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Commemorate Your Baby's Birth and
Milestones
by Cindy Schrauben
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
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.
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.
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
Show the world how special your new arrival is. Order customized birth
announcements featuring a photo of your baby.
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.
Acquire a set of coins produced during birth year. These can be
purchased from the U.S. Mint.
Buy a bottle of wine from the year of baby's birth.
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.
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.
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.
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 note cards.
www.aGlimpseofTime.com
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