Put Me In the Story: Why a Baby Needs a Mommy Personalized Photo Book

Why a Needs a

M a de Sp e c i a l For :

M a de Sp e c i a l B y:

Claire

Dad

Gregory E. Lang

Claire

You are the best mom! We love you!

Dad

O ther b ook s by Gregor y E . L ang: why a s on ne e ds a mom why a s on ne e ds a dad why a daug hter ne e ds a mom why a daug hter ne e ds a dad why i love g r a ndpa why i love g r a nd ma why i chos e you why i love you why my hea r t st i l l s k ips a beat why i ne e d you why we a re a fa m i ly why we a re f r ie nds good luc k , g r aduate brot her s a nd sister s si mple ac t s love sig ns l i fe maps t h a n k you , mom t h a n k you , dad be c aus e you a re my daug hter be c aus e you a re my s on

Gregory E. Lang

M ade Spe c ia l For :

Claire

M ade S pe c ia l B y :

Dad

TO MY MOM —GREG

TO MY SWEET LITTLE DOROTHY —JANET

Copyright © 2013 by Gregory E. Lang Cover and internal design © 2013 by Sourcebooks, Inc. Cover image © Janet Lankford–Moran Internal placeholder photographs by Gregory E. Lang and Janet Lankford–Moran Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered trademarks of Sourcebooks, Inc. Put Me In the Story is a trademark of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from its publisher, Sourcebooks, Inc. Published by Put Me In the Story, a publication of Sourcebooks, Inc. P.O. Box 4410, Naperville, Illinois 60567–4410 (630) 961–3900 Fax: (630) 961–2168 www.putmeinthestory.com First published by Cumberland House, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. Printed and bound in the United States of America LSI 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

· INT RODUC T ION ·

I

believe that somewhere

there are parents lying awake at night, as my child’s mother and I once did, wondering what to do for their beloved baby. I hope that by sharing a bit about what I have learned, that giving a child a loving, supportive start in life, that taking care of a few basic, universal needs, those parents will find confidence in their abilities, comfort in their successes, and strength with each life lesson shared with their child.

With this book I hope to give new parents, and especially moms, most often the primary caregiver, nurturer, and teacher, a glimpse of what they should know about and do for their young children. When you put this book down, I hope you feel encouraged and appreciated for all you have done and have yet to do taking care of your own precious baby.

—Greg

to know that the most comforting voice in the world to me is yours.

to set an example for me as I grow up.

to consider Grandma’s advice.

After all, she has done this before.

to never stop loving me.

to make sure Santa Claus knows about me.

to learn my language until I can speak yours.

to encourage me when I try to do new things.

to be patient with me when I am frustrated.

to introduce me to our family traditions.

to always be ready to catch me if I fall.

to stimulate my mind. I want to be as smart as you are.

to play peek-a-boo with me.

to take me outside and explore the world with me.

to remember that sometimes the simple pleasures are the most fun.

to believe that you cannot spoil me too much.

to comfort me when I am afraid.

to kiss me often.

to make time to play with me every day.

to teach me all that you know.

to tuck me in with a kiss at night.

to make sure to save some time for yourself.

to remember that what I want to hear most is “I love you.�

to believe that one day I will be able to thank you for all that you have done for me.

because without you I don’t know what I’d do.

No one is needed quite as much as Mommy.

Her voice is the soothing sound in the middle of the night, her hand gives the tender touch that wipes away a tear, and her lips lay the gentle kiss on her baby’s sleeping head.

A mother’s love for her baby is both endless and timeless, forever creating a bond unlike any other.