Documenting Baby's First Year: Monthly Keepsake Ideas to Track Milestones

October 2, 2024

The first year of a baby’s life is filled with countless precious moments and milestones. Months go by so fast, and before you know it, they’re taking their first steps. But in the haze of the newborn stage and early babyhood, it’s hard to keep track of all these changes, let alone celebrate them, unless you truly set an intention to do so.

At Memorize, we’re all about planning ahead so you can truly enjoy the present moment. One of the best ways to ensure you’re ready to capture every precious moment is by investing in a keepsake trunk right from the start. Our custom-styled fabric, embroidered, and sturdy trunks provide a dedicated space for all your baby’s precious items.

Planning ahead by gathering your keepsake trunk, baby book, and monthly photoshoot props before your baby arrives will help you stay organized and focused on capturing those fleeting moments.

Here are some creative and meaningful ways to document your baby’s first year:

1. Monthly Photoshoots

One of the most popular ways to document your baby's growth is through monthly photoshoots. For consistency and a minimalist aesthetic, choose the same spot in your home and use milestone markers such as a chalkboard or milestone blanket to indicate the month.

You can even theme each photoshoot based on seasons or holidays. These photos will create a beautiful timeline of your baby’s first year and show just how much they’ve grown each month. Don’t toss the props and outfits either - store them in your keepsake trunk for easy access and safekeeping.

2. Baby Book

A baby book is a classic keepsake that allows you to document milestones, special moments, and your baby’s development. Look for a baby book that includes prompts for monthly updates, such as first words, favorite foods, and new skills. It’s not always easy to come up with this information on your own, so prompts are a lifesaver.

You can also add photos, notes, and little anecdotes that capture your baby’s personality and the joy they bring to your life. Many baby books also include a growth chart sheet where you can record your baby’s height and weight each month. Over time, this book will become a cherished family heirloom.

3. Memory Box Items

Creating a memory box is a wonderful way to store tangible keepsakes from your baby’s first year. At Memorize, we’ve taken this tradition a step further with our custom-styled fabric, embroidery, and sturdy, spacious trunks.

The generous size ensures the trunk grows with your child and captures all the objects that hold sentimental value. Here are a few must-have items to include:

Hospital Bracelet
Coming Home Outfit
Favorite Lovey

4. Hand and Footprints

Capturing your baby’s hand and footprints at different stages throughout the year is a lovely way to document their growth, but we do it mostly because it’s adorable. Who doesn’t love tiny feet? You can use non-toxic ink pads or clay kits to create these prints. Consider making hand and footprints every few months and displaying them in a frame or album.

5. Cute Outfits from Each Month

Babies grow incredibly fast, and they quickly outgrow their clothes. It’s the most obvious proof that our moments together are fleeting, which is why it’s often so hard to let go of all those tiny garments. Save a cute outfit from each month or size that holds sentimental value to you and purge or put away the rest. Clothes are the most frequent item we need to declutter, so if you need help deciding, we have an article on organizing outgrown baby clothes.

Spotlight: The Keepsake Trunk

A Memorize keepsake trunk is the perfect way to preserve your baby’s precious first-year memories. These trunks are beautifully crafted heirlooms designed to last a lifetime, featuring:

Customization: Add your baby's name, birth date, or a special message.
High-Quality Materials: Luxurious fabrics, sturdy construction, and elegant embroidery.
Two Size Options: Ample space for all your keepsakes, it grows with your child, allowing you to add more precious items over the years.