Page Toppers

Poem for a Sonogram Picture

(Yves Gagne)

Pregnancy ABC List

A - addition to the family, adorable, alterations, amniocentesis, announcements, anticipation, APGAR, awaiting the arrival, awesome
B - baby, baby carriage, big changes, birth, birth announcement, blessing, bonding, booties, boy or girl?, breathing
C - calendar, cards, celebrating, changes, charts, christening, coming soon, congratulations, contractions, cousins, cravings, c-section
D - daddy, delivery, diapers, dilation, doctor appointments, dreams, due date
E - eager, eating, elation, emotional, enormous, exercise, exhaustion, expanding, expectations
F - false labor, family, father, fatigue, feelings, first photo (ultrasound), food cravings, footprints
G - gaining weight, gestation, gifts, girl or boy?, grandparents
H - happy, hearing the heartbeat, heartburn, high chair, holidays, hopes, hormones, hospital
I - ideas (for nursery, etc.), important info, incredible, indigestion, infant
J - jitters, joy, junior, just the two of us
K - keepsakes, kicking, kidding around, kin, kissing
L - labor, labor coach, lamaze classes, lotion, love, lullaby
M - maternity clothes, midwife, miracle, mommy, mods, morning sickness
N - names, nausea, natural childbirth, nicknames, nursery
O - obstetrician, offspring, ouch!, our family, outings, overdue, overjoyed
P - pacing, pink or blue?, plans, plump, pregnancy test, proud parents, Push!
Q - queasy, questions, quickening, quiet time, quotes
R - radiant, rattle, recreation, reflections, religious events, rest
S - shopping, showers, sonogram, splish splash, stork, stretch marks, stroller
T - thoughts, toys, trimesters, twins?
U - ultrasound, umbilical cord, unbelievable, unforgettable
V - vacations, vitamins, visitors
W - waiting, walking, we (Mom and Dad then Mom, Dad and baby), weight gain, welcome home
X - eXciting, eXtra special moments, relaXation, XL
Y - yarn (for knitting), yawning, you (thoughts about the baby), yowling
Z - amaZing, zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zwieback, zzzzz

from I Knew I Loved You Before I Met You

(Savage Garden)
Leslie in VA used this song with her ultrasound pictures. She said "it really touched me because I always wanted to be a mommy and this song really put it into words for me!)

There's just no rhyme or reason
Only this sense of completion
And in your eyes
I see the missing pieces
I'm searching for
I think I've found my way home

I know that it might sound more than a little crazy
But I believe
I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

A thousand angels dance around you
I am complete now that I've found you

Baby Shower Idea

(Although this album is meant to be put together at a shower by a group of people it would also be a great individual project .)

A
Baby
Celebration

It's a shower for the mother-to-be or a mother of a new baby. You need someone to host it just like a class coordinator. The cost of the album with all the stickers, die cuts, etc., is around $63 retail. You'll want the participants to pay around $10-$20 to cover that and use the extra money as a gift certificate for the mother to buy cropping tools, etc. I ask for the host to collect $120 total, so if 6 people come...have each pay $20, or if 10 people come...have each pay $12. This is not like a home class, you aren't giving any materials away, you aren't going to do your presentation.

Before the shower:
Use a 12"X12" Premiere album. Start with the back of the first page and label (in pencil) with the letter A. Label the rest of the pages in the book for the rest of the alphabet. Keep the pages in the book so that at the shower you can demonstrate how easy it is to take the book apart and put back together. Make the title page ahead of time (_______'s ABC album).

You will use the idea books and Congratulations kits to complete the pages (Vol IV, Vol V, and Fast Formulas) Below is a list of a layout to use for each letter. V means Volume V, IV means Volume IV, and FF means Fast Formulas. The a or b after each page number means top (a) or bottom (b).

Letter Idea found in...
A is for Announcement V p.27a
B is for Birthday Congratulations kit with party hat
C is for Celebrate Congratulations kit with balloons
D is for Daddy Congratulations kit with tools
E is for Egg Hunt V p.8b
F is for Fall Congratulations kit with leaves
G is for Grandparents V p.76b
H is for Halloween V p.17a
I is for Insects FF p.64b
J is for Jingle Bells FF p.48a
K is for Keepsake FF p.22-23
L is for Love Congratulations kit with bear, hearts
M is for Mommy FF p.49a
N is for New Years V p.3a
O is for Opening Presents FF p.33b
P is for Pets IV p.50b or...
P is for Picnic FF p.25b
Q is for Quilts IV p.70a
R is for Rock-a-Bye FF p.29a
S is for Summer Fun FF p.65b
T is for Toys IV p.41a
U is for Umbrella V p.58b
V is for Vacation FF p.12b
W is for Winter Congratulations kit with snow
X is for eXcellent V p.12a
Y is for Yawn V p.26b
Z is for Zoo FF p.29b

Use ziploc bags to place the stickers, die cuts, short cuts, etc. in for each letter. Also include an index card with the letter, what it stands for, and where the idea is found.

Don't take any materials with you to sell but take your cropping tools in your Memory Mate Bag. This is a time to celebrate with the Mother-to-be, not a home class. Do take plenty of business cards. When they see how easy and fun scrapbooking is and they may want to coordinate a Home Class or attend a workshop.

At the Shower:
Give a brief introduction and show participants how to use the cropping tools. Take apart the album and have each person draw for the page they will make. Remember that B and C are grouped together, etc. So, they will make the letter on the front and the back. Give them the corresponding supplies to complete their page including the idea book. While they are working, pass around the cover of the album for each person to write something sentimental and sign. (Kimberly in TX)

Baby Shower Thank You

Another Thank You

Ultrasound Poem

Running errands and talking on the phone,
I am pleasantly reminded that I am not alone.
Little tiny hands a precious rounded knee
pushing and twisting that no one can see.
Oh sweet child kicking up your heels,
it is our little secret that only I can feel.
I look forward to your birth,
when I can kiss your skin,
but for now I will just smile,
As I feel you play within.

Ultrasound Poem to give with photo copy

(Teri Harrison - this can be adapted for niece, nephew, etc.)

Here's a little peak at me,
it shows I'm on my way,
Little grandchildren like me
don't happen everyday.

Documenting a Pregnancy

Miscellaneous Tips

• Make labels label saying, 1 week, 1 month etc. Include the label in the first photo you take on a particular day. This will help keep your photos organized after they are developed. This idea applies to both photos during your pregnancy and photos of the new baby.
• Same idea as above but use a calendar page with the date circled.
• Same idea but take a photo of the newspaper from that day showing the headline and current date. That way you can use the photo in the album.
• Set up a file system to store memorabilia and photos. Use a hanging file for each month or week plus files for specific things like showers.
• Get or make a calendar with lots of space for writing. That is a quick and easy way to keep track of things and can be put in the scrapbook.
• Be sure that your memorabilia does not touch your photos in your scrapbook. Use page protectors and photos sleeves.
• Relax and have fun! This list is just suggestions, you don't need to include everything.

Sequence Stuff

• Monthly shots of expanding belly. In my family we do side shots in front of a white wall with mom wearing a form fitting t-shirt and shorts or jeans. Others do front shots with belly exposed.
• Shots of siblings with hand on Mom's belly at different stages of the pregnancy.
• Professional portraits if you can afford it - alone, or with the father, or with older children, with the focus on mommy's tummy.
• Have Dad stand behind mom with his arms around her and his hands clasped together - leaving as much excess space as he can. Title that photo "Room to Grow". Each month take another photo in the same position. Depending on the length of Dad's arms and how much Mom grows he may or may not be able to reach around her at the end of the pregnancy!
• Same idea as above but have Mom put on a full size maternity dress and stretch it out in front as far as it will go. Have someone write down what Mom says the first month - almost no one believes they will get any where near as big as they actually do!
• Doctors Appointments - keep appointment cards, weight gain, baby's heart rate and special comment.
• Put a chart in your scrapbook showing your monthly weight gain with the title "Weighting for You"
• Doctor and Hospital Bills - even if insurance pays it will be interesting to know the cost

Pregnancy News

• When and why you first suspected you were pregnant
• When and how you found out
• Home pregnancy test - photo of the results
• How you felt when you found out you were pregnant
• How you told Dad and how he reacted (have him journal it or write down what he says word for word)
• How you told your parents and their reaction (also ask them to write something)
• Reaction of older siblings - include specific comments
• Did you find out baby's gender before birth - Why or why not?

Pregnancy

• Your ob/gyn - names, photos, business card, photo of office
• Favorite nurses - names and photos
• Childbirth classes - teacher, classmates (photos of you at the class)
• Babies name - when and how you selected it, meaning of name
• Sonogram pictures - they usually fade fast so make photo copies

Mom

• Receipts or tags from maternity clothes
• Swatches of fabric from maternity clothes
• Pregnancy symptoms
• Weird dreams
• Old wives tales you hear
• Food cravings
• Special diet, vitamins, etc.
• Favorite sleeping position, pillow, etc.

Preparing for Baby

• Before and After photos of room used for nursery
• Paint chips, fabric swatches and wall paper samples
• Mom and Day decorating baby's room
• Mom and Day assembling baby furniture
• Receipts for nursery items
• Stroller, high chair, playpen, swing, etc.
• Finished nursery

Showers

• Invitation
• Cards received
• Guest and gift list
• Unopened gifts
• Mom with hostess
• Mom with close relatives
• Each guest individually with Mom
• Mom opening gifts
• Gifts arranged nicely after opening
• Group shots of games or talking
• Photo of refreshment table before and after
• Save wrapping paper and ribbons (use to decorate the pages you put the cards on)

Leaving for the Hospital

• Packing the suitcase
• Dad loading up car w/mom's suitcase
• Mom entering car (pregnant belly shot)
• Mom inside car
• Photo of Mom and Dad as they leave the house and when they return as a family instead of a couple.
• A photo of the car as it drives away
• Siblings - dropping off at sitter, having grandma come to stary, etc.)

At the Hospital

• Outside view of hospital
• Admitting area
• Clock to show time admitted
• Picture of Mom and Dad taken by clerk
• Labor and Delivery room
• Ways you passed the time
• Dr. in scrubs
• Nurses
• Machines you were hooked up to (save the printouts if possible)
• Focal point for breathing exercises
• Special foods (ice chips, etc.)
• If you tour the hospital before the birth you can take some photos then

During Delivery

• Have someone else take photos so Dad can pay attention to Mom
• Dad pacing, holding Moms hand, etc.
• Mom at various stages of labor
• Mom and Dad together
• Baby coming out (mom's view may be best!)
• Clock with exact time of birth
• Dad cutting umbilical cord
• Anything you won't be embarrassed to have passed around!

After Delivery

• Nurses/Drs weighing and examining baby
• Closeup showing weight mark on scales
• Baby getting measured - they usually send the tape home with you
• Baby getting foot-printed
• Pre-arrange to bring acid free paper and have extra footprints made
• Baby getting cleaned up
• Dr. with Baby
• Mom/dad phoning relatives/friends
• Family picture (mom/dad/new baby/siblings)
• Baby in the nursery
• Baby in bassinet
• Baby holding adult's finger
• Baby's hand in or next to Dad's hand
• Visitors with baby - be sure not to focus so much on the baby that you don't show the visitor.
• Be sure to journal how far off the baby was from your due date

Leaving the Hospital

• Getting baby dressed
• Baby in first outfit
• Mom being wheeled out
• Dad carrying out gifts (balloons, flowers, etc.)
• If you decide to leave behind some flowers be sure to keep the cards
• Hospital bracelets, tag off bassinet, etc.
• Dad installing car seat
• Baby in car seat
• Outside view of hospital (if you didn't get it on arrival)

New Baby

• Greetings upon returning home (stork on lawn, ribbons on mailbox, etc.)
• Reactions of siblings - include specific comments
• Photos of siblings in a group
• Photos of each sibling with baby
• Reaction of pets
• Sleeping on dad's chest
• Visitors holding baby - be sure to get visitors face in photo
• Three (or four) generation photos
• First diaper change
• First bath
• Sleeping in various positions
• Favorite toys
• Favorite blanket
• Sucking Thumb
• Congratulations cards (if you get a lot you can use parts of them to make a collage)
• First visit to pediatrician (photo of office and doctor)

Charting Growth

• Use a pre-made growth chart or make your own so it will be the perfect size and shape for you scrapbook
• You can record things as they happen on the chart or keep track on paper and transfer the info later
• Some people make a new footprint of the baby every month.
• Take a monthly picture of baby in the same chair and with the same stuffed animal

Blooming Bellies

Take a photo each month, silhouette the pictures and use gardening pots (clay pots) across the bottom of the page and on each pot label the time frame i.e. one month, two months etc. Then cut out sticks of different lengths so the pictures are staggered across the page and put a pregnant belly picture on each stick.