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My daughter-in-law’s mother, Norma, and I sat side-by-side at the table after the baby shower luncheon and watched Chris open gifts for our expected twin grandsons. Norma leaned toward my ear and whispered, “We live so far away. How will these babies ever know Mike and me?” Norma and Mike live in Chicago, their daughter in Evergreen, Colorado.

Our twin granddaughters, Lina and Leilani, have the same dilemma. Their other grandparents live in New Zealand. The girls miss them and want to show they aren’t forgotten. What can they do?
Several years ago, our son called. During the conversation he mentioned that our 2-year-old grandson loved to watch the computer screen saver. “Are there any pictures of us?” I asked.

“Yes, but he doesn’t know who you are.”

Each of the above situations can be solved rather inexpensively with a “Look Who Loves You” book. In the case of my grandson, I made “Matthew, Look Who Loves You” and gave it to him. We read it together. Several months later we arrived tired from an eight-hour drive. We’d no sooner walked into the room than he brought me the book. “Read it to me, Nana.”

“It’s his favorite,” my son commented.

Lina and Leilani provided assurance of their love for their distant grandparents with a book titled, “Nana and Papa, Look Who Loves You.” For Norma, I suggested she make the book as I did for Matthew.
This kind of memoir provides an activity in which the whole family can participate. Parents and grandparents can make books for their children and grandchildren. Children make them for parents and grandparents. A “Look Who Loves You” book makes a perfect baby shower gift.

The creations from this family activity provide love for each person who receives the finished product. Children learn the faces of all relatives, even if they only see them occasionally. Babies learn relatives’ names early as well as receive conformation of everyone’s love. Grandparents can update the pictures as children grow. Each beneficiary’s book will definitely become their favorite because love pours from family members as each page is turned.  

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Create a lasting treasure

Recipients will cherish the books whether the relatives live nearby or far away. Follow the directions below and help your family create a loving gift that will be treasured for years to come.   

Materials:
One 5” x 7” or any desired size scrapbook or photo album
Pictures of all relatives and immediate family members
Cardstock or scrapbooking paper
Photo paper
Scissors
Glue if using a scrapbook
Computer
Scanner
Printer

Directions:
Purchase a photo album or scrapbook. I chose a photo album with plastic sleeves for holding pictures. A scrapbook can work just as well.

Scan individual images of those you wish to include in the book. Choose those pictures that will mean something to the receiver. Make sure to size them equally then print onto photo paper. Four-by-six and five-by-seven work well. Cut them out.

In your word processor, type centered names of the relatives in all caps, one per page as follows: “Nana loves you; Papa loves you; Auntie and Uncle Whomever love you,” and so on. Print the pages on cardstock. Cut them to a size that will fit the plastic sleeves or scrapbook.

Format the book to look like a picture book. Include a title page with the byline of the creator, such as “Matthew, Look Who Loves You by Linda L. Osmundson” centered on the first page.

Place a picture on page two and the explanation on page three, i.e. a picture of grandma and “Grandma Loves You.” Follow through with pictures and names of the rest of the family. Then, use your creativity and decorate the pages.