5 Creative Ways to Document Baby’s First Year
Let’s be honest, the days of the old school baby book are gone. No one has time for little stickers that say “baby’s first tooth” or “baby’s first food”. But, of course, we still want to capture all the fun and important milestones of baby’s first year. Here are some cute and creative ways to document all the excitement for you and your kids to look back on.
Memory Jar
We started a memory jar last year, and to be honest, we weren’t so successful the first time around. I put a large mason jar out on a book shelf, and every time something happy or exciting happened (related to the baby or otherwise), I’d scribble it down on a piece of paper, put the date on it, and put it in the jar. My husband thought I was crazy, until New Year’s Day rolled around and we sat on the couch with a bottle of wine and read through all the notes. It was so much fun (and so emotional) that he was officially on board to contribute this year. We put all of the notes from 2016 in a Ziplock bag, labeled it, and put it away for safe keeping. I’m sure somewhere down the line, Weston will want to read through all the good things that happened the year he was born. I’m happy to say that we’ve done a much better job this year and our jar is packed full of happy memories.
Baby’s First Email Account
When Weston was first born, I created an email account for him and started sending little emails here and there. The idea is that my husband and I will send random emails over the years, then give him access to the account when he turns 18 (or whenever he really makes me mad and I want to guilt him into being a good son).
#WestonWallace
It’s 2017 and social media is a part of life. I’m someone who can’t help but share pictures of my cute little nugget. For us, it’s a great way for family and friends who don’t get to see him that often to still have the chance to watch him grow. Anytime I post a picture of him, I use the hashtag #WestonWallace. If you click on the hashtag, it’s basically an online photo album of baby’s first year. Since actually printing pictures is almost archaic these days, I’m taking advantage of technology.
Groovebook
Speaking of not printing photos… Groovebook is a great app that makes printing photos from your phone super easy. We’re all guilty of having tons of pictures on our phone or saved to our computers, but never actually doing anything with them. Groovebook lets you print up to 100 pictures a month for only $2.99. They are 4×6 photos and come on perforated photo paper so you can rip them right out of the book and put them in a picture frame. Get your first book for free using the code MULLINS4299.
First Birthday Letters
This idea is similar to the email account, but it involves all of your friends and family. On baby’s first birthday, ask friends and relatives to write your baby a little note. Then hold on to them until a special year (13, 16, 18… whatever you see fit), and give them as a gift on their birthday. So much can change over the years. I think it would be a beautiful gift to be able to look back at what loved ones had to say.
I hope these ideas inspired you in some way! What are your favorite ways of documenting baby’s first year? Comment below and share with other mamas.
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