baby sign language January 26, 2008

I am so amazed at my son. Corey and I started teaching Ezra a couple baby signs when he was about 5 months old. “more” and “all done”. Just a couple weeks ago the sign language thing kicked in. In a matter of a couple days he was signing “more”, “all done”, and waving “bye-bye”. Not necessarily on cue, nor at the appropriate times always. But nevertheless we could see him really trying to communicate with more than facial expressions, body language and crying.

Ezra is usually having breakfast in his highchair when Corey leaves for work, and a couple weeks ago, about 10 minutes after Corey left, Ezra looked out the big window (where we wave goodbye to daddy when he leaves) and waved his arm, as if to say “daddy went bye-bye”. I was shocked and so excited! He’s done it again several times and has even done it in the evening when he is waiting for daddy to come home. For me, it’s the coolest thing so far. But it gets even better.

We went to visit some friends who just had a baby a few nights ago. While sitting chatting I showed Ezra the sign for baby (which he has seen a few times before). Almost immediately after I showed it to him, he looked at the baby and did the gesture. It looks very much like his sign for “more”, but later when we ask him to “show us baby”, he does the same sign, and smiles, as if he remembers adorable little Tobias.

And finally last night, I was praying for our dinner with my hands folded. Corey and I regularly practice this ritual and usually Ezra just ignores it, or smiles at us like we are doing something strange. But last night, as I said amen I looked up to find him smiling at me with his hands clasped in front of him. Hallelujah! The boy wants to pray.

His vocabulary continues to grow by the day: elephant trumpeting sound, car sounds, airplane sign (yesterday), banana and cracker sign (today)…

Now I know these behaviors are not unusual for children, but to experience it as a parent, not just as an educator or teacher is indescribable. To see the stages of development in communication with my child is something to “wow” about.

I would recommend babysigningtime to anyone wanting to enjoy this type of communication with your child. It’s a fun-to-watch sign language series for babies and little kiddos.

i made the switch January 24, 2008

I finally did it. I switched to cloth diapers. I ordered it all today and will pick everything up on Tuesday. Ezra- watch out! Your bum is going to feel mighty nice! Even before “going green” was a cool thing; I had considered cloth diapers. It’s great for baby’s bottom, so much better for the environment, better on the wallet, and they aren’t that hard to use (so i’ve heard :)). They were once considered old fashion- you’d be surprised what they are creating for cloth diapers now! (I’ll add that the “coolest” cloth diapers aren’t the coolest for your wallet). The Hage family is going back to basics. plain old white cloth diapers and plain old white diaper covers- no pins thank goodness. I have to thank a few friends and family for inspiring me. And babysitters- don’t worry…they make really nice, easy to use cloth diapers. You’ll love it.

three brunettes and a blonde January 22, 2008

I added some pics from cabo to my photos page. more pics are coming soon. (yep i just have to get them off the camera or off corey’s computer :()

one new years resolution January 22, 2008

i resolve to have no resolutions this year. that way i don’t set myself up for failure. actually that sounds really nice but it’s me admitting i lack a little thing called discipline. oh i try. don’t we all? i have such good intentions…but lack the follow through. they say it takes something like 2 weeks to get into an exercise routine- i think it takes 2 years (and i’ve never gotten that far), and 40 times to make something a habit (i’m making that one up)- try 40 times 40 for me. though i won’t resolve to do anything i do have dreams and they keep popping up everywhere.

i know i wrote a short story, shared it last year and have done nothing with it since. but it’s sitting there, calling my name. since then i’ve had numerous ideas about how to reach children through story and engaging adult-kid activities. every time a friend thinks of something they would like- for instance a book of great scriptures to help toddlers and preschoolers memorize the bible- i get inspired and think, i’d like to write/create that! there are a ton of ideas running through my head, the struggle is sitting down and making time to get started. it’s definitely not an i’m too busy issue. not yet anyway.

ironically enough, as much as i love books there are two strange things going on. first, when i sit down to read i’m either too distracted by dirty dishes and unpaid bills or i’m so tired i fall asleep after the first paragraph. the other strange thing is that ezra has not taken to the idea of reading a book with mommy yet. he’d much prefer to open one to the middle, close it/smash my fingers in the middle and then chew on the corners. i hope this goes away or my career in writing children’s books would be seriously discredited.

new additions to the neds in ‘07 January 5, 2008

Welcome Ezra Michael (3/29/07) and Bethany Kirstein (engaged to my brother Danny 11/22/07)

Just a quick brag about my beautiful (though sometimes wacky) family. We spent some time together at my folks place in Cabo this Christmas. We were ALL together for 5 whole days- for the first time since last christmas when we were together for, oh, 2 whole days. Yes a big family can be fragmented at times. Especially when we live in 3 different states and 2 countries.

Cute sleeping babies! Ezra looks so peaceful right? Well let’s just say during the day was about the only time he slept “peacefully”. More rantings about our “vacation” later. In summary, though it wasn’t what I classify as vacation, I wouldn’t trade the time with my family for anything.