Something sentimental for Mr. Cynical Jr.

[Mr. Cynical]

Although I am typically a bit reserved, I have it in my head to do something sentimental for the impending brith of my boy.

I was thinking about getting a bottle of fine wine on the day he is born, and saving it until he comes of age, then sitting down and drinking it with him. The problem with that is I don't know which wines age well. (any ideas?)

In essence, I'm looking for your opinions on good, sentimental stuff for this kid, regardless of how long it takes for it to come to closure. Heck, I'm talking about somewhere between 18 and 21 years on the wine. I want to do something that will just hit him so hard that he does the same thing for his kids in the future, to show them how much he loves them, too.

All of your opinions are greatly appreciated

B

[Kiki]

When my kids were born I wrote a letter to them and dated the letters so they don't open them until they're 18 years old. Just write whatever comes to mind, how you feel about the child, your hopes and dreams for them, your expectations, how they've changed your life, your fears for them, etc., etc.

I keep my baby books and photo albums updated as much as I possibly can too. I have a camcorder but I rarely videotape. I really should videotape more because kids change so quickly. My daughter is almost 3 and my son will be 9 months old tomorrow... it seems like just yesterday that my daughter came home from the hospital. It goes by quick!

The wine is a good idea but I don't know much about wine... except how to drink it!

Congratulations on your son!

[billehunt]

Port is a wine that's good after 20 or even 50 years.

Get several newspapers and magazines from the day he was born. It'll be interesting for him in 20 years.

Congratulations!

[kunilou]

Photo album.

Mom, Dad, the Grandparents, the pets, the newspaper headline from the day he was born, everything!

You may not want to videotape, though. Something tells me it will be as hard to find a VCR in 20 years as it is to find an 8-track player today.

[voguevixen]

It probably seems corny, but one of the favorite things in my mom put in my baby book was the number one song on the day I was born. For some reason I always feel a special attachment to the song "Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog" and whenever I hear it it brings a little smile to my face. Maybe you could get a copy of Billboard or something when he's born and make him a tape or CD of the top 10 to play, so he can get a feel for the flavor of the time. (Although considering today's music, maybe it would just give him nightmares, lol.)

[Mr. Cynical]

Hee hee!

No kidding! I'd hate to have him remembering N' Sync fondly in his later years!

[Medea's Child]

I agree with getting as much about the media together and recorded. Including your tastes. What is your favorite movie/T.V show/song to come out this year? Write it all down. The whole story of his natal period and birth of you can. (Its pretty emotional which can be hard to write down for some) Fashion, haircuts, slang words, political issues. Make a yearbook of your family's life when he was included. My parents did a little bit (They watched MASH)and everything that they can remember or have saved facinates me when I can go through it. The more and more personal the better. World wide stuff is good, but be sure to record your views of it and how it affects your family.

Sorry I can't help you on the wine, its a great idea though.