Rosie Scribble

Book review and giveaway: Signing Hands - Baby Signing Basics

I’m a huge fan of baby signing as it is the one thing that helped me communicate with IJ until she was two years old. Until that age she struggled with her speech so I learnt the basic signs on the recommendation of her speech and language therapist. It proved liberating for both of us. I was so impressed the results I even went on to complete a Makaton course.

Baby signing is even more popular now than ever before and it isn’t just children with communication problems that can benefit from it. It’s useful for all babies.

I was interested in receiving a copy of a new basic guide to baby signing called Signing Hands: Baby Signing Basics from Little Learner Books (RRP £10.99) to find out what sort of literature is available on the market now.

My daughter is too old for baby signing now so we are going to use the book with my new nephew when he is old enough. It’s something the whole family will be able to get involved with and we are keen for our Chinese relatives, who are here in the UK at the moment, to try it too. It is one thing that will break down the language barrier we currently have and mean everyone can learn the signs together and understand each other.

The book was produced in collaboration with leading British Sign Language author, Cath Smith, and experienced baby signing teachers. It gives parents first signs to get started with, but also includes tips for success from experienced baby signing teachers as well as crucial development information and what to expect from your baby. It was also a finalist in the ‘Most Innovative Baby Product 2010’ at The Baby Show for Trade.

It is beautifully illustrated and the one thing I love about it most is that it is multi-cultural. The illustrations include babies and children from a variety of backgrounds, which I think spot on. It is quite a small book but contains a lot of information including the benefits of baby signing, how to get the most out of the book and tips on when to get started.The first signs for parents to use cover categories such as food and drink, family and home, bedtime, pets and feeling words.

Baby singing is something which has proved hugely beneficial to our family and a subject I could really get quite emotional about. Without it we would have been completely stuck. So for so many reasons, I recommend this book.

To enter the giveaway:

I have two copies of the book to giveaway.

To be in with a chance of winning simply leave a comment on this blog.

For an extra entry, mention this giveaway on twitter and leave a comment to let me know you have done so.

Two winners will be selected using a random number generator.

Books will be sent straight from the publisher.

The giveaway closes at midnight Sunday 6th February.

Winners will be announced on Tuesday 8th February.

Due date

 
It was the heat wave of 2003, and when I awoke the significance of the day registered at once.  My due date. The day that had been etched on my mind for almost nine months. It was finally here. Yet I was feeling surprisingly calm.

Convenient then that I was already at the hospital. I’d been there for two days, pacing the corridors, trying to snatch as much sleep as I could. There would be no journey to make, no last minute panic, no hospital dash, which was nice.

It meant I could simply stroll over to the nurses’ station and ask: “Should I have a bath before the birth or after?”

It seemed a sensible question at the time. Odd then that I should find the nurse looking at me with an expression of concern, possibly intrigue. But I needed an answer so I returned her you-look-a-little-confused gaze, and waited.

“No love,” she said finally, “you had your baby two days ago.”

“Oh.” I said patting my very obvious bump.

I glanced across at the maternity ward, full of new mums with cots next to their beds. But next to my bed there was nothing, not even an empty cot.

Then the realisation hit me – the little girl who frequently runs late in the mornings, and who has absolutely no sense of time-keeping, had arrived two days early. She was safe and well but being monitored in Special Care, just as a precaution, which was why she was not with me.

I didn’t have to go through it all again.

Which meant I could have that bath.

 
This was my due date seven years ago written for Josie’s Writing Workshop. The prompt – Due date, which I have taken literally!

Photo credit

Next Baby Boutique Model Competition 2010

I'm not sure what the couple in the background are doing, but this camel isn't cute. Although not everyone will agree.  It's all a matter of personal taste, but camels aren't for everyone.

Baby modelling competitions are not for everyone either, but if they are  then the following information may interest you ... 

Today marks the launch of the Next Baby Boutique Model Competition in association with Prima Baby.

Infants aged from newborn up to 36 months can enter. There are two categories:

1. From birth up to 18 months
2. From 19 months up to 36 months

Winners will receive £500 of Next vouchers, a 12-month modelling contract with Urban Angels and take part in a photoshoot for Next and Prima Baby.

To enter and for full terms and conditions visit facebook.com/nextonline. The competition closes at 12 noon on 19 November 2010.

Sponsored post.

Photo credit: getye1

Mummy, put this on your blog

It seems that once again I have underestimated the intelligence of one seven-year-old girl, or possibly the amount of time I spend on-line.

Yesterday it seemed a good idea to talk to her about my blog and explain to her what it is all about -- well, her mostly.

It seemed sensible to be open and honest and to explain to her what a blog is. I often ask her to pose for photographs to post on here, so it seemed only right that she understood what it is all about.

Yet halfway through my carefully prepared explanation of computers and websites and writing posting stories on-line, she interrupted with the line: "Are you talking about your blog?"

I half expected to announce that for the last seven years she has been writing one too, but no.

However, she did announce  that she had something she wanted me to post on my blog; something that everyone might like to see because it really is very very interesting.

I'm not sure it really is that interesting, although I did reassure IJ that I thought everyone would think he was very soft and cuddly.

At which point she stated very firmly that: this is not a teddy bear.

This is a pregnant women.

The Gallery: A smile

This week's Gallery theme is: A smile.

Here's one of my favourites:

Long gone are the days when she would wear a I Heart Mummy t-shirt.

She's still smiling though.