In this post, learn how to make a Baby’s First Christmas Memory Ornament that will tug your heartstrings every holiday season.

Expecting

Six years ago, I lovingly chose a striped, gender neutral baby book at Hallmark. While checking out, I rubbed my belly and imagined documenting my second child’s first tooth, haircut, and day of school with some sort of fancy pen. Of course, the kids would be playing quietly in the next room as I savored a hot cup of coffee and used my best handwriting.

“Ma’am?”

My attention turned to the cashier, who politely passed me my purchase. But then, I felt the baby kick for the very first time!

“Do you have a pen?” I asked eagerly.

She handed me one. I took the book out of the bag and recorded the crap out of that sweet little baby kick!

Off to a good start, I thought. I capped the pen and handed it back with a satisfied grin.

But Then Life Happened

Turns out, between parenting 2 babies, washing diapers, breastfeeding, working full-time, and keeping a house, writing in my son’s baby book was the last thing I wanted to do when I had a rare free moment. That little kick is the only “first” recorded in that red and yellow striped baby book from Hallmark.

Another second child shafted? Maybe…

The truth was, I’d rather wrap his soft hair in my fingers than write about it in a book. I wanted to memorize every gradient in his blue eyes with my heart, instead of recording the day they changed color. When he smiled for the first time, I wanted to be the one to bring a second, third, and fourth.

Acid-free pens…dates…birthday party lists! Do they even matter?

I put that baby book in a box and didn’t look back.

 

Five Years Later

Two months ago, my family moved from Wisconsin to Ohio for a job relocation. You know, unpacking is rough, and we are finally down to the last few boxes—most of which contain books.

Like the baby book that is 99.9% blank.

The day I found the baby book, I also found an assortment of plastic hospital bracelets, a pink and blue striped hat, stained NB pajamas, a knitted infant sweater, and a pacifier. For a moment, I toyed with the idea of finishing my son’s baby book. But if you’ve read this far, you know me enough to know that is never going to happen!

I didn’t write in the book. Instead, I got crafty.

Baby’s First Christmas Memory Ornament

There is just something about Christmas ornaments; they are special. Most of our Christmas ornaments represent an event, person, place, or thing and this one is my new favorite!

I purchased a clear round ornament and placed my son’s hospital cap, bracelet, anklet, and my hospital bracelet inside. A simple blue ribbon sweetly adorns the top. It’s elegant, meaningful, and makes my heart swoon!

 

Best of all, every Christmas when my sweet boy hangs his Memory Ornament, he will hear his birth story and be reminded of how wanted, loved, and needed he is.

And I hope he’ll be able to recite the crap out of it.

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