apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

what a neat idea!

oh how I wish I had thought of this -- it's brilliant

I have 3 baby books (for 2 children), and all of them are mostly empty... the categories never worked

...the guilt!

I have a baby book for each of my almost-year-old twins, but my method is to write letters to the boys in a journal, then I can transfer the relevant information and/or photos or keepsakes to the baby books when I have time...when will that be? :) It has relieved the lying-awake-at-night guilt. Plus, it would be so cool to have insight into what my mom was thinking when I was young...

I could so manage that! Great.

I didn't have the time or inclination for a proper baby book either... but I knew I'd feel guilty (someday) if I did nothing. I use a calendar to jot down my notes and thoughts about my son's development on significant days ("December 15 - Oliver sat up for the first time today!"). I try to make sure to record his weight and height at doctor's visits, as well as notes about colds and illnesses. It's not only a great record of his development, but of his health history as well.

smart idea.

You are all making me feel like I have way too much time on my hands!

I have a baby book with calendars marked with dates, tags from the delivery room, letters for each month, a million and 9 pictures, all of his sheets from his doctor's visits with his height and weight...

Lord, I am lame!

I have a daily planner that I got from a stationery store; my one criteria was that it be pretty enough to leave on our coffee table. We have childcare at home during the day while we're at work, and our nanny writes the day's events in it -- what the baby ate, where she and the baby went, if there is a new friend with whom they had a playdate, etc. I add appointments and events so she knows the schedule: e.g., "appt. w/Dr. X, 11:30, bring full bottle; working from home Friday."

I add to it with commentary a few times a week, "bumped head on couch and was fussy this afternoon, learned to grab nose on command, loves peaches, favorite book is Big Red Barn." It's not fancy, but it's much more detail than I would otherwise have, and it also keeps the house somewhat functional.

I keep a couple of blogs (one public, one private) and a flickr account, and that's what I consider my baby books. With triplets and working full-time, there just isn't any other option.

I received two baby books as gifts and neither is filled out at all. Right now I'm doing a baby box. I have a file box I bought from Container Store with a bunch of colorful file folders inside. While it doesn't have a lot of dates filled out I have tons of souveniers in it so far: Christmas card photos, update sheets from doctor's office, hospital bracelet, cards, handprints, etc. Anytime he gets anything I put it in the memory box.

I use Nikki McClure's beautiful THE FIRST 1000 DAYS to journal our son's changes. On the evening of his birth each month, I haul out the typewriter (as a 16 month old, he's now trying to help push the keys!) and type up a list of likes/dislikes/significance; a wonderful way to reflect on growth and change.

http://www.buyolympia.com/q/Item=first1000days

I'm on my way to buy pretty journal, just found out i was pregnant, n while i dont have the patience to log a baby book, I'll write a little something to the baby every now n then.

I created an email address for my kid on gmail that way my hubby and I can send him "love letters" and/or updates on his growth, including pictures. Since I'm often on my computer I can start composing an email and save as a draft and come back to it later or just send a quick note so I won't forget the funny things he does.

i keep journals for my kids and write whatever i want to--funny stories, quotes, what they're doing, letters for them to read when they're older.
thanks for sharing all these great ideas.

Simply brilliant. Thank you.