When I was pregnant with my first daughter I knew I wanted to keep track of my pregnancy with a journal. I felt this would be something I would love to read in the future, maybe once I’m old and chilling in a rocking chair in front of the beach. 🙂 I also thought that my daughter would appreciate, many years from now when she’s expecting her first, to read about my pregnancy with her.
During my pregnancy I asked my mom a lot about her symptoms and what she went through. Luckily she remembered most of it and also kept track of some so she was able to share the details with me. It was nice to know we went through similar pregnancies.
I looked for several weeks for the perfect pregnancy and baby book. Most of them are really cute and give you tons of options to get crafty, also help you keep track of lots of information but I knew whatever I did with my first child I would want to do with my second so there was no way I was going to keep up with such lengthly baby books the first time around and much less the second or third time around.
Now that I’m expecting my second I’m glad I thought about this during my first pregnancy because I barely have had any time to write about this pregnancy. I would hate for my first to have the baby books and the rest of my kids to get an “oops, I was too busy.”
After looking everywhere I finally found the perfect book! I could keep track of everything but it was sweet and short with enough room to write longer notes on those days that I had time and felt inspired. Believe me, you want something quick to fill! I kept forgetting to write in some weeks so it was easy to go back and fill it out but if I had to write a lot I would have probably not finished the book.
The book I got is The Belly Book: A Nine-Month Journal for You and Your Growing Belly and I loved it so much that once my daughter was born I got My Baby Book: A Keepsake Journal for Baby’s First Year from the same author. The Baby Book covers the first year and all of baby’s firsts, in a very similar format, short and sweet but with room to write more for those days that you feel inspired.
I also got The Grandparent Book: A Keepsake Journal for the grandmothers. I told them to fill it out whenever they wanted to and gift it to all the kids once they’re older. I only got one book for each grandma so the kids will have to share it. I’m sure once they’re older and the grandparents are not around they will love to read this and learn about who they were.
After my baby’s first year I ended up getting the Your Birthday Book: A Keepsake Journal from this author too. It’s a summary of the kid’s birthdays from 1-18 but it’s also short and sweet so it’s easy to keep up. Can you tell I love her book format? I’m pretty sure she must be a busy mom, one that wants her kids to have a keepsake but doesn’t want something that is hard to keep up with. I decided that whatever I do with my first I will do with the rest of the kids so I got these books for both of my daughters. 🙂
If this is your first, second, third, or tenth pregnancy I encourage you to keep track of it, wether using a baby book, a baby app (some of them have an option to print out what you kept track of), a journal… Anything that you find easy because I’m sure you and your kids will enjoy to read this again in the future.
Did you keep track of your pregnancy and your baby’s first year? If so, what did you use?
B says
I just got our second belly book for baby #2 and we loved the baby book for #1. I will have to check out the birthday book and grandparents book now too!
Carolina says
If you loved the belly book you’re going to love her other books. 🙂
Mama Thyme says
Yup. Thank you for the recommendation. I bought it. I love it!