New parents find out quickly just how fast time can pass with a baby. Once at home with a new arrival, it seems like the day and night blends into one, punctuated by dirty and wet diapers and (if you’re lucky) a nap or two.

While there’s no way to stop or turn back the clock, there are a few things you can do to savor the moment, no matter how sore, tired or sleep deprived you might feel.

• Take photos and/or video. It goes without saying that your cameras have been busy – probably even before baby arrived. Remember to take a picture and/or video as often as you can to document everything. You – as well as any family or friends you share it with – will be glad you did.

• Write it down. Keep a baby book to jot down your baby’s results from pediatrician appointments, keep track of vaccinations, and other details.

• Journal. When my daughter was born, I started a journal, chronicling every day with her. While it began as an everyday task, it soon became once or twice a week, and sometimes just a sentence or two noting something new she might have done that day. You can also keep an online journal right here at Babies Online. It’s fun to look back on it now and read about what she was doing in her infancy and babyhood – and to compare her notes with her little brother. Plus, someday when they are older, our kids will be given the books as their own keepsakes.

• Start a memory box. For each of our two children, I have a plastic bin where I stash any little keepsake items I want to hold onto, be it an outgrown outfit, invitations to their first parties, birthday cards, or other items. Each year I will start a new box for them, with the intention of putting together a scrapbook of their childhoods.

• Relax and try to savor the moment. Stop thinking about everything you need to do, haven’t done, or wish you had done and just enjoy the time you are having with your little one. It sounds trite, but he or she will never be this little again; enjoy it.

Finally, remember that those first few weeks will soon be past and things will get a little better. Baby (and you!) will sleep for longer stretches of time, your soreness will heal and you will begin to really appreciate your time with your new baby. And when you look back, you’ll be glad you took the time to document those crazy first few weeks – and beyond – with your little one.

My son is now almost 18 months old, and I am beginning to think about potty training. He isn’t really showing signs of being ready to begin the process yet, but I’ve decided to do some research on potty training boys.

My four previous children are girls and with DH away a lot traveling with his job, well, I’ve decided that I might need a little bit of assistance with this whole experience. Is it true that boys are more difficult to potty train the girls? I’ll let you know as soon as I do.

The real reason for this post was to encourage everyone to check out the PULL-UPS website which I just discovered. The disclaimers: I don’t really get to spend a lot of time on the internet just checking out sites, and when I do get the time, I like to make it count. I assume this is the case for most parents with young children. Because of these things, I felt it was important to share a quality site which is actually worth your time to sit down and explore.

On the website, you can find videos about potty training tips which are actually quite good. A real bonus is a free DVD on potty training which includes tips, songs and games designed to help your child breeze through the potty training experience. Even if you have a young infant, I’d suggest going online to get your free copy while supplies last. Eventually, you will be potty training your child!

One of the interesting things for me at least was a journal on the site started by Melissa Joan Hart to detail her potty training experiences with her son, Mason. My gosh I remember watching her show on Nickelodeon when I was a teenager. I guess I’m dating myself now, aren’t I?

The bottom line is that when you get a few moments to yourself while your baby is napping – check out the videos and get your free DVD. You may think that potty training is light years away, but the reality is that before you know it, your son or daughter will be ready to transition into big pants.

Babies grow and change so fast. When you least expect it, they suddenly aren?t babies anymore. Commemorate those early days of their life and beyond with these ideas.

• Take monthly (or more) photos. Take a monthly photo on the date of your child?s birthday. Consider purchasing a plain 12 month sized onesie, and dress your son or daughter in it each time and take a picture. You?ll be amazed how he or she grows into it over his or her first year.
• Share Photos. While you?re snapping away at your new arrival, it?s important to keep those photos organized. Keep a small photo album, sometimes referred to a ?brag book,? and insert the prints chronologically inside of it. Once it fills up, start a new album or move the photos to a larger album. You could also use a photo sharing Web site such as Kodak Gallery or Shutterfly to store photos and share them with friends and family members.
• Make handprints. Kits are available at most craft supply stores with clay molds and easy instructions, or you can simply take a sheet of paper and trace your baby?s hand. Each month, trace his or her hand again, use a different color of ink to form multi-colored concentric handprints on the sheet.
• Journal. A journal or diary, whether on paper or online in the form of a Web site or blog, can be a good way to record your thoughts and the details of each day with baby. Each night, jot down a few notes, such as what the day was like, what your baby did or what you did together, etc. It?ll be great fun for both you and your child to look back on!
• Start a growth chart. Even if your baby isn?t yet standing up on his or her own, you can still mark baby?s length on a yardstick or with hash marks on the wall or door frame.
• Keep a keepsake box. A keepsake box is a great resting place for hard-to-throw-out memories, such as baby and mom?s hospital bracelets, greeting cards, and the birth announcement. Toss them in a box and make sure to mark the year on it. When baby?s first birthday has arrived, start a new box for the next year.