What I said:

• I need a baby book
  • reasoning – it’ll help me keep track of all of his firsts
• I love this one; I’ll add it to my registry
• Yay I have it!
  • I’ll fill it out regularly

What I did:

• Brings to hospital
  • forgets it exists because baby
• Pulls out once during unusually quiet moment
  • imagines all the cool things I’ll be able to fill in
•  Fast forward to present
  • rushes to fill everything in
  • extremely thankful for pictures and videos that have a date 🙂
    • haven’t actually printed any of the pictures to put in book…

What I learned from this experience:

• I don’t (didn’t) need a book
• pictures and videos on cell phones make up for the book
• I haven’t printed pictures in years so what made me think a book would change that
• I’ve forgotten lots of stuff so some things only have the month
• I don’t check it every time he hits a milestone

To all of you first time parents who might be considering a baby/memory book ask yourself these questions before purchasing one or adding it to your registry:

• Will I remember to fill it out
  • most start off with basic info and hand/ foot prints
• Am I honestly going to print out accompanying photos
  • do you have a printer at home or will you need to have them printed elsewhere
• What am I going to do with it later
  • Will I keep it in a box filled with other keepsakes for that child
  • Do I plan on giving it to them when they’re old enough
    • Will they care
    • What will I do with it if they don’t want it

With that said I plan on finishing his entire book and apologizing to future children because I doubt I’ll do this again… I hope this is helpful to someone who is considering adding one to their registry or buying one.