Baby Sign Language

---

When I had my son I decided that I wasn’t going to do sign language with him. I thought it was a weird, hardcore parent thing that was unnecessary.

It wasn’t until his therapists urged us to show him a few signs to get by, that I started to realize it was quicker for him to sign what he wanted than try to find the words.

We started off slowly with just 2 signs (more and all done) and he perfected them almost immediately. He started to use them purposefully, which made it easy for us to know what he wanted.

I then expanded his repertoire to ‘thank you’ and ‘open’, which he uses continually throughout the day.

‘Please’ and ‘help’ have been a bit harder to teach because they have more hand movements than the others, but with some practice he will probably get them or a version of them that he can do and you can understand.

A good way to encourage them to continue with the sign language is to recognize that they are trying and also do what they are asking…within reason that is.

Our son used to sign ‘all done’ 10 seconds after we put him in his highchair. What I would do was say ‘not yet’ every time he would do it so he knew that I understood what he was trying to say.

Some parents believe that starting to sign with their baby will prevent them from learning how to speak.

If you say the word and do the sign, they will learn both and do the one that is easiest at the time.

Here is a great video that shows a mom going through a bunch of different signs with her 1 year old.

This baby is very smart and her mom is a certified baby signs teacher, so don’t think that your child needs to know 30 or 40 signs.

The average baby will learn 5 or 6 and they won’t be the same ones that your friends are teaching their kids. Pick out a few to start (more and all done are easy to do and learn) and then go from there.

That video was created by Laura Berg who instructs at www.smarthands.ca

To see a few beginner signs, please visit Babies and Sign Language and click on the words that interest you.

This site is one of the very few sites that will actually show you the signs without having to purchase a kit or package.

---

Product Review: Kee-Ka Organics For Baby

Written by Cari, GYB Contributor

---

I received a “Kee-Ka Cupcake” package from a friend after recently having a baby. I had never heard of the product but I am thoroughly impressed with the quality and design.

Each gift is packaged in a ready-to-mail eco-friendly-package, making gift-sending a snap!

We received the adorable pink and brown hooded towel ($50.00) and face cloth which seems to get softer every time I wash it.

The vibrant colours have have held up exceptionally well and the size is perfect for washing and drying a little one.

I also received a “burp and bib” set and a “onesie outfit” set ($48.00), both individually packaged in their own organic packaging and both adorable.

The organic cotton is soft and washes well.

Kee-Ka not only provides tasteful & fun gifts, but also offers eco-friendly gift options for babies, toddlers and pets AND gives back to community groups who support sick children and other relief causes.

Check out their website: www.kee-ka.com

Nancy Grace Talks About Her Twins

---

Last week Nancy Grace delivered her twins two months early.

John David weighed 5 pounds, 1 ounce at birth, while Lucy Elizabeth weighed only 2 pounds, 15 ounces when she was born.

CNN, Nancy’s employer, has been running message’s from the host on the status of the babies and her experience so far.

November 6, 2007: Nancy says: “I just visited Lucy Elizabeth and John David last night in the neonatal unit. They were worth every ache, every pain, and every risk. Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts speeding our ways.”

November 7, 2007: Nancy says: “At this moment I am holding John David for the very first time and its true what they say….he was crying and when he heard his mother’s voice he got completely still. I wonder what he will be when he grows up and what side he will part his hair on. P.S. I snuck his hat off and I think he is beautiful.”
” … now I am with Lucy Elizabeth. I was totally wrong….she is the most beautiful thing I have seen. I wonder if either of them can remember the last 8 months? She is holding my right index finger with her right hand. I wonder if she will paint her fingernails or be a pro-baseball player. I want to hug them so hard but I don’t want to hurt them.”

November 9, 2007: Dean Sicoli, Nancy’s Executive Producer, spoke to Nancy last night: “Nancy says the twins are doing great! They are beautiful and she absolutely cannot wait to bring them home. She is so appreciative of all the well wishes from her viewers.”

November 12, 2007: “Lucy Elizabeth and John David both lost weight at first, but now they are gaining. She is feisty and he is laid back — we even have to wake John David up to make him eat. Every night during the pregnancy I would sing them to sleep with the same songs after the show; and now, when they are fussy, I hold them and sing the same songs and they immediately calm down… So maybe they do remember the last few months. Their favorite seems to be “Swing Low Sweet Chariot!” They both smile all the time. They wear the hats that you sent in to maintain their body temperature. I know in my heart they would not be doing this well without your love and prayers, please keep praying! I miss you guys, Ngrace”

---

Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams Have Identical Bedrooms For Daughter

---

Even though Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger are no longer a couple, they are still committed to keeping continuity in their daughters life.

A source told the New York Post newspaper, the two are creating identical bedrooms for their daughter in their respective New York apartments.

They are having them designed exactly the same so when she wakes up in Heath’s place she won’t feel displaced.

Michelle still lives in the brownstone that the couple shared while together. Reports suggest that the Michelle may be selling that home because it is too big.

Does that mean that she will have to create the same bedroom in her new house as well?? Probably…

SOURCE

---

2 of The Soldani Babies Go Home

---

The Soldani boys have made their way home from their brief, yet eventful stay in the NICU.

They were able to persevere through infections and isolation. All that is left for their sister to join them.

Lucia is still in the NICU due to some oxygen setbacks but the couple hopes to have her home soon.

Gracie blogs that:

They have us wrapped around their little fingers and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We are trying very hard to keep them on the NICU schedule. So far so good. The 2.5/3 hr feedings are a lot of fun to say the least and Brian is a huge help. Our dogs are super excited and protective of the new additions to our pack.

Lucia, Santino and Bruno are the 3 remaining sextuplets born on September 12th, 2007.

At the time of birth, doctors said that they were not sure what happened to the other 3 sextuplets (named Bailey, Joley, and Brianna) in utero.

Tests done prior to delivery showed all of the babies were alive, but three were born still-born three days later.

Doctors said they had to perform an emergency C-Section because Gracie was going into kidney failure.

The births were attended by 40 doctors, nurses and technicians.

Thank you to quintland.com(a site dedicated to the Dionne quintuplets) for the heads up on the homecoming!

Related Articles:

Sylas Morrison is Finally Home
Fifth Byler Sextuplet Ready To Go Home
4 Of The Minnesota Quintuplets Feeding On Their Own

---