body/object/code

Online Baby Book

• April 13th, 2005

http://www.babysstory.com/
http://www.babysstory.com/Journal.asp

What - Website that has the ability to create an online baby book among other things. Run by Leaning Post Productions. (http://www.leaningpost.com/ “Software for art education, website design & development, and works of art.”)
Why - Looking at TYPES of journals. Baby book has some good metaphors, intimacy with subject, gradual evolution…
Differences - To cutesy of an idea. A LOT of kick back when I brought it up as a metaphor, which I thought was interesting in and of itself.

You can influence a kid… but can you “edit” it, change it as it grows? More about pure documentation than the experimental aspect.

This version of a baby book kind it is weak because it doesn’t have the warmth and patterns and tactile bookness. It fails in that regard. A related problem is that the questions are too general, which makes it more potentially personal, but the openness means that the user really does need to already know HTML to get any kind of pretty formatting, that it would definitely need to be appropriately personal… and if I know HTML why am I using this form?

Ideas - A lot of information, structure ideas. In some contexts the vague leading questions would actually be quite useful. Journal’s front page layout could be a good style for a short cuts page.

Excerpts & Notes

Categories of pages and examples of

- baby’s first year -

birth announcement - Write a birth announcement. Include the time, date, month, and year of birth and the baby’s weight, length, hair color and eye color. You may also want to include the sign of the Zodiac (Aquarius, Aries, etc.) with a birthday horoscope and/or the Chinese zodiacal birth year (Dragon, Snake, etc.) with predictions.

homecoming - Writing tip:  What day and date did the baby come home from the hospital?  If you adopted your baby, tell about your experience. Describe where you live?  Who was at home when you arrived?  What mail and phone calls have you received? How is the nursery decorated?

first day - Writing tip:  When did labor begin?  How long did it last?  What time was the baby born?  Describe the baby and who he or she looks like.  Who was present at the delivery?  What was mom’s reaction and what was dad’s reaction?

news of the day - Writing tip:  Describe the important local, national, and international news of the day your baby was born.  What was the weather like?  What was new in sports?  Describe radio and television shows, movies, music, theater productions and art exhibits.  What clothing was in fashion?

first year growth and development
important firsts
baby’s favorites
feeding and sleeping
learning to talk
first year holidays and vacations
first birthday

- parents -

mom’s diary
dad’s diary

choosing a name - Writing tip: What name did you choose and why?  What does the name mean and what nationality is it?  Is the baby named after anyone special?  What are possible nick names?  What other names did you consider?

cards and gifts
thank you
babysitter check list

- family -

family tree
about mom
about dad
about mom’s parents
about dad’s parents

- health -

medical record
doctor visits
dental record
growth chart
family medical history

- holidays -

new year
valentines day
easter
national
halloween
thanksgiving
hanukkah
christmas
kwanzaa

- early learning -

discovering - Writing tip: What kinds of toys, videos, sounds, music, and different environme nts have stimulated your baby’s early learning? Describe any reactions and change

pre-school
kindergarten
religious beliefs

- age 2 to 6 -

second year
second year growth and development - What are your observations?

Your 13th to 14th month old will probably. . .
indicate wishes by sound and gesture, say 3 to 6 words including names, roll a ball in participant games, and walk alone quite well.
Your 15 to 18 month old will probably. . .
show and offer toys, walk backwards, spontaneously scribble, fed self with spoon, build a three block tower, and name familiar objects.
Your 19 to 24 month old will probably. . .
kick a ball forward, throw a ball overhead, put 3 words together, listen to stories, look at pictures, turn pages by self, handle a spoon well, make a 6 block tower, run well, open a simple door, begin to wash/dry hands, and help with simple tasks.

second birthday
second year holidays and vacations
third year
third year growth and development
third birthday
third year holidays and vacations

fourth year - Writing tip: What are your child’s favorite toys, pets, books, clothes, excursions, foods, and places.  What is she or he curious about, afraid of, and most proud of?  What challenges have been overcome?  Describe any special interests.  In what form has imagination and creativity been expressed?  Write about playmates and friends.

fourth year growth and development

fourth birthday - Writing tip: How did you celebrate? Describe the party location, decorations, cake, and other food served. Who were the guests and what gifts were received?

fourth year holidays and vacations - Describe your holidays and vacations together. Where did you go and what did you see? Include special activities and new experiences.

fifth year
fifth year growth and development
fifth birthday
fifth year holidays and vacations
sixth year
sixth year growth and development
sixth birthday
sixth year holidays and vacations

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