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Commemorate Your Baby's Birth and Milestones |
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 We all want to leave a legacy for our children - to give them a
feeling of belonging. The process begins as soon as you know that
the new addition is on the way maybe before! Follow these simple
tips to create timeless memories for your family.
BEFORE BIRTH
1.Keep a journal of your thoughts from the thrill of pregnancy
(record the thoughts and comments of both parents) through your
child's early years. Okay, so this is not a new idea there is,
however, a way to make this process easier, and therefore, more
likely to happen: Keep a separate calendar handy with large spaces
(maybe a whole page) for each day. When something interesting
happens a cute saying, "first" milestone, etc., just jot it down
under the correct date. You can always transfer it to a baby book or
fancy journal later, but at least you have it recorded.
2. Create an online website to share photos with far-away family and
friends. Create the website before baby is born include pregnancy
photos and a personal message then it will be ready to go during the
busy first days of your child's life you can simply begin to add
new photos and comments. If you have a digital camera, the process
is extremely easy upload photos to your computer and send them to
the website via the internet. Sites can be password-protected for
privacy. Send a personal message along with the password to anyone
you want to share your memories with. Search the net for:
personalized baby websites.
3. Create a video or DVD for baby featuring family and friends.
Record well-wishers comments as they visit the new arrival. You can
even include showers and a personal message from Mom, Dad and
siblings before and after birth.
AFTER BIRTH
4. Show the world how special your new arrival is. Order a
customized birth announcements featuring a photo of your baby.
5. Save a copy of several publications from baby's birthday: local
and national newspapers, magazines, advertisements, etc. What fun it
will be to look back years later on trends, prices and headlines of
the day.
6. Acquire a set of coins produced during birth year. These can be
purchased from the U.S. Mint.
7. Buy a bottle of wine from the year of baby's birth.
8. Create a shadow box - use cards or wrapping paper for the
background and include items such as baby's first outfit, hospital
bracelet, booties, photos, birth announcement, etc.
9. Start a photo tradition: take a photo of your child each month for
the first year, then every six month thereafter. Take the photo in
the same location and include a prop such as a favorite toy, hat,
sunglasses, etc. It will be fun to watch your child grow and change
in relation to the setting and props.
10.Buy a "talking frame". Many models hold over 20 photos and let you
record a message with each shot. Take photos of the baby with
visitors and family and ask them to record a personal "welcome"
message. As your child grows this is a great tool for learning to
recognize family and friends who don't live nearby.
11.Start a Christmas tradition buy an ornament each year - if it
doesn't include a date, add one to the bottom with permanent marker.
Take a photo of your child with the new ornament. As your child
ages, you can let him/her pick out the ornament. When your child is
ready to leave home (it will be here sooner than you think), he/she
will have a tree full or ornaments.
About the Author:
Cindy Schrauben is the author of "Commemorate Your Baby's Birth and
Milestones". She is the owner and exclusive designer at A Glimpse
of Time: custom photo cards and art. Visit her site to see a full
line of customized photo birth and graduation announcements,
invitations, thank you and holiday cards as well as inspirational
notecards. www.aGlimpseofTime.com
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