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.

As 2008 comes to an end, we’re looking forward to all the cool stuff we have planned for next year. To fully take advantage of everything that Babies Online 2.0 will have to offer, you really should be in the “inner circle.”

The first step was, obviously, registering with Babies Online. Step two is simply being our friend.

Many of you are already play with us on Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter, but we just set up our Youtube and Flickr accounts and hope that you’ll join us there as well. And to encourage you to be our friend sooner rather than later, we’re giving two random friends some cool prizes this New Years Eve!

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Free Stuff for Youtube Friends

One lucky friend of Babies Online on Youtube will win a Flip Video Mino Camcorder!

All you need to do to be eligible is add us as to your Youtube contact list today before New Years Eve (but why wait, go ahead and do it now). While you’re there you can subscribe to our channel and be the first to know when we upload new videos, and you can also join the Babies Online Group to share your precious baby videos with other members!

We will choose one random Youtube friend on 12/31/2008 to win this awesome pint-sized camcorder. (Please note that we can only ship within the US)

Free Stuff for Flickr Friends

Oh we haven’t forgotten about our Flickr Friends! One of you will win my personal favorite point and shoot camera: Canon’s PowerShot SD1100IS, so be sure to make Babies Online your Flickr Friend today! And yes, we have a Babies Online Flickr Group too, so please be sure to join and share your pics with us!

We will choose one random Flickr friend on 12/31/2008 to win this great pocketsized camera. (Please note that we can only ship within the US)

Be sure to tell your friends to join us too! We’ll have a multi-media-momma party!

Taking your child to get their photo taken can be quite the challenge at times.? Babies can be very unpredictable, toddlers have a hard time sitting still and preschoolers can be hit or miss with their moods and cooperation.

I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter and a newborn baby boy.? I’ve experienced it all during photo shoots with our children from distractions to inconsolable meltdowns.

Here are some tricks that I have learned along the way for taking picture of baby:

Infants

Toddlers

Preschoolers

If you have more than one child and you are getting a group shot done along with individual portraits, make sure you speak up with regards to the order in which the photos will be taken.? Aim for the group shot to be taken first and then individuals in order of priority according to moods, cooperativeness and age.? Remember to remind the children to not worry about themselves and to focus on the camera, not each other.? Too often, children worry about their siblings and then get caught not looking at the camera while they are trying to help out.

You may think it’s too early to be thinking about Christmas, but really it isn’t! Do you take a family photo to send with your cards? Now is the perfect time of year to call and make an appointment with your favorite portrait studio to get your photos done.

As it gets closer to the holidays, studios get booked up. By the end of the month, it’s almost impossible to find an opening for a studio sitting before mid-December. At that point, you may not have your photos back in time before Christmas.

I like to choose a studio that books appointments because I can work around nap time and meals. I also have found that it’s nice to not have to wait to get your pictures taken. The times I’ve ‘walked in’ to the studio, I’ve had to wait at least an hour at this time of year. That’s almost impossible to keep an infant in pristine like condition for their photo session for that long! Think about it, one messy feeding or spit up and the cute dress is not so cute anymore. Plus, the long wait tends to sour the disposition of even the best natured infant.

Another bonus is that you can be more selective about the studio you choose instead of choosing the one with the opening. Which studio has the most “kid-friendly” photographers? Which studio has the best deals on the cost of their photography packages? These are important things to consider when choosing a studio.

If you are going to take a family portrait yourself, you should start thinking now about the kind of photo you want to take. Will it be a simple photo or more creative? Will you have props? Will you take the photo at a special place in your area? If you are not the creative type and need help coming up with an idea, you can do an internet search for creative Christmas photo ideas. You’re sure to find a suggestion that will work for your family.

Perhaps your photos are so wonderful that you’ve decided to make them your Christmas card. The local drugstore in our area has a photo studio computer where you can turn your family photo into a Christmas postcard or a card. We’ve used this option for the past 3 years and we’ve been very pleased with the final product. Not only do you get to create your own cards personally, you even get perfectly sized envelopes to fit your creations so you can mail them to friends and relatives.

Another great idea is the Picture-Me Book from Clark Color Labs. All you have to do is send in a picture and they make your little ones the star of their very own story book. Take advantage of an exclusive Babies Online offer to get your own Picture Book from Clark Color Labs for 50% off, just enter the coupon code: BOLPICME at checkout) Read a review here!

The United States Post Office will allow you to create your own customized stamps using your digital photos. Isn’t that a great idea? Not only can you send out customized cards, but you can create customized postage to accent those cards. To find out more about this option, check out the USPS website.

I’m wishing you a creative Christmas season!

Week 1’s winner was Preston James !
Runner-up: Meera
Runner-up: Scarlett Rose

Thanks to all the babies (and their parents) who participated in this weeks round.

From now until June 14 we will be accepting entries for June’s contests. June’s theme is MeSsY kIdS!

The contest is free so enter your babies picture today! Or just vote for your favorite. (Anyone can vote)

At the end of each preliminary week one (1) winner is chosen and will be awarded a prize package. The winners of each preliminary round (3 total), as well as two (2) runner-ups from each round are automatically entered into the Final Round. The winner of the final round is awarded the Grand Prize.

Round 1: 1st through 7th
Round 2: 8th through 14th
Round 3: 15th through 21st
Final Round: 22nd through last day of the month

Click Here for more information.

The Grand Prize winner was Shawn Thomas !

Thanks to all the babies (and their parents) who participated in this weeks round.

From now until June 14 we will be accepting entries for June’s contests. June’s theme is MeSsY kIdS!

The contest is free so enter your babies picture today! Or just vote for your favorite. (Anyone can vote)

At the end of each preliminary week one (1) winner is chosen and will be awarded a prize package. The winners of each preliminary round (3 total), as well as two (2) runner-ups from each round are automatically entered into the Final Round. The winner of the final round is awarded the Grand Prize.

Round 1: 1st through 7th
Round 2: 8th through 14th
Round 3: 15th through 21st
Final Round: 22nd through last day of the month

Click Here for more information.

The Grand Prize winner was Tanner Charles !

Thanks to all the babies (and their parents) who participated in this weeks round.

From now until May 14 we will be accepting entries for May’s contests. May’s theme is Mommy and Me!

The contest is free so enter your babies picture today! Or just vote for your favorite. (Anyone can vote)

At the end of each preliminary week one (1) winner is chosen and will be awarded a prize package. The winners of each preliminary round (3 total), as well as two (2) runner-ups from each round are automatically entered into the Final Round. The winner of the final round is awarded the Grand Prize.

Round 1: 1st through 7th
Round 2: 8th through 14th
Round 3: 15th through 21st
Final Round: 22nd through last day of the month

Click Here for more information.

When my husband and I changed our status from a ‘double income, no kids’ couple who likes to party to expectant parents, the words ‘belly shots’ took on a whole new meaning.

From 8 weeks of pregnancy on, everyone I spoke to asked if I was going to take profile photos of my belly as it grew. Logical questions, as this is a trend in pregnancy, my husband is a semi-professional photographer, and I love scrapbooking.

However, the answer is no. At least, for me it is. I’m not particularly crazy about having my picture taken under the best of circumstances. I’m already having a hard time coming to terms with the changing shape of my body, and I haven’t even begun to grow a belly!

Perhaps this will change as I begin to feel the baby growing inside of me and this pregnancy feels more ‘real,’ rather than just a few extra pounds around my waist. I’ve always struggled with my weight, however, and I sense the next six months will be a tremendous growth experience for me–in more ways than one! I’m just not comfortable with having a camera document it all.

And definitely no cameras in the delivery room! I want my husband focused on me, not the lighting or ‘best angles.’

Now, I would never pass judgment on women who choose to capture and preserve this precious time, including the delivery, with week-by-week photos. This blog post offers some great tips on documenting your pregnancy, with belly pics and more!

As for me, the ideas in this other post about must-have pregnancy photos suits me better. The author offers some unique, fun ideas that focus on the joys of pregnancy and even involve other people, rather than focusing on your expanding tummy. Of course, the prerequisite ‘belly shots’ are listed, but some of the ideas are quite creative. She even mentions one photo I wish I had thought to take: a picture of the positive pregnancy test on the morning I found out!

New moms reading this: how did you document your pregnancy? Did you take week-by-week photos of your belly as it grew? Do you wish you had?

Just print out this coupon to take advantage of the many different deals including getting a roll of film developed free of charge.

Wednesday April 9th…ONLY!

Grand Prize Winner is Zachary!
Thanks to all the babies (and their parents) who participated in this weeks round.

From now until March 14 we will be accepting entries for March’s contests. March’s theme is Sleeping Beauties!

The contest is free so enter your babies picture today! Or just vote for your favorite. (Anyone can vote)

At the end of each preliminary week one (1) winner is chosen and will be awarded a prize package. The winners of each preliminary round (3 total), as well as two (2) runner-ups from each round are automatically entered into the Final Round. The winner of the final round is awarded the Grand Prize.

Click Here for more information.

Grand Prize Winner is Stephany Marie !

Thanks to all the babies (and their parents) who participated in this weeks round.

From now until February14 we will be accepting entries for February’s contests. February’s theme is Baby in Red!

The contest is free so enter your babies picture today! Or just vote for your favorite. (Anyone can vote)

At the end of each preliminary week one (1) winner is chosen and will be awarded a prize package. The winners of each preliminary round (3 total), as well as two (2) runner-ups from each round are automatically entered into the Final Round. The winner of the final round is awarded the Grand Prize.

Click Here for more information.

Now that we all have our digital cameras, let’s start using them in fun and creative ways. Let’s use them by looking “through the looking glass”.

First, take one of your glasses out of your cupboards. Make sure it has a somewhat clear bottom. Put it up to your eye, like you are using it as a looking glass. Find something you want to take a picture of. Kids are always a good subject. I used my daughter.

You will have to play around with the settings and distance from the glass to find out which ones you like. I did my picture with no flash, but that was just me. I also held my camera right up to the opening of the glass to get the pictures I liked.

It will take several pictures to get a few very cool ones. I must have been taking pictures for at least 1/2 hour to get 3 pictures I really liked. But that is the wonderful thing about our digital cameras…you can delete the bad one.

Did you take any pictures “through the looking glass” that you liked? We want to see them! Get a free baby website and post them for your friends and family to see.

You can even enter them in our Baby Photo Contest. Show everyone just how creative and fantastic your pictures of your kids really are.

I have had my digital camera for almost a year and I wouldn’t know what to do without it. I take it everywhere with me-outside to play, to the store, to grandpa and grandma’s, running errands-I mean everywhere.

After using this camera for about a year, I do have some tips for the digital camera-totting mom.

1. As much as you don’t want to, you need to read your camera’s manual. I didn’t do that at first and it was 3 months before I found out my digital camera could take movies. Yea…I know. It is also important so you know how to use the camera correctly, the features you have at your disposal, and any additional equipment you will need to purchase later on.

2. Like I mentioned before, keep the camera with you at all times. My camera is always sitting on our hutch. It is just right there for any photo opportunities at home or if I need to leave in a hurry. You don’t want to be at McDonald’s and miss the photo opportunity of a lifetime, do you?!

3. Another important little piece of information is to take full advantage of free resources (such as the fantastic photography posts here at Babies Online). There are countless websites, blogs, and networks that can offer advice and inspiration. Another place to get some free information is your library. You can’t beat the library for free information like that.

4. One thing that I did was to have a little notebook to list all of the different kinds of pictures and shots I wanted to take. From there, I was able to start to experimenting with everything from lighting to camera settings, even to objects I looked through to take a picture. And the great thing is that if I take a awful picture, I can just delete it.

Digital Cameras are a wonderful thing with so much potential for all of us shutter moms out there. Now pick up those cameras, shoot tons of pictures, and stop back for more useful tips and a little inspiration.

Remember to enter our photo contest. Don’t miss the opportunity to show off some of your new pictures! You may even get some ideas for yourself.

Then don’t go anywhere. I am going to give you some choices of point and click cameras, including the one I use (and I am loving it).

First, let’s start with the Nikon Coolpix 5400. This point and click camera is reasonably price, starting at $165. It has 5.1 megapixels with a 4x optical zoom. Overall, users who reviewed this camera were happy with their results. One thing several did suggest was that the memory card that came with the camera wasn’t big enough. But is any memory card really big enough when it comes to pictures of our kids. I know mine never are!

The next point and click camera is the Canon PowerShot Pro Series S3 IS. This is one of the pricier cameras, starting at around $289. It has 6 megapixels with 12x stabilizing zoom. It isn’t really small enough to put in your pocket, but the reviews are pretty good. The stabilizing zoom enabled many users to make some pretty good mini-home movies. On average, the Canon PowerShot Pro got 4 1/2 stars.

Now for my digital camera. I am on a limited budget–due to 4 kids. And I needed something I could put in my pocket. So I went with the Polaroid i533 digital camera. This has 5.1 megapixels and 3x optical zoom. I bought my camera almost a year ago, and it cost me about $100. For the price, I think I got my money’s worth. I would like it if it had better optical zoom. But I look at it this way. If one of my kids accidentally breaks my camera, I am not out a ton of money. I think the Polaroid i533 is a very family friendly camera that I can grab on the go.

What kind of digital camera are you using? Which ones are on your wish list? Give us your reviews of your mom-on-the-go digital cameras.
And don’t forget to enter our Photo contest. Show us what your camera can really do!