I graduated from Auburn University in March of 1998 with a degree in Early Childhood Education.  After moving back home I taught with the local school system for four years teaching 2nd and 3rd grade.  I was blessed with my beautiful daughter in July of 2003.  When she was 9 months old one of my friends invited me to a Baby Signs^® Parent Workshop she was hosting.  I loved it!  I couldn't wait to begin and we bought the books right away.  Within a month she was signing love, cheerios, and dog and she was using the word "Mama."  We were all so excited!  We were amazed to see how quickly she learned and began using her signs.  Not only that, but her oral vocabulary began to grow also.  She was using at least 14 signs within 3 months and was speaking 10 oral words.  By the time she turned two she could count and identify numbers to 10 and could say and identify the alphabet.  She routinely scored at a higher age group on her well check pediatrician visits.  I am convinced her early introduction to communication allowed us to develop all these other skills.  I signed with my second child also.  Not only was it wonderful to watch him learn, but my two children are only 22 months apart.  So Allie was still signing when Jake was born.  It was wonderful to watch them communicate together at such an early age.

 

While I am currently taking a break from teaching The Baby Signs^® Program, I still highly recommend it to all expecting parents and parents of young children I speak with.  Along of course with umbilical cord blood banking.  My husband and I hope we will never need our banked cord blood for either of our children.  But we will be so thankful if we ever do need it that we took this once in a lifetime opportunity to bank it for both children.  Especially when we think of where this medical miracle will end up in the future - it's just so exciting to think where research can bring us in different cures and treatment options to so many life threatening diseases and lifelong illnesses!  We just couldn't pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity to possibly save our children one day - and even possibly ourselves through their blood.  I highly encourage all parents to research their options in this area!  Please contact me with any questions or for discount information!  (amyharbour@comcast.net)