Baby Signing

Ok, so first off, for all you mom's out there who do not get "Parents" magazine- it is a definite MUST! I'm telling you, everytime I read it I learn something new on how to be a better parent/mother, things I need to be helping Crew with, etc. (This may have to be the new shower gift for moms-to-be! Hint Hint!) But as I was reading my new issue, I came across a section on baby signing. I always heard about sign language for babies, but I never realized how important it was. Here is a quote from my magazine..

"Babies who communicate through sign language before they can speak learn to talk earlier, score higher on intelligence tests, develop a larger vocabulary, display more self-confidence, and engage in more sophisticated play compared with their non-signing peers, according to numerous studies."

Ok, so I am hooked now!!! After I read this I got online and looked up some common baby signs. We tried it all tonight-so we will see how long it takes Crew to pick it up! Hope this helps some of you moms out there. If you have any tips let me know! =)

http://www.parents.com/baby/development/sign-language/whats-your-sign/?ordersrc=rdparents0291

P.S.- Aunt Mary, I may be calling you for some help!
(She is a sign language teacher- what an amazing gift to communicate with the deaf!)

Happy Father's Day!

I know I am one day late, but Happy Father's Day! What amazing father's we have! We celebrated the day with our 2 father's- Brett and My Dad in Katy!! Brett's dad passed away 5 years ago, so he was in our thoughts all day as well, wishing he was here to celebrate! It was also the first father's day for me without any grandpa's since my Grandpa Ray passed away a few months ago- we miss you Grandpa Graceffa, Grandpa Lattal, & Grandpa Duncan!

But.... it was Brett's First Father's Day and we made it extra special celebrating with both dads. We cooked breakfast for the dad's, relaxed by the pool, and cooked a big salmon for an afternoon lunch/dinner. Everything turned out great! That was followed by some gift opening! (both dad's go new IPods and a mug from Crew with his picture- and of course a few other things.)
We also gave each father a plaque that said:
"The greatest gift I ever had came from GOD, and I call him DAD."
We thank God everday for such wonderful men and examples to follow!
Here are some pics from our Father's Day weekend in Katy!

Happy 1st Father's Day Daddy!

Crew celebrating Father's Day with his Daddy and Papa!

UPDATE and "The Move!"

Well lets see, its been about 7 months since I have written last. Our big news is that we MOVED! We are now living in Austin! Brett got a new job as a corporate attorney for the company that builds tollroads in the US, and he absolutely loves it! We decided that the one place we would move to in Texas is Austin, so we have really been enjoying it! I am now staying at home with Crew, so it is really nice getting to watch him grow.

Crew is now 9 months old and is so much fun! He started crawling a few weeks ago and is now pulling up on everything- watch out world- we are mobile!! Crew has 4 teeth and 2 more are coming in. He also started eating table food!! We started swim lessons last week and Crew absolutely loved it. He was non-stop smiling and giggling the whole time. The teacher is great on getting the kids acclamated to the water, and they have so many activities to keep them busy! Now that I am home more I am going to try to keep up with this site so you can know what is going on with us. Here are a few pics from the last few months to get you up to date (in descending order)! Look at our shutterfly share site for more!

Zilker Park in Austin

Hey Mom!!

Beau (and Jodi) came to visit!

Crew and Beau going for a car ride!

Swinging at Grancie's- Memorial Day

Brett's bday at Grancie's

Celebrating daddy's bday


Crew's 1st trip to the Oasis

Crew's 1st time to swim- the Hollows-Lake Travis

Beautiful Austin!

Swimmin!

Crew's 1st winery- walking in the grapes with Grammy

Just a small family right? - The Graceffa's
Grandpa Ray's funeral in Rockford
(oh how we will miss you!)

Crew got to meet his Great Grandma Lattal for the 1st time!

Playing in the bluebonnets at Grancie's


Playin' in daddy's old wagon



Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny came!

Aggie jammies are my daddy's favorite!

Dallas Arboretum


Rollin' in the grass at the Arboretum

Crew's 1st Haircut

Big boy haircut!

Happy St.Patrick's Day!

Playin' at Grancie's

Happy Valentine's Day!
(my mommy is FINALLY home from 2 wks in the hospital!)

Crew celebrating his first Superbowl in mommy's hospital room!

Crew survived the biggest snowstorm in Dallas!
Feb 2010

Wonder who dressed me here?
Coming to visit mommy in the hospital.
And he learned to hold his own bottle!

Crew 5 months

How about a little laundry?
Crew 4 months

Crew's 1st Christmas- In Papa's old sled!

Uncle John

Uncle Jeff

Grammy
Our Little Santa!

Christmas at Grancie's

Christmas 2009

Christmas!



Happy Boy!

Santa came!

HoHoHo!

Dallas Arboretum

On our way to Crew's Baptism

Crew's big day!

Our sweet angel the wearing the baptism gown I wore,
over 109 years old!

Crew's baptism celebration!

Aunt Julie!

fam pic


(Couldn't figure out how to turn the pic).. but this was to cute not to post!



Our little giraffe- Happy Halloween!

Halloween 2009

Handing out candy
Happy Fall- Dallas Arboretum

We love our little pumpkin!

Crew and Beau

Crew and Weston

Uncle Duncan and Great Grandma- Crew 6 weeks

Papa and Crew

Celebrating my bday with the girls

Daddy and Crew love to sleep!

2 weeks old

New family on my bday

Crew and Beau's 1st playdate



Love sleeping in my swing!

Mommy and Crew

1st day home

Uncle Jeff

Leaving the hospital


Swaddling up!


Our sweet blessing!

Happy Grandparents!!

Crew Dale Carson arrived 8.21.09 weighing 6 lbs 10 oz and 21"


3 weeks early!!!
This boy s ready to come- on our way to the hospital!