On Being Pregnant

Hello and Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Cannot believe my daughter's paper chain countdown only shows 3 more links left...

When I re-launched this blog, I mentioned I'd occasionally write about my own thoughts and opinions on things. I haven't really done that yet and I want to. Last week, I shared an article I found to be so helpful on what to expect during postpartum. That gave me an idea: why not share my pregnancy and mommy experiences? I enjoy reading other mothers' experiences, for one, because it's interesting, and for two we all know that women love to compare so yeah, I admit, it's fun to compare. It's also nice to see if you relate to anyone else out there in this great big world. And I do realize that women can, and do, have a tendency to suddenly become very long-winded when they start talking about pregnancy, being a mom, their children, etc. I apologize if this happens and you are bored. Feel free to stop reading whenever.

With that said, here is my experience with pregnancy. I have now been pregnant 1.66 (repeating) times.

Baby #1, at 28 weeks

What I expected it to be like before actually being pregnant:

• Throwing up for 3 months straight
• Ballooning into an elephant by the time 9 months was up
• Having maternal powers to predict the gender of the baby
• Experiencing insane cravings that must.be.met.NOW!
• Tirinig
• A beautiful time to bond with my unborn child

What it actually was like for me:

• I am so grateful to say for both of my pregnancies, I have thrown up a grand total of 3 times. I really, truly feel so blessed that it has been such a breeze-of-a first trimester for me. Especially because I know of women who are on bed rest and/or are living over the toilet for 3 months. 
• I've experienced selective ballooning with my pregnancies. My arms have stayed the same but, well, other parts of me have not been as fortunate...
• I have had no maternal powers whatsoever to guess the gender of my babies. Wrong. Both times. 
• The only cravings I had with #1 were for Taco Bell chalupas and nachos. And they weren't as strong as I thought. However, I have been pregnant during all 3 major holidays with both kids and goshdarnitwhyaretheresomanyamazingtreatslyingaroundthehouse! Zero resistance when it comes to holiday treats...thus, the selective ballooning.
• It has been tiring. As in, I-lie-down-for-2-seconds-and-I'm-asleep tiring. Mainly during the first trimester though. 
• Yes, it is a very special bonding time. So happy to have experienced this. I have overall loved being pregnant. 

What I didn't expect (that I haven't necessarily enjoyed all that much either...):

• Having to use the bathroom every other second. My goodness, it gets annoying. And most times, it seems so urgent and then it's a total, "wha? that's all there was?!" TMI, sorry.
• I expected feeling the baby move (duh) but not the kickboxing classes/gymnastics exercises! And why on earth do these exercises start right when I lie down for the night? Little munchkin is preparing me for the sleepless nights ahead, I get it...
• Along with the moving thing, it is seriously so freaky to watch your stomach bulge and move. Like something out of science fiction movie. When you stop and think about it, being pregnant is really so weird. You have another person growing inside of you....alive. Inside of your body. Crazy. Cool, but crazy. '
• Random itchy, dry skin. Been through bottles and bottles of lotion. 
• Unexplained clumsiness. Not tripping over things or falling but extreme butterfingers. I don't recall this happening before being pregnant so I think that's why it happens. Suffice it to say, it has resulted in the passing of a few plates, cups, and a Christmas ornament...
• The feeling that my abdominal muscles were being ripped from my rib cage. Anyone else have that happen? I had minimal aches and pains but that one, during 3rd trimester, was a killer. 
• The belly-touchers. Complete strangers reaching their hands out towards my large belly. Excuse me? Do I know you? I don't mind friends and family saying hi to my belly. But the creepy, Wal-Mart greeter with the flowery-gardening hat on? No thanks.
• On that same note, apparently when you are pregnant you wear a sign on your head that says: "Please, tell me how big I am and that I'm ready to pop. I also would love all the unsolicited advice you can give me!" 

Pregnancy scares: 

Baby #2, at 20 weeks

• Fortunately, there was only one. Right around 17 weeks for baby #2, I got a call from the doctor (not a nurse or receptionist so I knew it was something irregular) saying that my alpha-fetoprotein levels were abnormal. What? Well, I looked on the hospital's website and read what this could mean: 

"alpha-fetoprotein screening (AFP) - a blood test that measures the level of alpha-fetoprotein in the mothers' blood during pregnancy. AFP is a protein normally produced by the fetal liver and is present in the fluid surrounding the fetus (amniotic fluid), and crosses the placenta into the mother's blood. The AFP blood test is also called MSAFP (maternal serum AFP).

Abnormal levels of AFP may signal the following: 

• open neural tube defects (ONTD) such as spina bifida
• Down syndrome
• other chromosomal abnormalities
• defects in the abdominal wall of the fetus
• twins - more than one fetus is making the protein
• a miscalculated due date, as the levels vary throughout pregnancy"

Cue panic and hormone-induced crying for a few straight hours.  Fortunately, fortunately, fortunately we had an ultrasound and everything was fine. But what a terrifying few days before that ultrasound...made me even more grateful for this little boy coming our way.

I did warn you. These topics produce long-windedness in females. All you mamas and mamas-to-be out there: have similar experiences? What was different? The whole thing is quite miraculous.

Good luck to any other pregnant ladies reading this! 

Postpartum {via Lucie's List}: What you should know that no one tells you

Happy Tues...er, Saturday. Oops. Better late than never, right?

I noticed my past few posts have been more toddler-related. Probably, because I have a toddler. But, I need to get into baby mode again because, as some of you may know, baby #2 is in the oven and will be here in a few short months (it goes by waaaay faster round two!). Anyways, it has been awhile since I gave birth so this was a good, but filled-me-with-slight-dread-reminder of what it's really like to have a baby and the first two months after. I wish I would have read this before I had my daughter.

When you hear birth stories or watch A Baby Story on TLC, it's all roses and sugar plum fairies dancing around you and your newborn child. I heard: "Giving birth and being a mom is the most amazing experience ever. You will love it. You might have a little postpartum depression, but it will be overshadowed by the pure happiness and love you will feel for your baby." Yes, there are those moments and they are wonderful and there is happiness and love. Like this:

However...

I reaaaaally wish I would have read this article too! 

Because there are also moments like these:

image via 

image via. Her face. It's hilarious.

  

And she tells you all about these moments here: Lucie's List. Postpartum Experience

It's long and detailed. And the author has a bit of colorful language peppered through it. And she is blunt. But, I found my postpartum experience was quite similar to what she describes. She also incorporates some surveys she conducted on the topic. And, in my opinion, it's worth the read.

Am I a little hesitant to recommend this article? Yes. Only because I intend this blog to be about cheery,  G-rated things like cute babies and sunshine. But, I also intend this blog to be helpful and I think, for a first time mom especially, this would be extremely helpful baby preparation. But, just so you're not surprised, this article (compared to mine) is more PG/PG-13 rated.

It is true: having a baby is an amazing experience. Truly, there is nothing else like it and I don't want to knock it in any way. It's just nice to know about the not-so-amazing parts too for your own mental and emotional state's sake. So if you want to know the nitty-gritty details, click on the link!

5 Ways to Help Your Child's Speech Development {via "Toddler Approved/Playing with Words 365"}

Happy Tuesday!

I love this article I'm featuring today. It's written by the author (a Speech-language Pathologist) of Playing with Words 365 but featured on Toddler Approved, another fantastic website chock-full of crafts, parenting tips, child development, and more. So, basically this is a feature within a feature. Okay, now the word feature sounds weird.

Anyways, like I said, this article is wonderful.

It's entitled:

Five Tips to Help Your Toddler Learn Language and Communicate

Don't stop reading because you have a baby and not a toddler! These tips apply to babies as well. I've mentioned all of them in my Sign, Say, and Play classes since you, as a parent, would benefit by practicing these tips asap to make them habitual (not to mention, it would benefit your baby too).

Here are the 5 Tips:

1. SLOW DOWN. Slow down your pace, slow down your speech, and just live in the moment. Before I had H, every mother told me, "Savor every moment--it will go by so quickly." I didn't believe them the first 2 months of my daughter's life because, well, those months were ridiculously hard. But, now that she is almost three, I can add my voice to those moms: it does go by quickly! Along with talking slower, she also advises to use your daily routines to your advantage:

"Diaper changes, bath time, meal time...these are all so routine yet some of the best times to slow down and talk to your child. These are the moments he is learning the most."

Image via

 2. LOOK AT YOUR CHILD (AND GET DOWN ON HIS LEVEL). This is one I often need to remind myself to do. Look at her when you talk as much as possible. And, with a toddler, squat down so he can see your face and how your mouth moves and your facial expressions. Have you ever sat down and imagined living life munchkin-sized? It would be frustrating, and intimidating, to always have a humungous person literally talking down to you. Good reminder.

Image via

3. WAIT. Oooh, this one is so good. And so hard. The author does a great job explaining this one, but the basic premise is give your child time to respond. Don't jump the gun. Wait for a response and you might be surprised by your child's abilities. For example, you're reading a book with you 9-month-old and say, "Where is the dog?" Then wait................longer than you normally would. See what happens. The same applies with signing--give them time to register and process thoughts and turn it into action.

4. STOP COUNTING & START COMMUNICATING. This one is interesting. You know how we parents are always counting things with our kids? Stairs, cars, etc. etc. That is all well and good and don't stop! But, here is the author's advice:

"...remember to communicate about all the things you see in her environment. When she points at things, talk about them. Ask her questions and wait for her answer. Narrate her play sometimes and narrate your own movements. Talk to your child don't just count the stairs."

Image via

5. RETHINK YOUR TOYS. I featured another article by the same author here. She recommends these toys over those flashy, noisy, {annoying}, take-up-your-whole-living-room toys. Her list of toys allow for more open-ended play, encourage imagination and discovery, all the while increasing their speech & language at the same time.

Good stuff, huh? Hope you'll find these tips useful!

The Baby Signs, Inc. Blog

Hello! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was great and I ate way too much pie...and turkey...and mashed potatoes...and cookies.

This week I want to feature Baby Signs, Inc.'s blog, written by its founders: Dr. Susan Goodwyn and Linda Acredelo. Should have featured them first thing!

I love their blog because they are child development experts and their posts are usually short and sweet but packed with useful tips and facts. Their post I'm highlighting today talks about how The Baby Signs isn't just fun for babies...it's fun for older kids too.

My daughter, H, is 2 1/2-years-old, going on 5. The Sign, Say, and Play Classes are especially designed for babies ages 6-12 months but she LOVES BeeBo, the Baby Signs Bear, and all the songs we do in my classes. If you've ever seen a toddler do the actions to The Itsy Bitsy Spider or The Wheels on the Bus, you'll understand why this makes sense.

Image via

Here is the link: It's Not Just for Babies

Even though the post is short, I'll give you an even shorter overview of the benefits of signing for older children. According to the Dr.'s, Baby Signs:

Give language delayed kids a way to communicate.

Provide another way to give instructions—esp. helpful in stressful situations.

Give children an alternative physical action.
   
Allows teachers and children to communicate quietly & from a distance.

Enable communication with and by special needs children.

Promotes appreciation of the Deaf Community.

Older kids think it’s fun! 

So, don't stop signing completely if your toddler loves it! I think the Baby Signs Program CD is the best thing for playgroups, music time at home, and listening to in the car (but please don't sign and drive) :).

See you next week!

Happy Signing,
Gina

Happy Thanksgiving: Toddler Turkey Game {via No Time for Flashcards}

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Another website that I love is called  No Time for Flashcards. I subscribed to her e-mail list and receive great ideas each week for crafts, games, and products. I am not very savvy when it comes to crafty things so her website is a gem for me.

This week she sent this cute idea for a toddler game. And it's easy to put together.

Here is the link.


Developmental benefit: gross motor skills, learning colors, and categorization.

Basic overview: make a paper turkey head, glue it to a jar, buy colored feathers then hide them throughout your house. Toddler finds them and puts them in the jar for the turkey's "tail." Then you take the feathers, label the colors, and sort them into piles.

Cute, right? I love how simple it is! Two and three-year-olds love searching for things (you'll know this if you've ever been to an Easter Egg hunt!). This could turn into a fun tradition and way to keep kids occupied while you're eating your turkey dinner.

And here is the sign for "turkey:"

Hope you have a great holiday!


Happy Signing,

Gina

Hello Again and Top Toys for Tots {via Playing with Words 365}

After a {too long} hiatus, I feel it is time to resurrect this blog! Baby Signs with Gina Barton moved from New York City to Connecticut and it has been a bit busy ever since.

I have a new idea for what to include on here. I feel that although I am passionate about communication, signing, and speech and language development, I am not a professional on these topics and am still learning so much. So here is the idea:

Along with updates on my classes, I want to mainly feature articles and blogs that I come across that I think are so great that are written by parenting experts, Speech-language Pathologists, the founders of Baby Signs, Inc. etc. My goal in this idea is to give you resource center of sorts for many different topics concerning children, development, parenting, signing, and much more. I hope to post every Tuesday.

Sound good? I'll add my own thoughts in here and there too.

On that note, I have come across this fantastic blog/website that I love:

Playing With Words 365

I've subscribed to her e-mail list and love reading each entry she makes. With the holidays just around the corner, I know we parents are thinking and have already started to buy toys for our little ones. Katie, the blogger, features her Top Toys for Speech and Language development in a 4 installment series.

Here are the links and her lists of toys (in no particular order) if you need a quick overview:

Part 1
1. Stacking/Nesting Toys
2. Wooden Blocks
3. Balls, balls, and more balls
4. Shape Sorter
5. Toy Phone

Part 2
6. Baby dolls (for girls and boys)
7. Baby stroller and/or grocery cart
8. Cars/trucks/trains (for boy and girls)
9. Mr. Potato Head
10. Farm Set


Part 3
11. Kitchen Set
12. Doll House
13. Doctor/Vet Set
14. Dress-up clothes
15. Sand/water play table and toys

Part 4
16. Ride on/Toy car
17. Insert Puzzles
18. Magnetic Letters and Board
19. Magnadoodle
20. Play-doh


What is so great about this article is that she explains why each toy is good for speech/language development and what areas it progresses. So please, please, please go to the links and read through it if you are at all interested in why you she recommends them. It is so interesting and I feel so much better about buying a toy for my daughter knowing the benefits behind it and that  it has a professional mark of approval. I think Santa might be bringing a Mr. Potato head this year!

Such a great read!

Happy Signing,
Gina

Signing & Expansion

Image via

Research has shown that the more you talk to your baby the better it is for her speech and language development. Makes sense, right? But as busy {or just plain exhausted} moms and dads, we sometimes go about our days with our baby attached to our hip, just trying to put one foot in front of the other. Forget about talking to anyone, even the baby!

One benefit of signing, among others, is it will help you slow down and focus on interacting with your baby. Once the signs start coming, you will then know what your child is interested in and what he or she needs, instead of the mysterious point or squawk that could mean anything.


This leads to Expansion. Expansion is the lengthened response you give to your child's communication with you. For example:

Baby signs "cat."

Mom or Dad says: "Oh! You see a cat! It is such a pretty cat. Look, the cat has white fur with brown spots. Let's count the spots! 1, 2, 3...Should we pet the cat? Wow, feel how soft it is. Oh, the cat ran away! That cat is so fast!" Etc, etc. etc.

You see? You are expanding on your baby's initial communication. Take note of how often the word "cat" is used. Combine it with the sign for "cat" every time and you have just had a signing, speech, and language-rich experience about something your baby is interested in. Research has also shown that babies contain more when the subject is something they like.


This principle is true and important when you're baby starts talking as well--keep on expanding.  Also, because babies are able to sign before they can talk, these speech and language-rich experiences can happen earlier.

Remember, just because your baby is young and isn't giving you that clear, initial communication doesn't mean you shouldn't talk to him!