One of my favorite traditions with my children is celebrating their “zero” birthday in the hospital. The baby may be oblivious to the celebration – but older siblings have an incredible amount of fun with this welcome party! I got the inspiration for this from Pinterest and put my own spin on it.
While perusing Pinterest I saw an adorable pic of a newborn and a cupcake with a zero candle – and I wanted that photo! Weeks before baby was due, I went to the bakery and found the perfect cupcake, which I placed in the freezer. When I packed my hospital bag, I also had a checklist of the last minute things that would need to be grabbed, like phone chargers and my cupcake! Let's not forget about all of the items that were left at home in time for the baby's arrival, like this good baby swing
that I saw online, as well as the essentials, like a stroller and bassinet. Then I bought a zero birthday candle and used some puffy paint and glitter to dazzle it up a bit (tutorial is coming soon!). The candle went into my hospital bag. I even got a few presents which I know is ridiculous but at least I managed to keep the costs down by looking on sites like Shoppok, and I made sure they were all useful bits and bobs. That was the end of the Pinterest idea… but not for me.
I have also read about giving sibling gifts to the big brothers/sisters, and so I decided I would not just have a cute cupcake for a photo-op, I would have a BIRTHDAY PARTY! I'd debated getting something custom ordered from personalisierte decke for the occasion, a swaddling blanket for the baby, but in the end we ran out of time. Still, everything else got organized! “The baby” brought her big sisters 3 gifts each: a movie, a game, and an activity book – all things that they could use and enjoy while visiting their new baby at the hospital, so they would not get bored! And we let each girl pick out two gifts to bring the baby, too. It took a little extra prepping, but not much! We kept the gifts in a black garbage bag in the car – so the kids would not see them, and Dad ran out to the car after baby was born and before visitors arrived, to set up for the “party!”
It made the day extra special for the kids. They got a new baby, and we celebrated with a party where everyone got to open presents and enjoy cake. The kids loved it, and I loved watching them enjoy it. It's a tradition we enjoyed with baby number 4 as well – and now that we are done having children myself, I hope to share the idea with other mommy's to be!
How did you celebrate a new baby with older siblings?
That’s awesome, I love the cupcakes. My older daughter brought a special present to the hospital on the day her little sister was born.
great way of celeb,my kiddo also brought two books one for baby and other for herself. Also, we brought her gifts along.
This is such a cute idea! Now I need to have another baby. haha. 🙂
This is such an adorable idea!! A lot more fun to include older siblings. I originally thought a “zero” birthday was on the actual due date, but this is so cute. PLUS mom has an excuse to eat cake!!
Have you linked up at #everythingkids yet this week? You should!
http://www.raisingfairiesandknights.com/everything-kids-12/
Oh, I’m so glad you DID link up to Everything Kids! I’ll be sure to tell Hil. What an adorable idea!!! I think making it a party will go a long way in getting newly big siblings to embrace their roles.
I love this idea! We gave my daughter a gift when my son was born but I think she was a but young to understand. This would be perfect to do with baby #3! IF there is a #3.
This is a fantastic way to help older siblings transition to the new baby! Cupcakes are always a good idea, no matter what the occasion. I wish I had thought about this with my kiddos.
Super fun way to help siblings adjust to a new baby. Everyone likes a party.