Once the newborn smiles fade, it's time to build your toddler memory book... before those wonderfully tottering ages of two to five swim past in a haze!

Especially when you have a young child, baby photo scrapbooks help you remember special moments and first steps. You can fill them with bits and pieces about your little one, including small mementos and memories of your favorite moments. And if you have lots of spare time, putting together your toddler scrapbook manually can be rewarding.

The problem? Many moms collect tidbits here and there, take photos... but never get their toddler memory book assembled. Those tidbits just sit gathering dust. Most Moms today are insanely busy, after all! If you don't have the time to put a book together by yourself, a printed album is a quick way to enjoy and share favorite images.

What to Include in Your Toddler's Photo Memory Book

In most children's lives these days, there is a camera documenting their every expression... but a toddler's album isn't necessarily limitless. What kinds of pictures you include will depend on the kind of book you wish to create.

Using the Memories You Love Most. A book of your favorite memories might include pictures of the child captured in sentimental locations or with special family members, or special moments in your child's growing life. Also be sure to record:

• Your toddler with his/her favorite blanket, stuffed animal, etc.
• The full spectrum of his/her personality (not just the happy-go-lucky moments!)
• Your toddler's day to day life-- from feeding to bath time (good for embarrassing your kiddo when he's grown!)
• Your toddler's room, crib, bed, etc.

These are the things that will really change as your child grows-- and soon! If you don't record them in your toddler memory book, many of today's favorite memories could slowly be lost...

Toddler Memory Book Layouts, Themes, and Ideas

The layout for your digital toddler scrapbook can be a breeze using toddler templates found on many of the book creation websites. When building your toddler's baby book, thinking about a theme first will really help with the flow of the layout.

Some good ideas for themes to use when arranging your toddler memory book are:

• ABC's of "Your Child's Name"-- with a moment, memory or favorite thing for each letter
• Chronological Toddler Memory Book ("A Year in the Life Of" or "A Year of Being Two")
• An "Infant to Toddler" Book
• A "Photo a Day" Baby Memory Book (covering a certain period of time)
• Seasons of "Your Child's Name" -- a seasonal photo book

Summing up a child in one photo album is impossible, but don't let that stop you from including pictures of favorite foods, best toys, great costumes for holidays or even bedtime routines.

Online photo book websites like Picaboo and Shutterfly provide prepared baby memory book templates with space to list major milestones like getting dressed, tying shoes or first days at preschool. And just in case you need to flesh out the moment a bit, many photo book publishers also provide links to professional images to mix in with your own pictures to complete the story.

Click here to read our (and our visitors') photo book reviews to help choose the best printer for your toddler photo book.

The Look and Feel of Your Memory Book. Add seasonal backgrounds or tropical templates as the backdrop for the wild adventure of being a toddler, but keep in mind that you are not limited to kids colors or designs. Template layouts will vary and you will benefit from using both close up photos and wide angle pictures for a more balanced look.

Enliven Your Memory Book with... Words!

Your toddler memory book would be incomplete without the words to fill in the stories behind the pictures. If putting together a handmade toddler memory book, be sure to leave room for journaling in your paper albums. Making a digital photo memory book for your toddler? You can add custom text boxes and type up your experiences quickly in digital form.

Captions, font and letter size can be adjusted in the memory book software if you want to emphasize your toddler's personality or make reading a breeze for grandparents and children. Some words and stories to include along with your favorite photos are:

• Comments by mom and dad-- these can really bring a toddler book to life!
• Stories about funny things kids say
• Funny personality quirks
• The names of your child's toddler playmates
• Favorite foods or games

And don't feel obligated to stick with writing your own words. Did Grandma and Grandpa write a nice letter to your toddler? Scan it into your computer and upload it onto your toddler memory book. Do the same with favorite drawings, tickets to fun events you shared... even the label from your tot's favorite snack!

Hint: Not sure what to include? Borrow an idea or two from someone else! Shutterfly.com has a gallery of other parents' photo books online. Just type "toddler" in the search box and flip through other toddler memory books online for ideas!

Sharing Your Memory Book With Your Toddler

If your memory book is meant to be shared with your child, you might want to consider adding a playful flair. For example, how about an album that you turn into a personalized alphabet book through a photo book publisher. Some printers even offer laminated board pages and durable bindings.

Also, take a peek at some of the many background images available online for toddler photo books. Clipart of children's toys is easy to find and incorporate into any digital scrapbook, but using the child's own recognizable toys works better. Also never underestimate the power of a journaling box with Mom or Dad's encouraging words.

Hint: some parents use a photo memory book as part of teaching reading and object recognition. The combination of words and pictures makes a strong educational tool

Online tools and photo book publishers make creating a toddler memory book quick and effortless , but the shared moments and memories will last a lifetime!

Go from Toddler Memory Book Ideas, Themes, and Layouts to MYOPB's Baby Book Central.