Hair

Since this afternoon was kind of gray...and Helen was home...and Miriam kept looking at me like I didn't know what I was doing when I would pick her afro...I decided to make my first attempt at styling African hair.  Her hair has been one of the things I have fretted over the most...taking care of it...what products to use...making sure it looked appropriate when we went out.  I have done lots of research.  There is a fantastic website called Chocolate Hair/Vanilla Care that has been really helpful...but also can be a bit overwhelming.  A friend came over and gave me a quick tutorial before we left for DRC.  Also, I had friends asking their friends and received some great products and good advice before I left.  Since we have been home, I have been feeling a bit more confident as I put product in and detangled and fluffed Miriam's cute little afro.  The other day, I was reading a blog from a family who adopted another little girl from Miriam's same orphanage.  This mom did some flat row twists(I think that is what it is called) on her daughter's hair.  She referenced a youtube video...which Helen and I promptly watched.  I thought...maybe just maybe I could pull this off.  So, armed with lots of hair product, assorted combs, clips, and nimble fingers, I set to work.  It took me almost one and a half hours to complete this look.  It is not perfect and as I type this I can see it is already coming out, but Miriam likes it.  Here are a few photos of the finished product.