Documenting Baby's FIrst Year

I can't believe my little baby boy is almost ONE YEAR OLD!!!! I won't get sappy [just yet] but I thought I would share a few posts leading up to the big day. One of my friends gave me these adorable monthly stickers when E was born to document his growth. It's been fun taking his picture each month from just a little peanut, to sitting on his own, next it was crawling, then standing up and now walking.

Thanks to pinterest, I found a couple other creative ways to document your baby's first year that I wanted to share [I apologize up front for the small images].

How cute is this? I love the idea of keeping an object in the picture so you can see how big your babe is getting. They took it one step further and put the baby INSIDE of the object [laundry basket]. Genius! {photo credit}

This is such a cute idea too. Choose an outfit and take your little one's picture in it throughout the year. They start out swimming in it and by the end, they are busting out! {photo credit}

With this idea you can get creative. Use letter magnetics, blocks or I've even seen people write something out on a chalk board to document each month. All great ideas! {photo credit}

I love this idea for each year [which means I can start soon and keep going with E!] Take a picture of your baby and then using a program like Photoshop, add text with how old they are and what their favorites are currently or what milestones they are at. A fun way to document them as they grow old! {photo credit}


Have you done something unique to document your baby's growth? Please share, I'd love more ideas!!



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Spend a Week in the Twin Cities [with your baby!]

When E was an itty bitty baby and I was searching for every mommy book under the sun, I came across this gem: The Rookie Moms Handbook. Filled with wit, humor and 250 activities to do with [and without] your baby, this book is a must have for every new mama out there! I was fortunate enough to connect with Heather from Rookie Moms during a late night twitter [nursing] session and came up with this post for new moms [and dads] visiting the Twin Cities [no matter what the season or weather].



Monday

[Summer] Como Zoo is a Minnesota must for you and baby in the summer time. Donations accepted for admission, it’s the perfect smaller size zoo for your little one. Bring a picnic lunch and wander the outside gardens and conservatory afterwards for some great photo-ops!

[Winter] Visit the independently owned bookshop Wild Rumpus in Linden Hills [Minneapolis]. New mama’s, I would avoid the crowded story time at 10:30 and go a little later to cozy up in this enchanting store with your little one- just watch out for the live chickens running around! Afterwards, feel free to do a little window-shopping for baby at cute stores like Creative Kids Stuff or Oscar & Belle.

Tuesday

[Summer] Minnehaha Falls is a perfect spot in the city to go for a daytime hike with your baby. A beautiful area with various walking paths and ample parking close to the park [in case baby is fussy and you need to make a quick emergency exit.] Don’t forget to swing by the Sea Salt Eatery before you leave & order a cone of Minneapolis’s award winning Sebastian Joe’s ice cream.

[Winter] Baby story time [10:30 – 11:00] at Red Balloon Bookshop on Grand Ave. is a “can’t miss” event for you and baby. Sara Waters [Sara’s Stories] reads stories, sings silly songs and even plays the violin to keep these babies entranced. Afterwards meet up with some mommy-friends at Café Latte for a delicious lunch! The friendly staff is more than willing to lend a hand when yours are full with baby.

Wednesday

[Summer] Cool off at the Splash Pad at Wabun Park in Minneapolis [near Minnehaha Falls]. While you might not be ready to take your baby to the big pool, this splash pad & wadding pool is the perfect way to get your feet wet and let your baby enjoy splashing around.

[Winter] Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis hosts “Wee Wednesdays” every week [10:30AM] which includes anything from live animals from the zoo, to cooking for your baby and even story times and sing-a-longs. After enjoying this free event, make sure to stop by Salty Tart to satisfy your sweet tooth with a “melt-in-you-mouth” cupcake or cookie.

Thursday

[Summer] Take a day trip to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska. Meet up with a girlfriend and bring the stroller for a nice long walk to enjoy the beautiful flowers and landscapes. Don’t forget the camera, another great place for some memorable pictures!

[Winter] Need to get some exercise but not ready to leave your baby? Hit up Stroller Strides [9:15AM] at the Mall of America. This mommy boot camp is free your first time with additional classes being as low as $2.75 with certain membership packages.

Friday

[Summer] Take advantage of those small babies that will sleep anywhere and head to the Vali-Hi Drive-In. No need to even take your snoozing baby out of their car seat and you’ve got instant date-night up front!

[Winter] Every Friday from 11:00-12:00 Amma Parenting Center in Edina has drop-in baby playtime. Bring yourself and your baby and Amma will provide a nursing friendly environment with music, toys, blankets and babies! A great place for new mom’s to venture out of the house for the first time and make new mommy friends!

Saturday

[Winter] Check out the Habitot room at the MN Children’s Museum that is especially designed for little ones on the move. This is another hot spot for meeting new mommy friends while your baby is exploring the soft and sensory little world built just for them! [Bonus: children under 1 are FREE and there is also a nursing room.]

[Summer] Hit up the shops of Woodbury Lakes with your little one. This outdoor mall has the right balance of boutiques and national retailers for baby AND mama!

Sunday

[Summer] Head to the St. Paul or Minneapolis Farmers Market. Strap your baby to your chest and enrich their sensory experiences with the bright colors and smells of the fresh produce. Let older babies help pick out fruits and vegetables to encourage healthy eating.

[Winter] BOYB [bring your own BABY that is] mommy & me yoga at Blooma. A great way for new mama’s to get some exercise while stimulating baby at the same time. Running late? Fussy baby? Need to nurse in the middle of class? NO problem! Even major blowouts mid class are understood here.


What do you love doing with your little one in Minnesota?

Lil' Explorers at Como Zoo

[Note: This event is for you mama's [and papa's] with a little older babe as recommended age is 1 to 3 year olds.]

Como Zoo started a new FREE event that runs January through April called Lil' Explorers. Come explore 10:00 - 12:00 each Thursday in the Visitor's Center. Meet animals and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Each week there is a different animal theme--anything from teddy bear picnic to junior gardener.

Click here for more details on Lil' Explorers.

New Year. New Fitness Plan.

I'm not really the type of person to make New Years resolutions, but it is always a good time of the year to re-evaluate your lifestyle. For me, 2012 is about finding time for myself again. My little man will be a year this February [gasp!] and over the past 11 months, I have been lost in his every want and need. We all know it's important to take care of our babies, but sometimes we forgot it's equally as important to take care of ourselves. Which is why I'm really excited to share with you a new business opening up this January in Woodbury.



Baby Boot Camp helps balance the fitness needs of new moms with their desire to spend time with their baby. This innovative stroller-fitness program helps moms regain or enhance pre-pregnancy fitness levels and meet the physical challenges of parenting by emphasizing strength training in a supportive environment.

Baby Boot Camp will be having their Grand Opening on January 25th at the Valley Creek Mall [meeting next to Keys Cafe & Bakery]. Join other mama's and enjoy light refreshments, amazing prize giveaways from local businesses and goodie bags to the first 30 participants! Also you can sign up for classes and take advantage of promotional pricing available only during the Grand Opening.

Classes will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00AM-10:00AM at the Valley Creek Mall. Package deals can be purchased for as low as $65/mo. For more information on Baby Boot Camp and owner Heather Hampton, read this article featured in Macaroni Kid [SE Metro, MN] or check them out on facebook here.

Do you make goals or resolutions every year? What is your resolution for 2012?