Creative Ways to Document Your Baby's First Year

You know what they say: time flies! And, this is most certainly the case when you have had a baby. Your newborn’s first year seems to go so quickly, and you can get to the stage where it all feels like a blur because everything has happened so fast and it has been such a new experience. Because of this, it is a good idea to document your child’s first year so that you can look back on it at any point. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some creative suggestions for doing so.

Capture each month – One of the best ways to document your newborn’s first year is to capture each month with a photograph. Make sure each month has a different theme. You can get inspiration by looking at this newborn photo gallery. Once the 12 months are over, you also have a great Christmas present idea for all of your close friends and relatives. You can use the photographs to create a personalized calendar for the year ahead.

Create an infographic of your baby’s highlights – It’s a good idea to create an infographic, which captures all of your baby’s highlights throughout the first year. This can include items like the number of baby dummies that have been lost, the important dates, measurements, favorite foods, and so on. It is little things like that this that you will really come to treasure when your baby gets older.

Sew a baby clothes quilt – This is an adorable idea. We all know that babies go through clothing quicker than a fashion-conscious celebrity, and so instead of throwing away the clothing or giving it to another expecting mother, why not use it to create a quilt instead? This can be a lovely reminder of your baby’s first year.

Create a memory box – Another creative way for parents to remember your child’s first year is to create a memory box. This can include an array of different items that are significant to your child’s first year, including your favorite photo of them, your favorite newborn onesie, newspaper clippings, your baby’s first pacifier, and the hospital bracelet.

Use social media – Last but not least, using social media is not a suggestion that will appeal to everyone. Some parents are totally against it while others love nothing more than posting photographs of their baby. If you fall into the latter category, you can post funny statuses about your child and adorable photographs and you will be able to look back on this in the future.

Hopefully, you now have plenty of suggestions you can use to document your child’s first year. This is a period in your life whereby everything seems like one big blur, which is moving at a rapid pace. It’s always good to take a step back and document this period so you can treasure it forever. After all, as any parent will tell you, they grow up quickly!

Five of the Best Remote Asian Destinations for Couples

Just because I was working on the first day of the year, my thoughts were wandering around. Thus, one of my first posts was about Luxury Escapes, why not, we deserve it! If you would like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and are planning a romantic break just like me, Asia is a great choice. You can explore new cultures, mix with locals, and learn about thousands of years old traditions. If you find the right location, you might even embark on a spiritual journey, taking on yoga or one of the martial arts while you are there.

Aside from the Philippines of course, below you will find five of the best destinations in Asia you must have on your bucket list. 

North India

Instead of visiting the South and the seaside resorts reserved for Western tourists in India, you could head to the North and embark on a journey to visit different religious sites, and mix with locals. The main attractions in North are Agra, where the Taj Mahal is found, but you will also like the religious city of Varanasi, and Jaipur, or the Pink City. You can hire a local travel agent that will take you around the different sites, arrange train tickets, private transport, attraction visits, and hotels. This way, you can have a local guide in every city you visit. 

Thailand

Thailand is not only a friendly place with beaches, but also have plenty of attractions and cultural sites to visit. You can learn more about the religion and customs, try the local food, enjoy the nightlife, and stay in luxury hotels for less than in the Western world. You must visit Isaan, a much underrated region of the country, where see ancient temples, while staying off the beaten path. The main benefit of visiting the Isaan region is that you don’t have to pre-book your tours, as there are relatively few tourists stopping here. 

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is famous for its tea and great temples, but it also has several natural reserves you can visit. Check out the elephant sanctuaries, national parks, and remote areas in the mountains. You must check out the Yala National Park that is home to crocodiles and sea turtles. 

Indonesia

If you visit Indonesia, you will need to learn to appreciate the diversity of scenes and habitat on each island. The best way to explore this country is by hiring a boat and visiting different islands to explore special species and cultures. Check out boat.me for prices on private and charter tours, and you can start planning your vacation in Indonesia. 

Laos

While the Philippines is a popular destination, the less commercial country of Laos offers plenty of cultural experiences. When you plan your travels, make sure you visit The Bolaven Plateau in the South, which is pretty unknown to tourists. You can visit small towns by the waterfall, eat out cheaply, and enjoy being close to nature. If you are backpacking, you can find low cost accommodation in the Tat Lo region. 

Asia is the perfect destination for planning an unusual couples’ vacation. Make sure you check out the above destinations and choose locations that are less popular among tourists to get the feel of the culture and traditions better.

Reasons to Visit Singapore

With a landmass of just 719.9 square kilometers, Singapore also known as the “Lion City”, is rather a small country. Singapore is one of the most developed nation in Asia and in the world in terms of economy, infrastructure, education, and quality of life. Located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore has a plenty of things to offer – from its high end hotels and resorts to its very diverse culture – it surely will never run out of reasons to attract anyone.

Below are some of the reasons why I am considering to visit Singapore in the future;

1. The food experience

Singapore is home to Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice Noodle, the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. Their local foods will surely satiate anyone’s gastronomic cravings. If you want to embark in a culinary experience like no other, Singapore celebrates its annual Food Festival every July.

2. The diverse culture

Singapore’s highly developed economy attracts many people from its neighboring nations making it a melting pot of culture and tradition. From their annual Geylang bazaar to their Hindu festival of lights called the Deepavali, Singapore offers the chance to experience many different cultures in just one trip. Perhaps it is the only country where you can see Hindu temples, Buddhist temples, Christian churches, and Muslim mosques located near each other. This merging of various cultures is very evident all over the country’s food, language, and traditions.

3. The splendid art scene

The city’s art scene is as rich and diverse as its culture. It mixes modern and traditional in almost every aspect; colonial buildings are located near skyscrapers creating a wonderful contrast, public spaces are adorned with sculptures and installation arts, and its grand music halls are filled with symphonies and pop. 

Their Civic District will can turn anyone into an art connoisseur by just strolling around. Their museums and galleries are also home to top-billed exhibitions, showcasing heritage pieces and masterpieces of legends like Picasso and Dali. The city also turns into a massive art fair every January in celebration to Singapore Art Week.

4. The shopping spree

The Huffington Post ranks Singapore as the 7th best shopping destination in the world. Their traditional flea markets and high end luxury boutiques caters to everyone regardless of their budget. Its 2.2km long Orchard Road and Haji Lane is a shopping haven for those who are looking for high street clothes, luxury accessories and even hand-crafted home-wares.

5. The people

Of course, Singapore is home to one of the best people in the world. Their level of discipline and high value for education is something that deserves anyone’s admiration. Their high regards for education makes them one of the world’s highest literacy rate. Hiring a private tutor from tuition agencies in Singapore is also very common; meaning people often get their children tutors in various subjects at the same time language tutors.

6. The adventure

Singapore consists of 62 islands and islets with most of them open for anyone looking for an adventure. Visit Palau Ubin, an islet east of the mainland, to take a break from the bustling city life and experience lush rain forests, hiking trails, and natural quarries.

As small as it may seem, Singapore offers big adventures and attractions waiting to be discovered. So the next time you are planning to book a vacation somewhere, try Singapore and see the things mentioned above for yourself. The roar of the Lion City calls!