Wonders of Sign Language for babies

I started teaching my son sign language when he was about 9 months old. I read that you could start introducing them when babies turn 6 months old. I never really believed in it, but I wanted to try. I was a full time mom so I had a lot of time on my hands to teach him something.

 Ive had a couple of people tell me that they aren't teaching their kids because they are babbling to much already or that it will effect their speech development. Actually my research tells me that it helps with their speech as they grow. Your enhancing not replacing the language. My son was babbling and talking a lot when he was 9 months old and I still taught him. It doesn't matter if they are talking a lot, you can still teach them and they'll still learn.

I first taught him simple ones like "more" and "eat". I stuck with those ones for about a month. Than I added in "bath", "done", "sleep" and "please". I wanted to stay small and not to over do it with his developing brain. He did have a helmet on for about 5 months so that kinda put a damper in his learning and me teaching. Nash had a hard time with "thank you" because it was the same hand signals as blowing kisses. When he would eat I would say more and sign it than give him another bite. Than when he would refuse his food I would say done than sign it. Also whenever I would give him something, give him a bath or when he gets hungry I would say it than sign it. I did this every time we did that activity. I loved the time we spent together with him learning and me teaching. For a 10 month old he was so into it. He was almost 11 months old when teaching died down. I was thinking " what am I doing? Im trying to teach a 10 month old to talk" so I stopped.

This is the chart I used.

At 11 months old he would finish eating than do the sign for more. I was so surprised... I thought I was teaching him wrong. Turns out I wasn't, he got every single sign I was teaching him.
The communication with me and my son was amazing. I would know exactly what he wanted when he wanted it. I loved it!! He would throw less fits and the whining is dying down. He would just go right up to me and sign what he wanted. It really helped anyone who babysat him especially the daycare and my mother in law and mom. I had to tell them what meant what but it wasn't that hard to learn.

My son is now 2 and his vocabulary is amazing. He is still signing but he will say it while he signs it. When he wants something or his sippy filled up he'll just give it to me and say "more" and do the sign. When hes eating ill say are you done or do you want more. He'll do either sign and Ill know exactly what he wants and what to do to make him happy. Teaching him made it less frustrating to communicate with him. Especially now since he's 2 and hes just learning to talk. Its not just easy on me its easy on Nash. He hardly ever whines, and doesn't get mad and throw fits. ( he does throw tantrums if he wants something and he can't have it or when his tv show isnt on or when we make him come inside)

I absolutely loved teaching him. While I was teaching him, he was also teaching me. He was teaching me to be patient and the ability to be a teacher. It takes so much patience and time to teach a baby sign language. Although, once they get that in their brains they don't forget it. I also noticed that he listens a little better when I speak to him. When I call his name and tell him to do something he'll do it. For example Ill give him something and say "go throw it in the garbage please" he'll take it and do what I ask. I make sure I say please and thank you to him. He's at the point now when he sees something on the floor and picks it up. Ill say that's garbage and he'll know what to do.

This post is a little short and sweet. Mostly about how I taught my son and the benefits of teaching babies and what it does for them when they get older. I cannot believe how much Nash learns everyday. He loves to learn new things everyday and I love teaching him. I am still teaching him new ones, they will sign until they are at least 3 thats when they are more into talking.
I know that teaching him sign language was the right thing to do for my son.

I hope this post helps other moms who are teaching their kids sign language.

DIY: Sensory bag for babies/toddlers

I got all the stuff from the dollar store. My son absolutely loved this. I had to double bag mine just in case.

What you'll need:

• Hair gel (depends on the size, the one I got fills up one small ziploc bag.)
• Figurines (dinosaurs, bugs, cars, anything works)
• Glitter
• small ziploc bag. 

What to do:

Fill bag up with hair gel, not all the way maybe a little more than half. Put glitter in and mix it up. Place figurines in, zip it up tight, mix it around and let your toddler explore. 

Wendy's copycat frosty

I have just found the recipe from the devil!!! This tastes just like the frostys at Wendy's!! Its evil.. but
it tastes so good. The best part its only 3 ingredients!!! Ill give you the exact measurements for it,but when I made it I just guessed. The measurements make a ton of it.

What you'll need:

• 1/2 gallon Chocolate milk ( milk with chocolate syrup works too)
• 1 can Sweetened condensed milk
• 1 container cool whip

What to do:

Mix all ingredients together in blender. It will be milky.. that's normal. Just freeze and it will thicken up. I just added ice to mine after I mixed it and it still tastes the same. 

If you want vanilla just don't add the chocolate syrup.

I do not take credit for the pictures and recipe.

Broccoli and cheese stuffed spaghetti squash

Spaghetti squash is an amazing food to cook with. Its so healthy for you and you can replace it with a lot of stuff. Here is a recipe I found and had to share for the world to see. This is so easy and delicious. On another post I did baked spaghetti squash this is a little different, but some of the same steps.

I do not take credit for this pic

What you'll need:

• 1 full spaghetti squash cut in half, length wise
• 2 cups of chopped broccoli 
• garlic
• salt and pepper
• italian seasoning
• mozzarella or italian blend cheese.
• Parmesan cheese, shredded

What to do:

Place tinfoil on tray than the squash. Put oil on both sides of the squash and S&P. Place the squash face down. 

On one side of the squash place broccoli, cover with oil and Parmesan cheese. On the other side place any veggie you desire (asparagus, carrots, zucchini etc..) Cover in oil and Parmesan cheese and Italian mixture. Bake till the squash and veggies are soft and lightly brown. About 10-15 min. 

Turn over the squash and scrape out the spaghetti and place in a large bowl. Mix in the broccoli, Italian cheese, S&P, garlic and Parmesan cheese. Mix well and place back into empty squash bowls. Take other veggie off of tray and put it on another plate. Put more cheese on top and put back in oven till the cheese is brown and melted.