What to Put in a Baby Book

Pregnancy and Birth

• Don't be afraid to start a baby book before your child is even born. Record special dates, like the day you found out you were pregnant or the day you received your first sonogram. Add belly photos or ultrasound pictures. Record the baby' first kick or the first time she responded to voices or sounds. Take pictures of the progress of the baby's room as it comes together. Include a baby shower invitation and pictures from the shower. Write down who attended and the presents they gave. The day that the baby is born may be a hectic time. Assign someone (not the husband, he'll be busy) to jot down the details of the day. What you were doing when you went into labor, when you went to the hospital. Record any other special events that happened that day. Save a special section in their baby book for the baby's first days of life. Include many pictures, foot and hand prints, and who came to visit them.

First Few Months

• While babies may not accomplish many notable milestones during their first few months of life, don't be afraid to write down anything and everything. Their first smile, first time sleeping through the night, or the first time they peed on dad is something you will want to remember. Keep a record of their growth charts to look back on later. Take tons of pictures and include them in the book.

Next Few Months

• It'll happen all at once, one day you'll wake up and your child will be accomplishing one major milestone after another. She'll roll over, sit, crawl and eat faster than you can imagine. Soon they'll be standing, cruising and walking. Try to record specific dates and take pictures of everything. Be on the lookout for first words and write them down as well. When their first birthday rolls around, treat it like the day they were born and record all the details. Take tons of pictures and don't be afraid to dedicate tons of pages in your baby book to your child's first birthday party.

Toddler Years and Older

• Many baby books are designed for a child's first year of life. But you don't have to stop after their first birthday. If you're feeling especially motivated, start a new book. Having a new book for each year of their childhood will give you tons to look back on and ensure that there is photo and written documentation of the many things that they'll do to make you proud. Keep in mind that by this age, children are probably doing something new and impressing every single day. Some things will make you proud, like feeding themselves or saying a bunch of new words. Some things will make you crazy, like climbing up onto the table or taking off all their clothes in the middle of a department store. Write down everything, it'll be fun to look back on it and laugh when they're older. Save a lock of hair from their first hair cut and their first tooth (write a letter to the tooth fairy, she'll leave it behind for you).

Notes to Your Child

• Write a note to your child during every month of her life. Talk about her accomplishments and other things that happened in the world during that month. Keep these notes, either in their baby book or in another safe spot to share with her when she gets older.