Hope you are all having a good day today!
DH deploys at the end of January and will be gone for about 8 months. I know it is a far stretch to hope baby remembers him (since she is still so little) but I am looking for any ideas to help remember him while he is away. I already planned to take videos of him reading books. But any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
Anyone try out the hero daddy dolls? TIA!
Re: Ideas to help baby remember deployed daddy?
Well I love the video idea. Makes me tear up just at the thought of it. So sweet.
They have baby photo albums, they are soft and plastic and safe for babies. I actually just saw it on my lunch break at BabiesRUs. You could get that and put a bunch of pics of him, or him and baby in there.
Raeleigh Elizabeth http://theturnerpage.blogspot.com/
Hallmark has these recordable books out right now that are pretty cool. She won't be able to see him, but hearing his voice could help a lot. At least then when she does get to seem again, it will be a very familiar sound.
This would also be a great question to ask the Military Families board if you haven't done so already.
Thoughts and prayers headed your way, I can't imagine being a single mom while he's away.
BFP #1 11/28/09 ~ EDD 8/6/10 ~ DS Born 8/9/10
BFP #2 8/27/13 ~ EDD 5/8/14 ~ Natural MC 9/18/13 at 6 weeks, 6 days
BFP#3 3/28/14 ~ EDD 12/7/14 ~ DD Born 11/21/14
BFP#4 6/15/17 ~ EDD 2/20/18
Danica 10.22.10 | Milo 12.23.12
Skype/facetime is great but we can only do that when he is in port which won't be very often at all.
This x 100
PPs all have great ideas. Another idea is to give her something that smells like him. Whether it's something that's his or lovey, toy etc then give it to LO once he leaves. Just an idea.
daddydolls.com
I bought daddy dolls for my stepkids, and a daddy lovey-blanket for DD. I hold it in front of her face and she "talks" to it
She has never met DH, but I still want to show her pictures/videos of him.
The USO has an awesome program that lets parents record a video of them reading a book, and then they send the families the dvd with the book that the parent read. DH recorded tons of them for all 3 kids. If the area your DH ends up in doesn't have that, maybe you can send him some books and DIY? I love those videos!
I also had him record a message to DD on my phone...
I played it for her in her first few minutes after being born, she was so alert that she just stared at the phone lol. I was bawling, of course, and still cry anytime I decide to play the recording. Heck, I am crying just thinking about it lol.
I will be thinking of you in these next 8 months!
You just made me tear up!
Thank you all for your ideas and nice comments. I really appreciate it!
DH deployed a few weeks after DS was born and will return sometime around his first birthday. I found these recordable story books and had him read some of them. I now play the book for him every night before bed. (And actually the only way he will do tummy time is when the book is playing in front of him.) We aren't able to use Skype where he is, but if you are able to that is a great way for daddy to see baby!
DH bought a cell phone there and he tries to call about once a week. I hold the phone up to DS's ear so that he can talk to him and hear his voice. I also show DS pictures of his daddy alot and I'm not sure that he actually understands who he is but it's worth a shot. We got a daddy doll from our FRG and DS cuddles with it while he's laying on my bed.
Also make sure that you send your husband lots of videos and pictures of your baby so that he can feel as included in your childs life as possible. Facebook has been a lifesaver for us! Good luck!