When you are a new mom, there are so many emotions you go through, not to mention all the new things to remember. You definitely don’t want to miss any milestones, and there seems to be a new one every time you turn around in the first year! So I have put together some of my favorite ideas to help you celebrate your baby and his/her accomplishments.
Monthly pictures. This is one of the most popular ways to document your baby’s growth. I love the personalized onesies I have seen, and there are a lot of other fun ideas to photograph your baby. Personally, I love the pictures of babies propped against a large stuffed animal to see how big they get in comparison each month. I did this with Lauren, and I still look at those pictures in wonder.
A sweet love note. I love the idea of writing a little note each month that your little one can open when they are older. The opportunity to read their accomplishments and changes through the eyes of his/her mommy would be a very special gift.
Take a handprint. This is not just for the Christmas tree anymore! Take your baby’s handprint each month and put them side-by-side either on individual canvases or on one sheet next to each other. Once the year is over, frame it in a shadow box with other baby keepsakes for a beautiful, sentimental piece to hang on the wall.
Canvas art prints by Becky Higgins
Line them up! Save your baby’s booties and shoes as she grows and frame them with the months noted. So sweet!
Shoe growth chart as seen on Real Simple
So if you are a mom-to-be, new mom or even a mom expecting another child, it’s time to celebrate our babies’ milestones! How will you make your baby’s mark?
Comments
Ken
That shoes thing is a lovely idea, but I do know most people give out their baby’s shoes when they outgrow it!
Trish
I’m pregnant with my first, and I LOVE these ideas. I’m usually pretty horrible at memory keeping, but all of these seems really simple and something I can definitely keep up with :)
Kerry @ First Time Fancy
There really so many great ways to document baby. I have been taking our little girls monthly photos in her nusery next to the elephant ottoman that she has. My husband and i also have a notebook we write to her inas well as a baby’s first year calendar that my mother-in-law gave me to fill in firsts and special days etc. We also take a monthly foot print on a large canvas that hangs over her crib. Yup…. I’m that mom ;)
Rebecca
Ugh…I am sooooo behind on documenting my kiddos!! I need to start STAT!! Love all of these ideas!!! thanks Rebecca!
Rebekah
Trish,
Yes! I wanted to make a list of ideas that could be easy for a very tired mommy! Enjoy that first year. It sure does fly!
Alison Fennell
How adorable are the canvas hand art prints and the sight of all those little shoes is a brilliant idea. When we grow up we have forgotten about what we wore and how small we were:)
Frauline Melfi
I have a scrapbook for each kid, and other than pictures, I have also included their hospital bracelet, their mittens, hair from their first haircut, etc.
Zen
Frauline: I also have scrapbooks, but all that’s in there are photos and love letters for my kids. After reading your comment, I couldn’t help feel that I should have included whatever mementos or stuff that are just as significant as the photos.
Tasha Cune
I made a growth chart out of my kid’s door. I mark the height with permanent marker and indicate the date and age when the measurement was taken, as well as include a line or two describing a particular milestone, or an anecdote.
Recreate
@Tasha Cune: I would like to see a picture of that door!