fewer options for changing the look.
Camille says
Go for the pixie cut! The wonderful thing about hair is that if you don't like it, it'll grow back out!
I am LOVING Pinterest! What a fun idea!
Nest Blessings says
I think there is a happy medium to be found. 🙂 Why not trim some off the length every couple of months, so that the length is gradually getting shorter while the hair around the scar is gradually getting longer. Eventually she will have a bob which will look cute short and of course will be simple to grow out long again. Or she might light to try an A-line cut instead of the regular bob, where the back is sort of a wedge, and the sides are longer. Those are pretty easy to grow out, too, if you get it trimmed regularly until the back is long again, and then you can trim up the angled sides to make it a classic bob once more. Sooo glad to hear she's doing so well!
Rachel~ At the Butterfly Ball says
I looked at the style ideas and have to admit they are adorable. But I am partial to longer hair on girls. I have cut mine off, more times than I can remember, and I always swear it'll be the last time. I just find it so much easier to deal with (personally) when it is long… but I'm a mama of 4 soon to be 5, so she'll probably have lots more time than I do for fixing it! At least when mine is long I can just pull it back and ignore it for a while! With short hair I felt like I always had to “fix” it. She does have a great face shape for short hair though! And here is what I always tell myself just before I've cut it off each time. “It's only hair, and even if it doesn't end up exactly as I have in mind, it will grow back! That's the lovely thing about hair, it keeps growing! Have fun deciding what to do Bridget!
Joyful says
The hair looks fantastic.
Cathy says
Keep the long hair! It covers up the scar very beautifully.
HollyElise says
I just cut my hair off into a pixie cut and I personally *love* it. If Bridget is wanting to try a short style, what better time than now?
My hair is a total wash-and-go style, I towel-dry out of the shower and run some gel through it, part my bangs, and go. 3 minutes, tops. Wonderful! Especially as she's healing she would probably really like that.
Also it is totally cute to top a pixie cut with an adorable headband like the one she's sporting in these photos! 🙂
Example: http://snarkerati.com/movie-news/files/2010/12/ca…
_Leila says
HollyElise, I love that photo! I added it to the board.
Jennifer says
Those styles are all really cute, but be careful! It looks like Bridget has pretty thick hair and that doesn't always cooperate with short styles (I say this from woeful experience). Thick hair makes those styles get really “poofy” instead of lying nice like in the pictures. For it to work, she would have to style it every morning with hair product and, depending on the style, a flatiron.
Elaine says
Well, I have shoulder length hair, and my 7 year old daughter has longer hair than that. I've cut mine back to a short bob once, and loved it when I did it, but ….grew it out again afterwards.
I think Bridget could look fantastic with a pixie cut – rather like Emma Watson, for example, here: http://www.thefunfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/201….
Perhaps do it once to get it out of her system! So glad she is up, playing board games and pondering hairstyles.
_Leila says
Wow, Elaine — people say that Bridget sort of resembles Emma Watson — I think someone here on the blog said that. I dunno — that one seems very short to me!
Kh. Patty says
I thought the same thing! Go down a few comments to the link I posted where her hair is a bit longer now. 🙂
Anne says
I think that hair that short would be a little fussy, especially with the long bangs. Also, her hair is so pretty…we aren't all so blessed! In general, lawlers have fantastic hair, just look at that picture of the four girls to the right.
That being said, I like Sukie's short do.s. Something like that would be short and cute and less fussy and give the shorter bit time to catch up.
_Leila says
Annie, your hair is very pretty!
Elizabeth says
One of my great regrets from high school is that I didn't cut my hair off short. I think it works best when you're younger, and if it was me, I'd seize the opportunity!
Kathryn says
Please don't cut off your lovely hair Bridget! I DO think you could pull off the look and be adorable, BUT I love your long hair and think you'll miss all the fun styles that come with length!
Laura says
I LOVE short hair! I don't recommend the longer swept bangs, because they can be a pain. I have mine pretty short, and like one of the other readers, only need about 5 minutes a day to keep it looking good. I wash (so much quicker than long hair) mousse and dry. It's cool and effortless, even with my thick wavy hair. I think the key is to make sure you are going to the right stylist and getting a really good cut. I have had short hair with mediocre stylists and it was a bit of a nightmare. One downside is the added expense – more frequent haircuts and possibly additional products. She is a beautiful girl, and would look great with short hair. It would really bring out her eyes!
Maggie says
Cut it!! pixie hair is so much fun. If you've never had short hair before this is the perfect excuse. You could end up with a husband who doesn't want you to cut your hair like me and be stuck with it forever 🙂
here are a couple more pinterest pins to look at… http://pinterest.com/pin/9750432/ http://pinterest.com/pin/47509522/ http://pinterest.com/pin/16509032/
Jamie says
She has beautiful hair. But I also think sometimes it's good to try new things. The pixie cut will look very cute on her and while it would take a very long time to grow it back out…that's ok. Sometimes you just have to try something new for the sake of trying something new. I think she can do a lot of cute styles with different headbands and barrets. I don't know which celebrity style I like the best. Maybe the Michelle Williams one? If she decides NOT to cut her hair, I would encourage her to try some styles at sites like cutegirlshairstyles.com or princesshairstyles.com for ideas. There are lots of ways she can experiment with her longer hair with twists and accessories that are beyond a simple ponytail or french braid. Also, short hair is not necessarily easier to style. She'll still have to “do stuff” to her hair to style it to make it look cute at the shorter length otherwise she'll look like bed-head everyday! She has a beautifully shaped face and profile so she will look nice either way.
Rachael says
If she has 8 inches to take off, take it off and donate it! My mom and my step-mom have both had to wear wigs during chemo, so I grow my hair out, cut it off, donate it and start over. Its fun to do, especially when Hubby cuts off the pony tail 😀
_Leila says
Of course, Rachael, she doesn't have a hubby 🙂 I bet one of her brothers would oblige!! Yikes.
Anitra says
I want to encourage Bridget to go for it! I first cut my hair short when I was about her age. I have thick, wavy hair, and I personally find that the shorter it is, the easier it is to manage. I hardly ever use “product”, just wash, towel-dry, condition, comb out, and go!
I don't get my hair cut as often as I should to maintain this look. But I do find that the ease of a ponytail is outweighed by the time it takes me to wash, comb, and make a ponytail that I'm happy with. Especially when it's long, my hair tends to frizz and puff out, and I get sick of it. I suppose I have a little bit of bed-head look about me, but I'm OK with that.
Also – any tips on pulling back little girl's hair? My not-quite-3 year old will let me put clips or pigtails in sometimes, but even when I can get her to sit still long enough to do up her hair, it seems like it comes out again within 2 hours. I suppose it's because she's still got baby-fine hair. Should I just resign myself to either doing it multiple times every day or not at all?
_Leila says
Anitra, my girls' hair was fine when they were little, and I got really good at French braiding! Two braids, starting up high…
At least do the front with something so that it's not in her eyes. That's my one wish 😉
Anitra says
OK, thanks for the encouragement. I think I will be insisting on hair clippies to hold the sides back. Once she is used to sitting still for that, maybe we can move on to braiding.
One reason I always wanted a little girl was so that I could do someone else's hair. Now that I have a little girl with lots of hair, I'm finding she is too much like me, and can't be bothered to take the time to have her hair done up! Now I understand why my mother kept my hair in a short bob (with bangs) until I was old enough to do my own hair.
Sarah says
Her hair is beautiful, and covers up the shaved place nicely. That said, I must vote for the pixie! Now is the time to experiment with hairstyles ~ with youthful and fast-growing hair! No husbands, children around insisting that the hair not be cut. Although if I really wanted to, that wouldn't stop me!
Habou says
I think a pixie cut would look adorable on Bridget and, as so many have already said, hair grows very quickly. Especially in this family. When you're young is the time to try different dos. I had one as a teenager and it was so easy to wash, dry, comb and go. No fuss.
Mary says
Personally I think the pixie cut would look severe. Bridget is young and beautiful and I love her hair style diverse possibilities. Also, I think it may make her feel self conscious- it is a big change and then after the surgery so soon.
I would wait.
But she is beautiful and there really is no wrong answer.
Mary
Amiya says
Cut that smooth, gorgeous hair???????
!!!
Well, if Bridget does feel inclined to have it cut I'm sure it would look very becoming, but still….My advice is: if you actually have smooth hair, treasure it.
Have a great week!
Mirissa says
I happen to think she has a strong resemblance to Emma Watson (maybe the profile?) and Emma looks very cute with her short hair so I think Bridget would look adorable, too. : ) I cut my hair into a pixie cut three years ago after a lifetime of long to medium hair and I loved it. I did have the bed head problem, but I'd just wet my hair and it would dry fine. So glad to hear she's healing well!
Mary says
I haven't read the above posts so if my answer seems out of sink that's why : )
I think she is an adorable girl and she would look great with either hairdo, but if I had to choose I'd stay with longer hair. I am of the belief that long hair looks best on younger girls (40 being almost too mature for long hair, however I think I had long hair until I was 42 or so!) so if it were me I'd keep those gorgeous locks as long as possible.
Anna says
I am leaning toward not cutting it. I like her classic look.
Suki says
Well, I'm obviously in the pixie cut camp, since I made the pinterest board! And I've already expressed my thoughts in person…but I'll go ahead and put them here, too. 🙂
Bridgie's hair is gorgeous, and thick enough to cover up without any hint that several inches have been shaved. I think that the problem will come when that part has grown to a couple of inches, which would stick out from under a braid or pony tail. It would probably still be workable, but may be a bit of a nuisance.
Also, hair really does grow fast! I've been cutting my hair very short and then growing it long for over a decade, and I enjoy it.
Mom, I love that you point out that the surgeon is better at stitching up her skin that you are at using Paint!! 🙂
Monica says
I say no, and here's why- scar tissue is extremely sensitive to the sun, and it's basically impossible to apply sunblock to the scalp, so she'd have to wear a hat outside all the time, which would mess up her 'do.
But she'd be cute either way!
_Leila says
Monica, that's a good point. I think we'd wait until the fall to do anything anyway, but we'll have to ponder that one. On the other hand, as Sukie says, we'd wait until the shaved part had grown out enough to cover things up anyway. The scar is amazingly thin!
Stephanie says
Think of all the wonderful pixie cuts…like Maria in the Sound of Music and I love Roberta in Swiss Family Robinson with her pixie and what about when the twins pixie it in the Parent Trap (my poor husband really thought it was really two different actresses 🙂 Lol…maybe those won't convince you if you don't like any of those characters…but my girls and I do love Tangled when Rapunzel gets her pixie!
Breanna says
Bridget, have fun with short hair if you want to! If Hepburn can do it, so can you.
I am obliged to be supportive, unlike a lady at church who told a friend of mine considering cutting her hair, while I was standing there (growing out my hair), “Oh, I wouldn't cut my hair if I were you. Short hair goes through this really ugly stage while it is growing out…”
It does *not*. So there. 🙂 Go for it Bridget!
Barbara says
A short cut is darling and fashionable, and Bridget's sweet face would look cute with one, but she should be absolutely sure it is what she wants. Yes, she can grow it back, but often with frustration — it takes a long time and it doesn't always look pretty.
_Leila says
Just one more thought to add to the mix — the growing out thing is not a problem around here, as we wouldn't be taking her to a salon at all! I've always cut my family's hair, and am pretty good at do's if I say so myself. And Rosie and Deirdre, albeit far away, also do a great job with upkeep. We can trim and neaten up at will.
I get paralyzed at the thought of many trips to the hairdresser– that was always argument enough for long hair! But these days we're pretty well fixed in that department.
Ted says
Wow – nice drawing of the incision!
regan says
i am partial to a pixie cut on young girls…but she is so darling that whatever style she chooses will be adorable! prayers for continued healing…and that she will be able to hold her head up without that tired, sore feeling sooner than later! happy fourth to the mothers and daughters on this lovely blog!
Phyllis says
NO!!! Her hair is so smooth and thick and beautiful long.
HollyElise says
If you'll be trimming, etc, at home then I vote again – go for it! Suki's point about the shaved bit growing out underneath the part that is long now and causing trouble is a good one.
Rock a pixie, Bridget! 🙂
Kh. Patty says
I'm kinda into the short—even pixie, which I thought I'd never get into. When you said “pixie” in the same thought as “Bridget,” Emma Watson's new style recently popped into my head. I think they have somewhat similar eyes. Here's a somewhat grown out version of her pixie: http://celebsalon.sheknows.com/short-hairstyles/e…
Becka says
Her long hair is lovely and covers up the problem. I think she might miss the versatility of the long hair. Hers looks beautiful down and braided. Mine is thick and frizzy, so long hair has never been a good choice.
Donna L. says
Hi Leila and Bridget,
I myself, love her long hair–it's just gorgeous! My fine, thin hair grows so slowly that it's painful for me to have it cut ever. In fact, my hairdresser and I have a joke that she gets a tip in inverse relation to the amount of hair on the floor when I am done-tiny bit of hair=bigger tip!
I polled my two daughters who are 12 and 14 and one says, “leave it long” and the other says, “I love the short hair–that is just how I want *my* hair cut!”
So, those were our thoughts….so glad she is feeling better!
justamouse says
Dd says it depends on the shape of her face.
anne says
bridget is just beautiful. she could definitely pull off a short cut!! and then she can grow it back. if she's not feeling the short do, i'm sure it will be fine to keep it long while the shaved area grows back. by the way, so happy to see her progress and how well she's doing post-surgery.
Jan says
Cut it! A pixie will look adorable on her. Wash and go. So easy and cute. She can always let it grow again. I think she should try it. She may fall in love and never grow it back. I can not wait to hear what she decides. I am glad her surgery went well and that she is up and around, and looking fabulous!
Melissa says
Her hair is so beautiful! How could you cut it?
Jessica says
I really like the hair on Mandy Moore at your pinterest site. I'm not sure how old Bridget is now, but I have long, straight, thick hair like her and I have chopped my hair off many times, and the first time was when I was about 12 years old. Never that short, because I find that longer hair is easier to style, but I have never regretted going short. I enjoy it for a while, and when I start to pine for my long hair I just grow it back. Assuming that her hair grows quickly she should go for it if it's what she wants!
Carol says
I vote keep it the same. I have found that she may not be able to grow it back with the same strength that it has now. She looks great. It is easier to take care of long hair and it may not cover things on a bad hair day. She has lovely, beautiful hair and you would never know what she went through, God continue to bless her.
Linda says
Keep it long. Hair that gorgeous should be kept. 🙂
Liz says
Bridget is so beautiful that she can pull off either a short style or a long one – lucky girl! I'm glad that she is recovering so well!
Rachel P. says
I cut all my waist-length hair off when I was sixteen and felt it was a good thing because it let me know just how important longer hair is! I can tell Bridget that I had major fall out with my hair after my each of my babies was born and if I had not had long hair to help me deal with the grow out process I would have gone insane. I vote keep the long hair. It's gorgeous.
Christina says
I vote absolutely NO on the pixie. They never have that cute tousled look for more than two minutes. Seriously. My sister, who has beautiful thick hair like B's regretted this haircut the instant she got it. I can show you embarrassing photos if you need proof. : ) They will tell you, at the hair dresser's, that they can “thin it with a razor comb” and you must. not. let. them.
What about a bob? I'm a huge fan of bobs!!!
Robin says
Ok, first, those footsteps you hear are me running (fast) away from that Pinterest thingie. Oh. My. Goodness could I waste time there.
And I say that if Bridget decides to cut her hair, embrace The Hair Product. I've recently gotten back into semi-short hair, and I can't believe all of the stuff in bottles that help it look like I want it. In fact, Auntie Leila, I do all of the haircutting in my house, too, but for a cut like any that have been suggested so far, I would consider taking her to a well-recommended stylist, to get tips on maintenance. Then watch like a hawk to see how she cuts it!
Bobbi says
Hahaha…thanks for clarifying that it was her corn you cut off and not her head. I laughed out loud and my kids wanted to know what was so funny! HAHA! I think she might have to endure more “bad hair days” if she keeps it long…but if that's what she's used to she'd probably like it better. Of course, hair cut short will always grow long again.
mary says
I just cut all my hair off in a pixie cut Thursday! I say go for it!
Katie says
Such beautiful hair – please don't cut it!
(Also, I have a scar on my head and have always worn my hair long to cover it)
Laura says
Sometimes a new haircut no matter what for just makes you feel pampered. I think a cute young look would be the hair style of Rapunzel from the movie Tangled. Of course not the mile long golden hair, haha, but at the end when it is cut off to the short layered look.
Christina says
Those short cuts are cute, but you have to have thin/fine hair for them to work well. Bridget's hair looks too thick and luxurious for a pixie cut. She looks gorgeous with long hair–it's more youthful and versatile. Keep it long!
Maggie says
is it too late to comment? I love the mandy moore one best. it would be super fun, and you can always go shorter if you want.
Sue says
Goodness, I have been out of touch! Reading backwards now, but Bridget- you've such a lovely sweet face I definitely think you could pull off super-short hair! It's a bit of fun in the summertime, eh? Take good care, my dear, I hope you're feeling as good as you look!
Mamabear, JD says
You know, I forgot how fun it was to do something new and fun with your hair, so I am amending my earlier comment to say that she should go for it! But I never like to go shorter than chin length because I don't feel feminine any shorter….I went and had extensions put in this week and though they are super ridiculous for this mother of 4, sometimes you just need to do someone fun!!
mamabear,jd says
Ahem. Do someTHING fun. Feel free to delete that little comment. My job used to depend on proofreading, but the ipad and my tired eyes have hatched an evil plot to embarrass me.
mamabear,jd says
Mamabear, a high maintenance follower of LMLD, has issued a public retraction here: http://theonewithallthekids.blogspot.com/2011/07/…
and will no longer post comments on a mobile device while keeping small children off of the staircase and/or out of the dog dish!