The first year of your baby’s life is an incredibly special time that seems to fly by and before you
know it, maternity leave is over, they are toddling around everywhere, and you are wondering
where the time went. So much happens in the first year, and chances are you’ll be sleep deprived
and focusing on getting through each day, and so it can be hard to record all the milestones and
precious little moments.
There’s no doubt that parenting is a hugely demanding job and there’s so many occasions that you
don’t want to forget but finding the time or energy feels impossible. So Gemma at Cheeky Little
Smiles has pulled together her top list of ‘moments’ to help you remember all the memories you are
going to definitely want to capture.
1. When you first met.
The best moment ever: when you first met your newborn. The moment you took in their beautiful
baby features, touched their soft skin and heard their first sounds. The only time hearing their cry is
a relief. Holding them for the first time and watching everything they do, finding every expression
adorable and filling up with love when they wrap their hand around your finger for the first time.
2. Babys first smile and laugh
These have to be standout special moments for every parent. When you know it’s no longer wind
and they are actually smiling back at you. Treasuring the image of their faces lighting up when they
are so tiny is so precious. Then hearing their first chuckle at you doing the smallest or silliest of
things, then repeating it over and over just to capture that beautiful sound. Even more so in recent
times as the joy in these tiny little people is infectious.
3. When your baby cuddles you back.
We spend so long holding our babies, rocking them to sleep, cuddling them, longing for the moment
when they will cuddle us back. Then they get a bit bigger and stronger and finally put their little
arms around your neck and hold on tightly. Such a tender moment between baby and parent
making our bonds even stronger.
4. Sleep journey
Did your baby lull you into a false sense of security by sleeping well as a newborn only to hit the 4-
month regression and wake you almost every hour? Have you been lucky and blessed with a really
good sleeper or a cheeky little one who likes to keep seeing you all night long? Sleep is such a big
factor when becoming a parent and I am sure we all know what it’s like trying to get through the day
on very little sleep; even harder when you’ve not been able to go anywhere or have anyone to help
you. But that day when they finally sleep all night, or even just a long chunk of sleep for the first
time is the most amazing feeling. It’s great to celebrate these moments.
5. Weaning journey
This is always a fun time. Experimenting with food, figuring out if they prefer purees, finger foods or
just like playing with it. Watching their little faces and sounds when they enjoy something for the
first time or equally funny, witnessing their disgust when they don’t like it at all. Did you feed your
baby yourself or allow them to try it themselves? Even though weaning can be a messy journey, it’s
great to capture their grubby faces or the mess they make all over the floor to show them when they
are older.
6. Baby talk
Hearing your baby coo for the first time or babbling with different sounds is such a great moment.
Then watching them as they start to recognise your voice and the words you say. Seeing them wave
when you say bye bye or looking towards you when you say their name. All these milestones are
very precious but when the babbles mean something for the first time and they say their first word,
it’s very exciting. Did your baby say mum or dad first or something completely different?
7. Baby’s developmental milestones
There are so many exciting milestones in their first year like when they get their first tooth or move
for the first time; from rolling over to crawling to walking. The first time they recognise your voice
and face. When they start copying your actions like waving bye bye, giving cuddles and kisses.
Remembering the stories behind each milestone is so special, like crawling for the first time to reach
something they love to play with.
8. Baby’s favourites
As your baby gets older and starts reaching out for objects or recognising certain sounds, you
become more aware of the things that bring your baby joy. A favourite song they move their body
to, a book they love to read and a game they enjoy playing. Is there something they take comfort
from like a soft toy, dummy or a cuddle with you?
9. Baby's first birthday
You’ve made it. They’ve turned one. You have watched your beautiful baby grow and develop over
the past 12 months. This feels like such an achievement and sweet occasion for parents to
celebrate. It’s a lovely time to reflect on the past year and look back on all the precious photos and
memories when they were so small.
It’s important to remember, it’s the small moments that matter most. The love you have for each
other and the strong bond as a result of being together all the time is what they will take from this
year. I’m sure they would love to know all about their first year.
This blog was written by Gemma Lomas, who had her second daughter Ava when the pandemic
began in 2020. It was a scary time, when pregnant women were told they were high risk and had to
isolate for 12 weeks and then when she finally did give birth, she was left in the hospital all alone
with her baby for a few days. Not the journey or maternity leave she was hoping for.
Then she realised in the loneliest and strangest of times, the littlest people were bringing us the
greatest joy and she wanted to write all about it so they will remember these special, yet crazy
times. Reading back one day that when you were born, your father was unable to stay in the
hospital, everyone was wearing a face mask and your mother was told not to let anyone hold you is
going to seem very surreal.
Gemma looked for a baby journal, but so many on the market had prompts and she felt they were
missing out on some of these typical experiences, like first holiday or visitors at the hospital. She
wanted to create something beautiful that she could use for her daughter to record her unique first
year. She then thought other parents may like this too.
And so Cheeky Little Smiles was born.
The baby journals are perfect for parents who want to record their baby's special first year and all
the memories that other journals don't always allow for. Instead of a book with prompts and detail
inside which may not be relevant, they will get a separate booklet of prompts. This will help
mothers and fathers remember all their special moments if busy parenthood, sleepless nights or
baby brain makes them miss a few pages.
My Baby Journal
A beautiful book with a luxurious woven cloth cover and a gold foil embossed title.
100 high quality pages in neutral colours.
Packaged in a luxury keepsake box with magnetic and ribbon closure and wrapped in
beautiful, branded tissue.
Includes a separate little booklet of prompts to help you remember your most precious
moments.
Won 2 Project Baby Awards; Best Baby Shower Gift and Best Book for Mum.
As seen in John Lewis and Stacey Solomon’s girls room.
Available in a choice of colours; ivory or grey.
Prices start from £35
If you would like to capture your baby’s most precious memories in a luxury baby journal, beautifully
packaged in a keepsake box, you can visit her website: www.cheekylittlesmiles.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cheekylittlesmiles
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