Tuesday, November 30, 2010

When Baby Books Just Won't Work for Our Coming Cuddle Bugs

A few weeks back I went hunting for a baby book. A silly thing to do now that I think about it.  I started flipping through Peter Rabbit themed and other blue and pink books, and saw scores of useless pages with questions I will never be able to answer for our two children coming from Ethiopia. "Weight at birth?" Hmmm...underweight? Don't really want to highlight that one. Dates of first smile, first teeth, even first word. No idea. Hospital name? Can I change that to birth family hut? Seriously, I'd have to hack up half the baby book to make it work.

And then I looked online for baby books for adopted children -- and I found a bunch of..."uglies."  I'm sure there must be sharp ones out there, but I launched Plan B instead.

I'm making a baby book using our pet bunny Peter and dog Enoch as the book's mascots. Here are a few unfinished pages that I started. I'm chronicling all the ways friends and family have come along side us to already love on our children through their prayers and friendship. I'm getting to list -- while things and emotions are so fresh -- all the ways God continues to confirm that this is the way we're suppose to start growing our family.  Then I'll be able to write up some of the fun facts about our travel adventures, and about Ethiopia as a country.  Lots to do! Lots to do with all that "waiting time."

So, lets get those creative juices flowing! Do you have some other good baby book questions or page ideas for our coming cuddle bugs?

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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 30, 2010 at 12:55 PM

    How about scrabbooking in pages from children's books or magazines? I have seen some cute framed prints from a book - was that you that did that? :-)

    Kristin W.

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  2. Jennifer PattersonNovember 30, 2010 at 1:17 PM

    Dear Courtney, Your post brought back a lot of my own memories. With my children being the NICU from the moment they were born, we too didn't have a lot of firsts - first time they opened their eyes, first smile, first time they put on clothes, etc. Ours too were severely underweight at 2lbs 13oz and 2lbs 15oz. So when I was given those books to catalog their first stages... I found myself crying because I couldn't answer them. We never had a baby shower. I couldn't put pictures in where they asked. I look at what you are doing and my heart swells with ope. I LOVE that you are charting their journey to you. That will be a priceless piece for them. Remember to write your feelings on that journey too - the good and the scary :) They are going to be very blessed to be able to call you and yours home. You are going to make a fantastic mom. I shall pray they come faster.

    As for ideas... I think what you have now is perfect. For future things, their first Christmas with you. Meeting you. Meeting the extended family, etc. I am sure whatever you come up with will be perfect.

    Thank you for being an inspiration.

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  3. Courtney HolderDecember 1, 2010 at 12:22 PM

    Thanks Jennifer for all the encouragement! I didn't know the story about your children -- glad they're doing so well now -- I'm sure that was a difficult journey for you and yours. That's one thing I've really enjoyed about this adoption journey -- how much I've gotten to learn about my friend, hear their stories and re-connecting with old friends :) Thanks for sharing and for the ideas -- first Xmas is a good one!

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  4. Courtney HolderDecember 1, 2010 at 12:23 PM

    Kris -- great idea about using old children's book illustrations! oowww...I bet I can find some images on-line...

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  5. finjenDecember 1, 2010 at 9:58 PM

    I love it!! We have an exploding baby book for Sophia, mainly because I don't know what to do with cards that she gets on birthdays -- I feel obliged to keep them all. But lately, it's totally overflowing because I have a hard time throwing away Sophia's artwork. I haven't filled in half of the blanks in the book (it's details that I don't remember or don't value), but it's full of love from others and beauty that she's made. I don't really know what to about photos, either... they're all burned to CDs, but that's pretty archaic -- or will be in a few years. But printing them out seems funny to do, too. I'm thinking that every year or so I should just have one of those photo books made for Sophia...

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  6. Courtney HolderDecember 7, 2010 at 10:48 AM

    Thanks Jen! What a great idea for Sophia -- love that she's doing ART -- miss you :) I was in Portland this weekend and thinking about all our fun adventures in Vancouver and in our camping adventures!!

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  7. Rebekka SealeJanuary 25, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    Okay, first of all...I LOVE your blog! And I'm so glad we got to chat, at least for a bit, on the phone today :)

    Second...we bought this baby book for adoptive families: http://www.amazon.com/My-Family-Journey-Adoptive-Families/dp/0811857379/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t and it's really beautiful, especially in person.

    But now, after seeing yours...I wish I were making one too! It is absolutely gorgeous and they will appreciate it so very much :)

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  8. Courtney HolderFebruary 9, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    Thanks Rebekka! So fun to chat with you too. So glad you like my book. I LOVE your illustrations. Beautiful work.

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