If you’re anything like us, patience is easier said than done, so we’ll get straight to the free download. After many requests, we’ve created a downloadable PDF and an editable Word document of our “DIY Baby Book” that we first showed in our getting-ready-for-baby post. You can find the print-ready PDF and the editable Word Doc via the links mentioned earlier. To remind you how we put it together, here’s a quick recap:
The idea actually came from John (he’s the sentimental one; I’m the nervous one worrying about everything). He suggested we buy a fabric-covered album and make our own baby book using patterned paper and printed prompts similar to those in commercial baby books—prompts like “The First Week Was…” and “My First Word…”. I loved the idea of including keepsakes such as Clara’s inked footprints from the hospital along with lots of photos. We picked up an 8.5 x 8.5″ fabric-covered album at Michael’s (with a 40% off coupon) and a pad of 8 x 8″ patterned paper to use as backgrounds. The whole DIY project cost us around $15.
After cutting and arranging the decorative paper, leaving space for notes about milestones, and adding photos and memorabilia, we ended up with a charming way to document many of Clara’s firsts. We’ve already filled in a few pages and love how it’s shaping up.
Because we made it ourselves, we included a few quirky pages—like a “Future Predictions” spread where John and I guessed Clara’s hair and eye color, first word, favorite school subject, and even a possible profession. It will be fun for her to flip through those goofy (probably inaccurate) guesses someday.
The book also looks adorable in the nursery, which is a nice bonus.
To use our templates, download the print-ready PDF or the editable Word Doc from the links mentioned earlier, print the pages, cut out the captions, and arrange them in an album with pretty paper and photos. It’s an easy, inexpensive way to create a personalized keepsake.
Now for the five lifesavers we promised. Many readers asked what household items have been most helpful since Clara arrived. While not strictly home improvement, these items have made our household much more efficient during the early parenting weeks. At three weeks in we already have a short list of things we absolutely love—items we’d recommend to new parents or anyone adjusting to life with a baby:
1. Aden + Anais swaddle blankets. These large, breathable muslin swaddles (about 44″ x 44″) are perfect for recreating that snug, womb-like feeling. The nurses at the hospital swaddled Clara and she always seemed calmer and slept better afterward. We swaddle her before bed and sometimes have to wake her for feedings because she sleeps so soundly. Note: always swaddle securely and follow safe-sleep guidance so loose blankets don’t pose a risk.
2. A convertible clutch/diaper organizer. We use a compact clutch that turns any tote into a diaper bag—great for avoiding the need to buy a separate diaper bag. It holds diapers, wipes, an extra outfit, and includes a portable changing mat. We tuck it into larger purses so we can change bags without repacking everything. The detachable changing mat is especially useful for quick cleanups during impromptu diaper changes.
3. A tracking app for feedings and diapers. On the day we came home from the hospital we downloaded an app to log nursing sessions and diaper changes. It tracks feeding duration, which side to start on next, and wet/dirty diaper counts—useful for monitoring baby’s health and feeding patterns. For a small cost it replaced the need for a separate timing device and kept everything in one place.
4. Ready-made or frozen meals. Friends and family dropped off frozen casseroles and other meals after Clara arrived, and we joke that we’ve never eaten better. If you’re unsure how many meals you’ll receive, consider making and freezing a few before delivery so you have easy, nourishing options when nights and days blur together. Simple prepared meals remove the stress of cooking when you’re focused on caring for the baby.
5. A movement-sensitive baby monitor. This is a personal preference—some parents don’t want one—but for us it provides priceless peace of mind. The monitor detects subtle movements, like her chest rising and falling, and sounds an alarm if movement stops for a set period. It also functions as a sound monitor so we can hear coos and cries. Because of it we’ve felt comfortable putting Clara in her crib from day one, which has helped establish a sleep routine and allowed us to sleep more soundly.
Those five items have been incredibly helpful in these first few weeks. To be clear, none of the product makers paid us or gave us perks to mention them; these are simply things that made our transition to parenthood easier, and we wanted to share them in response to the many reader questions we’ve received.
Now, a few more photos to break things up:
We’re creating a weekly photo series to document Clara’s growth. We use a white onesie, a colorful fabric backdrop, and a simple edit to add the week number. By her first birthday we’ll have 52 images showcasing her changes on different graphic backgrounds that we’ll compile into a photo book. We’ll also add the weekly photos to our photo album online for anyone who wants to follow along.
Finally, we’d love to hear your top five can’t-live-without baby items. If you’re not a parent yet, tell us five things that make your life easier right now. What’s helping you get through your days?
P.S. This post contains affiliate links.