I’m thinking about baby books, but (for obvious reasons) most of the books I am finding are geared toward couples. I’d like to do something that is more appropriate for my situation, so I am thinking about doing a scrapbook from scratch. (For newer members- I am a single mother by choice- but I think this is also relevant for anyone with non-traditional family choices, or who just want to do something completely custom.)
My question - What pages/elements did you find most helpful, fun, informative, etc to include in your baby books? (Whether for coming baby, past babies, or looking at your own book.
@knottieamusements I was the worst FTM ever... I received two blank baby books as gifts, and DS is 2 now and I haven’t done a single thing with either of them. My mom kept trying to get me to fill things out at the beginning, but I never remembered at the time when milestones or things happened, and then I felt like it would be making it up if I tried to remember after the fact. Part of me kind of wishes I had taken the time to do it for the memories, but that ship has sailed. I was more about taking tons of pictures with DS, so now I can go back and look through them all to see his progression/development over the first few months/years.
I also have not touched the baby books I received and bought. But I did do a scrapbook through shutterfly. You can create any type of book and add what works for you. Since I took a million pictures, I did pages by the month and then if something big happened I included that on a separate page. The book is pretty big, I think it's 50 pages or so, but I had a lot of fun doing it and I did not stress about it either. It's such a great memory.
The other thing I did was buy a shadow box to put the baby items I wanted to keep and then hang it on the wall. I put my DD hospital bracelet, announcement card, first hat and booties, etc.
I had a calendar for DS (my first) that I kept up for maybe 6 months? Before I lost out and got lazy with it. But I did like that idea better than a book just because I'm not a scrapbook-y kind of person. I got boxes for each of them that I keep sentimental things in, like first hair clipping, foot print and such.
@knottieamusements baby book?! What’s that?! LOL. I’m horrible but at least it’s equal! I didn’t do one for either kid. I do want to make an ornament of their hospital bracelets and their hats. E actually ended up with two! She had a Christmas one and a regular one with a bow.
@knottieamusements my best friend made me a book for DD that was basically just a calendar for each month from the month she was born up until her 3rd birthday. In each box for each day I would write something that happened/something she did that day. Sometimes they were silly things and sometimes they were milestones but it was more precious and personal to me than any other baby book.
TTC History
Me: 35 DH: 34 Married 07/2012 DD born 07/2014 DD2 born 10/2018 DS born 10/2022
IF history: TTC #2 since January 2016 June-Aug 2017: 3 IUIs w/Clomid = BFN Sept 2017: Dx w/Endometriosis Oct 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN Nov 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN Dec 2017: pre-IVF testing Jan-Feb 2018: IVF--17 eggs retrieved, 13 fertilized, 9 frozen and 1 transferred on 2/10 = BFP on 2/19!!! EDD 10/29/2018 FET Oct 2021: BFP on 10/31! MC at 5 weeks FET Feb 2022: BFP on 2/15! EDD 10/29/22
I never kept up with a baby book. My mom starting collecting items and pics last year so she said she's going to create something. Someone gave me the idea of writing LO a letter in a journal on their birthday every year and give it to them as a gift for their 18 birthday. I'm going to try it and see if I can keep up with it since it's only a once a year thing. My former coworker started a gmail account for each of her kids and she would send pics and emails about special occasions. Her plan is to give them access to the account when they turn 16 so could see all the pics and emails.
I never even attempted a baby book. I had grand intentions of setting up an email for DS. I’d periodically send pictures/updates. Today you got your first tooth. Took your first steps. Shit in the bathtub. Important stuff. Funny stuff. Whatever. I’d give him the password at some point so he could look through it all. But never got around to it.
My mom has a baby book for me and my brother. I think she has hair samples from when we were really young, and it's kinda cool to see how much my hair has changed over my life. I'm one of the weirdos whose hair got way lighter as they got older. (Dark dark brown to light light brown). I know she definitely kept my hair from when I gave myself a haircut with my "bow wow boutique" scissors. I personally am old fashioned and like physical printouts of photos, so perhaps I'll be motivated to do a baby book.
My mom scrapbooked mine and my brothers lives up until a couple years ago, she has all the pictures to catch up just needs the time. I'm planning on doing the same (: there are sooo many scrapbook things though it's definitely easier to do it online now a days
I love to scrapbook and while I'll definitely fill out a premade baby book, I'm really looking forward to making a homemade scrapbook of "baby's first year." I'll look for different paper backgrounds at craft stores and there are tons of baby decals and stickers out there as well. Plus as she gets older, I can make other books, like a "first day of school" scrapbook where each page is the first day of a new grade, and things like that.
Me: 33 DH: 31 Location: Castle Rock, CO DD: 10.13.18 baby #2 due: 7.14.20
I got one for my pregnancy (pic in spoiler below) because I like to plan and journal. I haven't been the best at it. Maybe when there's more exciting things to note other than "I puked" "I cried about...".
I love the email idea, since I think it's fairly easy. I've also considered setting up a privaye fb or IG account to post pics to. And give him access when he's older.
Totally not pregnancy related, but does anyone have any comfortable flats that they’d recommend that don’t smell horrible after wearing them all day???
I am apparently tired to the point of hallucinating. For some reason, when I first looked at the journal picture, I thought it was rotating, and I was like “that’s a cool new Amazon feature.”
It is 5:50pm and bedtime. Unfortunately, I am waiting for Blast’s crib to be delivered before I can crash.
Totally not pregnancy related, but does anyone have any comfortable flats that they’d recommend that don’t smell horrible after wearing them all day???
They are not cheap, but Rothy's are the only ones I've met that I can deal with. I think the rounded toes are $129 and the pointy toes are $149. I got a pair for Christmas last year and got a neutral black/white herringbone that I can wear with everything. I've already asked for a pointy toe pair in a fun colour for my birthday.
I am NOT a shoe person at all and am never comfortable in anything but gym shoes (sneakers/runners for those not from Chicago, lol). But the Rothy's flats are kind of magical. They are made from recycled water bottles (but they don't feel like plastic jellies or anything like that). My feet do get a bit sweaty in them after a few hours, but they don't smell, and they are reasonably comfortable, even when I'm on my feet for several hours straight. My first big test for them was a day when I walked to the train, took the train into the city, walked to husband's office, walked to a beer fest, stood in line for 45 mins, and then walked around the beer fest (on concrete floors) for a few hours. My feet didn't start feeling achy until we were heading home, and even then, it was just my high arches whining from lack of support. They have never even started to maybe cause a blister. I haven't washed mine yet, but they are machine washable, and the person who recommended them to me swears that she has washed hers 10 times, and they still look the same.
If anyone is interested, let me know, I think there's a referral code/coupon thing I can send.
I've also heard that Tieks are good, but can't give a personal glowing endorsement, since I have never tried them.
@melbo444 ugh I actually have a pair of Rothy’s, and while they are comfy and I love the story behind them, my feet and the shoes completely stink after a day of me wearing them! Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t stand it.
@pumpkinpancake they’re not quite flats, but the allbirds loungers are ridiculously comfortable and might be dressy enough, depends on what you do. If I don’t wear socks with them, I just hand wash the insoles every week or two, depending on how hot it is. So comfy, though!
@halfanewt I've honestly never washed any part of my shoes and didn't know people actually did that so I had to re-read your post to make sure I saw it right lol
I love “my baby book” by Amy krouse rosenthal. It is super light hearted and puts some humor in doing the whole baby book thing. There is a “note to parent” and the front that reads...
”for the sake of brevity and simplicity, this book uses the “Mom and dad” paradigm, but we hope the many single parent families, two-Mom families, and two-dad families will enjoy this book just the same (and make the text adjustments accordingly)”
Best casual slip on shoes that have some give for when my feet swell as I keep hearing about swollen feet? tennis shoes, not sandals. I would also prefer a back on them as I throw shoes I am getting to the point where I only where tie shoes when I will be wearing them all day. Not for quick store trips as it is hard to bend over and tie them...and laziness.
Ladies I need your help! We are moving July 15th to a brand new house that we have been building for the last 1.5 years. I want to have my baby shower be coed BBQ shower / housewarming party to kill two birds with one stone. It would be open door informal BBQ. My question is it weird for my husband and I to "host"?? We would throw the party and provide the lunch/ drinks. I'm sure some of my friends will pitch in and bring salads/ apps etc but can we really expect one person to host a party that might have 50-75 people come to?
Me 33 DH 41 TTC since 2016 Due: October 12, 2018 Location: Ontario, Canada
I LOVE potluck parties! That would be your best bet, if friends and family ask "can I bring something" because they always ask, say "If you'd like your favorite side dish" we also make our get togethers byob so I don't supply a drinks for everyone else. But I don't think it's crazy to host your own shower since it's going to be at your house, and your supplying stuff anyways(:
@sliztee I love to try what ever one else enjoys making/bringing and then they take it home with them after! Minimal dishes and left overs(: my mom has a girls night with her friends once a month and we all do potluck and switch up whose house it's at and it's so fun to not worry about going to a restaurant and paying for dinner and having time pressure. Potlucks are life!
OK thanks Ladies! I wasn't sure if it was tacky to host your own shower! I know a lot of my friends and mother in law will help so it won't just be us. We just thought it was way easier than trying to squeeze in two parties, as I know a lot of friends want to see the house too.
Me 33 DH 41 TTC since 2016 Due: October 12, 2018 Location: Ontario, Canada
Honestly, while the etiquette rule is that you aren’t supposed to host your own baby (or bridal) shower, I think most people realize often ignored or used as a front for mother (or bride) to throw herself a party.
I think that how you put it together and announce it will do far more for people than whether you are hosting it yourself. “We built baby a house! Come celebrate with us!” As opposed to “Join us for a joint baby shower/house warming”. The first is a party invitation, and people will bring gifts because they want to celebrate with you, the second sounds gift grabby (do I bring a baby gift, a house warming gift, or both?).
And yes- for 50+ people- find a way to distribute the food responsibilities.
Pot luck and co ed is the way to go. We had a bbq at our place with a Smores bar, wine, beer and pot luck style for our baby shower a few years back. My best friend and sister in law technically hosted, we were just the only ones with a big enough place to accommodate the party. It was very fun: men, women, and children were all welcome and it was very laid back. We had a decorate a cup cake challenge and there were many vaginal cupcakes giving birth as a result which was fantastic. I also enjoyed the decorate a onesie challenge.
@jweber4747 that sounds exactly what I want! Love the s'mores idea! We just want a fun party that gives an opportunity to see everyone before the baby comes.
Me 33 DH 41 TTC since 2016 Due: October 12, 2018 Location: Ontario, Canada
@chyvie that sounds awesome! If you are rly worried about hosting yourself maybe just have your mom or sister or someone 'technically' host and send invitations, it would just be at your house!!
Re: Questions 4/27
My question - What pages/elements did you find most helpful, fun, informative, etc to include in your baby books? (Whether for coming baby, past babies, or looking at your own book.
The other thing I did was buy a shadow box to put the baby items I wanted to keep and then hang it on the wall. I put my DD hospital bracelet, announcement card, first hat and booties, etc.
DD 3/15/12
DD 6/3/14
#4 Due 10/26/18!
Married 07/2012
DD born 07/2014
DD2 born 10/2018
DS born 10/2022
IF history:
TTC #2 since January 2016
June-Aug 2017: 3 IUIs w/Clomid = BFN
Sept 2017: Dx w/Endometriosis
Oct 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Nov 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Dec 2017: pre-IVF testing
Jan-Feb 2018: IVF--17 eggs retrieved, 13 fertilized, 9 frozen and 1 transferred on 2/10 = BFP on 2/19!!! EDD 10/29/2018
FET Oct 2021: BFP on 10/31! MC at 5 weeks
FET Feb 2022: BFP on 2/15! EDD 10/29/22
Edit because grammar is hard
Me: 33 DH: 31
Location: Castle Rock, CO
DD: 10.13.18
baby #2 due: 7.14.20
I love the email idea, since I think it's fairly easy. I've also considered setting up a privaye fb or IG account to post pics to. And give him access when he's older.
It is 5:50pm and bedtime. Unfortunately, I am waiting for Blast’s crib to be delivered before I can crash.
I am NOT a shoe person at all and am never comfortable in anything but gym shoes (sneakers/runners for those not from Chicago, lol). But the Rothy's flats are kind of magical. They are made from recycled water bottles (but they don't feel like plastic jellies or anything like that). My feet do get a bit sweaty in them after a few hours, but they don't smell, and they are reasonably comfortable, even when I'm on my feet for several hours straight. My first big test for them was a day when I walked to the train, took the train into the city, walked to husband's office, walked to a beer fest, stood in line for 45 mins, and then walked around the beer fest (on concrete floors) for a few hours. My feet didn't start feeling achy until we were heading home, and even then, it was just my high arches whining from lack of support. They have never even started to maybe cause a blister. I haven't washed mine yet, but they are machine washable, and the person who recommended them to me swears that she has washed hers 10 times, and they still look the same.
If anyone is interested, let me know, I think there's a referral code/coupon thing I can send.
I've also heard that Tieks are good, but can't give a personal glowing endorsement, since I have never tried them.
”for the sake of brevity and simplicity, this book uses the “Mom and dad” paradigm, but we hope the many single parent families, two-Mom families, and two-dad families will enjoy this book just the same (and make the text adjustments accordingly)”
I thought that was kind of cool @knottieamusements
eta this may sound weird but I also like the way it feels on my feet
TTC since 2016
Due: October 12, 2018
Location: Ontario, Canada
TTC since 2016
Due: October 12, 2018
Location: Ontario, Canada
I think that how you put it together and announce it will do far more for people than whether you are hosting it yourself. “We built baby a house! Come celebrate with us!” As opposed to “Join us for a joint baby shower/house warming”. The first is a party invitation, and people will bring gifts because they want to celebrate with you, the second sounds gift grabby (do I bring a baby gift, a house warming gift, or both?).
And yes- for 50+ people- find a way to distribute the food responsibilities.
TTC since 2016
Due: October 12, 2018
Location: Ontario, Canada