A Valentine’s Journal to Camden
When I got married, I started a journal for mine and Nick’s kids to read as they got older. I wrote about how Nick proposed, our wedding, our first home as a family, our adventures together, and how we are as people and as a couple…How our Love makes us stronger "together" and how we can't wait to share our life with all our little ones someday. Once I got pregnant, I started writing letters to our unborn baby. I would tell him how loved he is, and how excited I am to share EVERYTHING in the world with him. I would talk about how Nick and I were feeling and what hopes and dreams we have for him. Then, once he was born, the letters grew into telling him how grateful we are to have him in our lives. This entry is one I wrote to Camden for his first Valentine's Day. I know he won't understand it now, but that's the beauty of a journal! It’s a book we will have forever as a family…And when I look back and read all my past entries, I get excited about the ones to come, who the pages will be filled up with, and what memories we will make as a family.
I hope whoever you are with and whatever you are doing this Valentine's Day, you can take a moment to write down how you feel and what you're thinking. A year or 10 years from now, when you read it, you will be so happy you did. Thanks for all the Love you continue to show my family and me! We are very appreciative of you ALL! Happy Valentine's Day!
Love, Vanessa
PS. How do YOU capture your special memories? Share with me in the comments below!
Photo by Justin Coit
Category
camden's firsts
47 comments
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I like this idea and I think it's never to late to start; think I'm starting one for my family -
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This is a nice gesture BUT wouldn't it be better if Camden read this in private when he was older? It's less special hearing it from someone else or the world reading it before he does. -
VANESSA, the pix of you & Baby Camden is just soooooooo PRECIOUS & ADORABLE, would you just look at his chubby sweet legs!! VANESSA & NICK, your HEAVENLY Camden IS heaven-sent!! I LOVE your blog!! BlessingS (SSS), Lizzie Hirschberg
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I made a Family Almanac for my sister's family, and they love it. I used 365 colored index cards (4x6) alternating colors for each month. I labeled the cards with each day of the year (January 1, January 2, January 3, etc.). I put the cards in a cute box that she keeps on her kitchen counter. The moments that happen day to day in your family are priceless. The purpose of the Family Almanac is to keep a record of these memories—not only the birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and deaths, but also the less celebrated events. The time your son scored the winning run. When your daughter lost her first baby tooth. The day you received your promotion or bought a new car. The day you got your dog or the day your son had his appendix out. All of these singular happenings make up the memories that define your family. When things like this happen, find that day's card, and write the year followed by a description of what happened. This box has become a treasure box filled with a collection of stories and events that has shaped my sister's family. It's also fun to use to reminisce by flipping through and pulling random cards to read.
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We left valentine messages for our 3 cherubs as well as chocolates of course. We also keep picture books that tell our story. I love your journal and hope you continue it with all your children. You are a fabulous mom Vanessa; Happy Valentines Day to your family!
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Vanessa I love this idea I have a contion callled polyctic ovarin syndrome so I am choosing not to have kids because it would be a high risk pregnency. However in the future I do plan on adopting and this is something I'm defently going to do
Jessica -
I love reading about your life with Camden.Hes a gorgeous baby Vanessa you and Nick are very blessed.xoxo
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What a beautiful site, Vanessa! Camden is such a Minnie me of Nick! What a gorgeous little fella! You must be over the moon in love with him! Absolutely beautiful gift you are giving him with the handwritten notes. He is one lucky little guy!
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Thank you for sharing this special entry of journal with us Vanessa! So touching to read and what a great idea to keep a journal for your child(ren) to read when they're older. -
How very beautiful. Vanessa you are an amazing person. My wish...Happy Valentine's Day Lachey family.
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Just when I thought you couldn't be any more amazing, you go and post this and prove just how great of a mother you are....not that we didn't already know that! ;) This is such a sweet idea, and I know one day he will greatly appreciate it. (btw your handwriting is beautiful) I am not married and I don't have any kids considering I'm only 20, and even though that is still a long time from now, I LOVE seeing your ideas and tips on how to be a great wife and mom. I admire you so much, and I hope that one day, when the time comes, I will be just as good as you are! I hope you, Nick, and baby Cam had a great Valentines Day together! :] -
Vanessa, Thanks for sharing, what a beautiful keepsake and tradition you have begun. I am a mother of three little ladies :) I grew up having a mother who was so wonderful at writing notes and letters to and about me at special occasions or just at random moments when I need it. So in my own way I have passed this along to our girls. At each of our daughters birthday I post on the wall in our kitchen a poem or story all about the birthday girl. As well as each special holiday, like today, I place cards on their bedroom door with individual, I love ____ because____. Encouragement, and love, build up their character and give them confidence. This is one of the best gifts we can give our children. -
I love your journal idea. My mother has told me since day 1 to WRITE STUFF DOWN! I sorta started one with my son, but then life got busy and we had a little girl. Since then I fell off the wagon! I'm lucky if I can do much else after the kids go down and I get into bed and crash. My mom was right (don't tell her that!) and you do forget all the little memories that make life super sweet. So maybe because it's Valentines Day or maybe I'm just feeling nostalgic, I have been RE-inspired to get writing again. After all, in our digital world, how simple is it to jot something in your iPhone and print later! You have a beautiful family and I love seeing other moms who are so happy and know what is important in life! Congratulations and enjoy the journey!! It goes fast, so hang on!
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Scrap book...I started making one for my baby boy when I knew I was pregnant. He is two now and I have so many memories for him. I saved hair from his first haircut, first ultrasound and first picture of us as a family :) Cherished moments for a life time :)
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That is adorable and Cam is definitely a mini Nick.
My husband and I tried for three years to have our daughter Lois who is now 7. We ended up needing treatment and was told after having her that would be our only chance of being parents.
We have done a monthly video diary since the day she was born and we all sit together watching them from her having her first bottle to riding her first bike it's an amazing way of looking back and sharing things as she will be our only child we want to remember as much as we can as they grow so quick and she is already turning into a remarkable little lady x -
aww thats so cute !! l notice that carmen look alike strong alike his dad nick but he wait to see if he grow up change a little bit maybe will look alke yours or nick lol if it never know in few year soon l read your lovely journel make me very special and little cry cuz l am so proud of you because you keep your own new journel about new life for new family in the future when he get older and will read you and dad thats important also my daughter is expecting her first child for 3 months now I will buy a new journel for her that s good ideas thats you show me make me a good idea way !! I cant wait to be gran-grannanny when l will turn 47 this july yay whoa l am so excited to looking forward to meet a new grandchild this august so l save up for flight to north korea when my daughter will be delivery her new unborn l will take some new picture for you for share with my family !! Happy Valentines day to you all family and friends load of hugs Natasha and family !! -
i also have a blog that i started when i had my daughter (she's 3 now). in january, i take each entry for the past year and turn them into a book to serve as a baby book/journal that we can keep forever. i do it for memories and also because my dad passed away when i was only 10 yrs old.. so if anything ever happens to me i want to make sure my baby has some way of knowing how much i love her.
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Love it! I've been writing to my daughter (soon turning 4 yrs now!)a letter each year on her birthday. It kind of started accidentally as I was gathering some milestones for her 1st birthday and eventually it became a letter from us to her putting down all the major events during the year, her milestones and most importantly, how we felt as a parent. We parents easily take it for granted that we will always remember everything even after many years, when the truth is that you forget so many little but yet so meaningful things. I felt the letter, like your diary, is a great way to capture those little moment, those feelings back then and those bring you back to those moments like you will re-live them. I think that is the best legacy you can give to your baby.xx
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I love the idea of a journal; an awesome way to capture all the best moments in life. Camden is too cute for words. He looks JUST like Nick!
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