Hello LFM Readers!
I've been feeling a bit sentimental lately, and am contemplating putting together some sort of project for my daughter. You know those cards you can buy at Cracker Barrell with the year you were born on it, and all of the interesting things that happened during that time? I was thinking of something like that; (a scrapbook-type thing maybe?) to be done after she's born obviously, with maybe the top song on the billboard list, what fashion trends are popular, what's going on in the news, who the president is, the top movie of the week and/or year, what new technology has just come out, etc, etc.
I've heard of some people keeping journals or diaries during their pregnancy. This not only helps Mom remember for the next time around, but also gives the child a sense of all the things Mom was going through and feeling for 40 weeks. We just got a new book in to review the other day at Lexington FAMILY Magazine, called "Love Letters Before Birth and Beyond" by Mary Knight--a great idea. My publisher's sister has actually kept a diary for her son for 28 years (and counting)--WOW!
I've also heard of parents putting together Keepsake Boxes, with items like the daily newspaper from the day the child was born, as well as all of the cards and well-wishes from the shower.
One idea that my own Mom has already started me on is for Christmastime. Instead of doing an advent calendar, we'll have 25 Christmas books. We'll keep them boxed away, and wrap them up every year under the tree. Each night our daughter can open one and that will be our bedtime story! This way we'll be counting down the days, as well as relieving some of the stress and anxiety of having to "wait until Santa comes" to unwrap a gift.
Do you have any other ideas? Was there something special you did for your own child like this? I'd love to know, drop me a line or two!
Until next time, relish the sentiments!
Karyn Potts
PS: Next week I go for my Glucose Test; I've heard the orange flavor is the way to go, but my doctor thinks the Sprite-flavored one is better. Any suggestions?
*To comment, just click the button below*
4 comments:
I think starting traditions and writing down your thoughts and feelings for your child is a great idea. My suggestion would be to just think of all the things you wish you knew about your family, the world, etc, during the year you were born and those early years you can't remember. Then incorporate these ideas for the baby.
One neat idea I've heard of is to take a picture of your child each year or month wearing the same type clothes in front of a blank wall. Then you can watch your child grow throughout the years.
Also, don't forget to mark your child's height on a wall and keep adding to it each year so you can watch you kids grow that way as well.
Whatever you decide, it will be your traditions and your decisions and your child will cherish them.
All great ideas. Another idea, make sure to pick up a souvenir from every place your child visits. For example, you could buy a iron on patch from all the national parks you visit and then iron them on to a backpack so your child has a reminder of all the fun places he or she has been.
I saw a scrapbook layout the other day with 3 pictures the mom had taken of her son in one of those bucket swings at the park. The first photo, the baby was just big enough to sit up in the swing. The next, he was a bit taller, probably starting to walk, and the 3rd he was just about to grow out of that bucket swing. It was so cute to see how he grew in relation to the swing.
My mom used to take photos of all the grandkids under the crab apple tree in their front yard when it was in bloom every year.
I have a keepsake box for quin - it has clippings from the day's paper ( all the positives). His hospital outfit and all of that. I also have all of his receiving blankets, favorite outfits from his first year and any tshirts from places we went of family bought him - I'm working on a patchwork quilt for him - i'm going to add to it every year ( like something from his birthday outfit and special events and holidays) - and plan on giving it to him when he's all grown up!
Post a Comment