Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I taught Madison to sign. I started her at 6 months and she signed her first "word" milk at 8 months. She and her little boy friend both learned together. His Mom and I taught classes to other Moms. He spoke very early and still has an advanced vocabulary. My child naturally is a quiet child, not making coos or babbling noises and she flourished with sign, but was slower at saying words, but still hit all milestones.
I think when they speak may not be directly affected by signing, but if they are naturally quieter, they may seem to be slower to Speak. I LOVED signing, she did not get frustrated easily or cry or whine, because she'd sign "please, more, drink, food, mommy, daddy, dog, cat, horse, pig, dirty, thank you, sleepy, hungry, bath, dance, music, share, friends, cracker, cheese, book, drive, play, fly, cookie, apple, flower, beach" All way earlier than she'd be able to say those words, so we communicated so much better so much sooner - I loved it and once she learned to say the word, she stopped signing it.  - except she will still sign and say PLEASE when she REALLY wants something!

Hmmmm - no other shops I know of. Sorry.

So a new question - which airline is best? The prices seem very similar, so which is the nicest? Plus when is the best time to go - weather and busy wise?

working on my plans....

Funny that you brought this up - We are planning a Europe trip next year, Hoping to do Paris take the train over to Italy and explore Venice Florence and Rome. I also am begging friends for tips. Rail pass seems like a no brainer. I found one tour company that can take you to the Sistine Chapel after hours for a private tour and then take you underground as well.

Be very interested in your itinerary and "tips" We'll have a 3 1/2 yr old with us - hoping it goes well with the kid!

Not sure if this event is still going on - But I would be willing to physically attend the show to sell other's bears - if that meant it helped this show going. I personally do not have bears to sell, but would sell my TT friends bears if there was a need. I know several other BIG collectors who would help me sell - maybe we could have several tables. PLEASE let me know...

My old boss is friends with Linda. I should have her beg her to take the show over again!
Maybe the S.Cal or San Diego artists should take it over???

My hubby liked that too much.

I've been attending the Shows here in SanDiego for 20 years or so. Madison has now attended it once each year (she's 2) I come prepared for her to want to touch, I bring her non-messy snack and things to keep her busy. I also bring her teddy bear and if I find something I think she can handle, I buy it for her. One time it was a $20 primitive horse, very simple very durable. I do NOT let her out of her stroller or on me somehow. I think we need kids to be able to attend shows to learn what makes these bears special and teach them that there is a difference between bears at ToysRUs and at a Bear show. Parents need to be responsible and realistic when bringing kids to shows. For my child, she loved checking out the mohair display and once she had a bear in her arms she was happy to show it to the vendors. Would a play area be good for her? No, she'd want to be there and I wouldn't be able to shop. If the venue sold less expensive bears, cheapy toys or gave stickers (eh??) when you paid to enter, I might be all over that.

Pictures: 1st with Judi and her bear at the show, 2nd with Grandma's newest bear at home. :)

Dude - I was so excited to buy a bunny. But they are all gone. I will wait and see when he is done with the next one  if I can buy it before all of you!

My mom sells antiques and uses coffee grounds and kitty litter to get the musty smell out of furniture and old coats... She puts the litter in old pantyhose and layers it in/on the coats and puts it in the drawers of the furniture...

What a fun experiment!

I was going to post HOW CUTE he was. He's got the enduring quality like he needs love. One of my first bears has that look to him, I gave him to my Mom and he sits on her antique sewing machine and just fits in. (Mine need his eyes re-sunk in - I didn't do a very good job back then!)
Keep it up. I like the material you used!

Madison saw your trio and quickly told me about the el-phant, and the wion. Purple! Rarrr!

Too cute. I love them!

Jane (doodlebears) _ I also have been on Thyroid for 15 years, I think what Sue Ann was saying is that he takes the extra calcium (not the D persay) because of the thyroid. Hopefully your Daughter's Docs have told her not to take her Thyroid meds with dairy or calcium pills, because the thyroid binds with the calcium and neither is absorbed that way... When I started my pills years and years ago, that wasn't a warning on the pills, but now it is...

Its interesting that when we are given Health tips one year, we find out the next year that there was an adverse effect... LOL

So cute! Love the pics.. My daughter hated the cold... I should have bundled her up more!
My Colic cure was a staticy station on the car radio. And the swing and wearing her in a sling...

Keep the pics coming!

Thanks ladies - keep those votes going! Tell al your friends! Post it on all the boards!! LOL

But in reality all those kids are cute! This photographer has a way with the eyes..

Best 2007 - Daily getting time to spend time with my child and husband. I stay at home to play with maddy and my hubby works from home, so I see more of him than before.

Worse 2007 - I have 2 Uncles struggling with cancer, both who have worsened this Fall and 1 whom is in the hospital waiting to see if he will survive from surgery. What an emotional rollercoaster we've had this year. Mostly during Dec.

Hey to my old friends! The bears sure look great! I'm so itchin' to sew...

To the newer members (like 2 years new! LOL) I am an older member - took a tad bit of time off with my daughter.
Anyways... My Christmas present was to get pics of the family.
The photographer is now doing a contest for cutest kid from the year. Madison is such a character and not a bad looker either.
Will you vote for her? (I'm sure you may think someone else may be cuter, but ignore that child...) Hey! be loyal to a TTer!  :crackup:

Go here http://amandaprince.com
Click Blog and follow directions to Vote. Madison Grace is #5. She's b/w with the panda sweater..
If you scroll down further you'll se more pics of Madison and the family!

Thank you thank you!! :hug:

Such a good job! Everyone looked to be having a great time!!

So my decorations are kinda spread out this year (went form a tiny apartment to a large house, so I have only a few decorations)
Also this tree is almost ornament free - with 3 cats and a toddler i didn't pull out any ornaments!

In the pic - I asked Maddy to smile -and that's what I got!

SOO Pretty - makes me scoot closer to the fire! But such a sight  - Kinda sad that I was so hot during the day today here in Cal. Hard to believe its Christmas!

PM's ya right back!

Isn't my ornament CUTE! So glad he was in my mailbox - I was getting worried that my postal worker knew what it wa sand kept it!! LOL
Waiting to see how long it takes until Maddy realizes its a bell too and then she'll drag it around the house!

I got my bear ornament! He came with a cute beary box and placemat. So sweet! Thank you Debbie (djbbears)! I like him alot and he is hanging out on my mantle - my tree is ornament free because of my toddler!

Yeah - I'll admit I had to look!

Connie~ YAY glad he made it to you before Christmas - was starting to wonder what was up with the post office! HA
Hope you like him.. I used an older pattern of mine, and it was a struggle after a few years not making bears.

Can't wait to get mine!!

YAY! My little dude is no his way.... I hope my partner likes it... geez, some of these are soooo great! I can't wait to see what ends up in my mailbox!  :dance: WHEW... This ornament gave me a run for my money. Hard to finish with a toddler running off with my ribbon spools!