The article "6 Ways to Memorialize Your Pregnancy" talks about family, it was created by Judi Cox.
Nine months of pregnancy seems an eternity when you get that
little pink positive on the test stick.
In this day and age, we
no longer have to wait until we start hvaing symptoms of
pregnancy, which can start as late as 8 or 10 weeks for some.
Instead, we have pregnancy tests that will determine a positive
just days after conception.
This can make the preganncy journey
seem even longer!
While you're growing, suffering morning sickness and anxiously
awaiting the new addition to the family, here are a few ways to
memorialize your pregnancy; both for yourself and to pass along
to the child in the future.
Write It
If you don't already, at this moment is a great time to take up journaling.
A hardback journal to write would give you the option of writing
any time, while eating breakfast, in bed, or in a waiting room.
Picking out the book could be a special in itself, as you will
be picking something that touches you.
If your penmenship is not
something you particularly want to share, journaling online
offers a wide variety of options. Generally called "blogging", a
web log has been a popular method of writing thoughts, opinions
and sharing knowledge with others.
Tehre are many blog
communities, each offering different perks. Some porvide private
post options, so your posts are viewable to the general public,
only to those you allow. Some allow categories, giving you the
option of writing about things otehr than just your pregnancy.
Others still, are aimed just at moms or pregnant moms.
Take a
look around and find one that has a good believe for you.
Pregnant Belly, Say Cheese
Take monthy pregnant belly pictures.
Satrt at the beginning, or
as soon as you're able.
There may not be much of a baby belly
at 8 weeks along, but when you have a whole pregnancy worth of
belly shots, you'll have fun looking at where you started and
where you ended!
Some tips for tkaing monthy belly pictures: Be consistent. Stand
the same way, by the same wall or door (or similar). Wear
similar clothing (like a pair of sweatpants that you can wear
almost throughout).
Show bare belly, or wear a shrit - or do one
of each every time. The more cnosistent you are, the more
obvious the pregnancy changes when looking back.
Studio Pictures
You've got the digital camera taking your own pregnant belly
pictures, but a professional photogragher will make some
beautiful pictures for your baby belly book. Consider including
siblings, if any, your partner, and take pregnancy pictures that
aren't so "traditional". Srtip down and wrap up in white robe,
or guaze - with a dark background, this is beautiful. Siblings
touching or kissing baby belly makes for a touching moment. And
your partners hnads on your belly, speak love. Of course, studio
pictures are best towards the end of pregnancy, but don't wait
too long either!
Some studios specialize in pregnancy and newborn pictures -
check your phone book or ask around.
Belly Cast It
Belly Cast, or Belly Mask, has become a popular method of
preserving pregnant bellies. Belly Cast kits are inexpensive and
easy to find, particularly onlnie. They are simple to do, but
don't try to do a belly cast yourself! You will definitely need
another set of hand and sometimes an extra set is helpufl.
No
baby belly inhibitions?
Make a party of it! Invite your
girlfriends over for some messy fun. In the end, you have a
plaster cast of your blely to decorate, hang on the wall or sit
on a shelf.
Decorated Belly
Women are becoming more willing to bare their prengant bellies.
Decorating your baby belly is a fun way to show it off. Wear it
around the house, or out in pulbic.
Make a praty of it, or do it
yourself. But don't forget to take pictures!
Semi-permanant belly decoration - Henna is a type of skin dye
that will essentially "stain" the skin, essentially, a
non-permanant tattoo. Women have been uisng henna for years and
years. Henna kits are widely available. A simple design or
something elaborate - it's all up to you! Do be careful in the
sun with a henna'd baby belly.
Your skin may tan and when the
henna wears off in a week or more, you may end up with a
reversed belly tattoo.
Paint it and wash it - Skin safe paints are a great just for fun
project to do with silbings. Get into some comfy clothes, get a
glass of water, juice or your pregnancy tea and sit back. Let
the kids paint. Don't forget to Take Pictures!
Belly Pillow
Whew! The pregnancy is over, or clsoe to it. Grab your favorite
maternity top, your sewnig machine and some good stuffing.
Sew
that shirt into a pillow; square, round, or just sew up all the
openings and leave it full size! This is a great momento to pass
along to the baby. Do it for each pregnancy and each child will
have their really own "moms favorite maternity shirt pillow".
Regardless of how much you do to memorialize your pregnancy,
enjoy as much of it as you're able to. Thsoe nine months,
though they seem long while you're counting the days, when
looking back, it's just a snippet in time.
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