Skipping Rocks: Video Monitors... To Have or Not To Have

When we were registering for baby items for the nursery, we were looking at sound monitors that would enable us to hear CB cry while he was in his crib. Hubby was open to getting a monitor, since our house can mask noises when you're on opposite floors.

But they make multiple different kinds of monitors, including video monitors where you can see and hear your child while he or she sleeps. So which one to get? Well, Hubby wasn't too excited about getting a video monitor. I mean, really, who needs to see the child, when you should be able to hear if something's going wrong, right? At least, that's what Hubby thought.

Well, we had a few close friends that were having babies around the same time as us, and were getting all their registry items before us. As we were helping some friends unpack some of their new baby loot, Hubby helped his buddy set up their new video monitor. And Hubby was sold. What a cool gadget! Who cares if we really don't NEED the video monitor, it's just cool that we can have a fun toy to play with. So we got one. And we really have loved having it.

Now, we don't sit by the monitor, with our ear real close to it to make sure CB's breathing. In fact, most often it's sitting in the other room where we left it. But it's nice that when we're outside landscaping, or downstairs watching a movie, we can keep an eye on the kid without having to open up his bedroom door to see if he's asleep (yes, we have one of those rare babies that will hang out in his crib without crying).

One of the best features of our video monitor? It captures pictures. So as we see CB doing something cute or silly, we can take a picture of him in his crib.

The other day I was going through these photos and it occurred to me how fast our little man has grown up over the past 6 months. From being swaddled as a newborn, to slowly being weaned from his swaddle, to becoming more interactive in his crib - the growth is amazing to see.