Special Journals & Medical Record Books

My dear friend Louise D. gave me two pieces of advice when my little one was being expected last spring. She, in all the wonderful wisdom of a mother, explained how she keeps record of two important areas for her family.

The first is a journal (she journals on the computer) containing funny, heart touching, insane and awesome moments she wants to remember concerning her daughter. This includes thoughts, prayers, dreams and hopes as well. What a treasure that will be for her daughter someday. I have begun this too, doing so for both my kiddos in cute little journal books I found at the Dollar Store.

The second wise thing Louise does is keep a medical record book for each member of the family. This details the sicknesses and appointments, and helps keep track of the insurance insanity (they are self employed). So, with a new member in my family I decided to do the same.

So, I took this mess and sorted the medical (including dental and vision) info for each person. Does the black and white photo help to reveal the dreary, looming mess that it was? 

Then I purchased 3-ring binders with clear front pockets.

Next I added the notes (yes, the pediatrician writes (legible) notes for us during our visit - we love him!) and documents  in chronological order with the oldest towards the back.

Then I had fun. I loooove to create documents and forms ... call me crazy! So, I designed these sheets to document the seasonal colds and tummy upsets along with doctor appointments.

Next, I am going to add sheets to keep the details at hand for any special procedures or therapy sessions. Hoping there are none to document! Also, I will be documenting in detail the health history of our families. This is one thing I can never correctly recall and would like to have a sheet that can be copied and simply handed to the doctor instead of trying to cram it onto 5 tiny lines on their form.

Finally, I designed the front cover and spine, keeping it simple. I specifically chose to keep the names very small, so as not to be easily read by other patients in a doctor's office.

Now all those office visit papers, telephone calls to the doc about the bug of the season and insurance receipts have a home. It is very easy to take a few moments and update the sheets with thoughts and results from a sickness or appointment, and if Mr. G has to take one of the kiddos to the doctor for any reason, this makes it so easy.