A Gift Guide Inspired by As You Grew: Thoughtful Finds for Newborns and New Moms
Keepsake gifts for baby.
Precious gifts for precious littles. Inspired by 'As You Grew', a children's book about keepsake mementos from baby's first year
Whether it’s the holidays, a newborn celebration, or simply because those tiny treasures are irresistible, I’m so excited to unveil a curated collection of favorite items that inspired As You Grew. From the very beginning, when I mapped out the launch plans for my book, I knew a gift guide would be part of the journey—and that moment is finally here!
Remember those “teeny-tiny avocado pajamas”? They’re Carter’s Simple Joy, and yes, you can snag them on Amazon! I promise, no gatekeeping these adorable finds—everyone deserves a little extra sweetness.
With gift-giving season upon us, here’s a roundup of special items that helped shape the heart of the book. These are little mementos that any new mom and her bundle of joy will love now and cherish for years to come. And because I’m a big fan of themed gifts, the perfect pairing for any of these picks is, of course, a copy of As You Grew.
Happy shopping to all the mamas, aunties, mimis, and friends out there! May your gifts bring joy and lasting memories.
1) As You Grew by Dana Moneymaker 2) Simple Joys by Carter’s Unisex Mint/Avocado Pajamas 3) Organic Swaddle Blanket & Hat Set 4) cuddle+kind Elliott the Fawn 5) Zara Home Baby Brush & Comb Set 6) Little Planet Organic Cotton Sweater Knit Overalls in Heather Grey 7) The Blueberry Hill Wreath Sweater 8) Maileg Baby Mouse in Carry Cot 9) pehr Flannel Smocked One-Piece 10) Zara Gingham Romper 11) Zara Muslin Tulip Baby Bib 12) Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia Fabric Storage Box with Faux Leather Accent Cream 13) Gooselings Personalized Toiletry Pouch 14) Mark & Graham Silver Baby Rattle 15) etsy Hand Embroidered Baby Name Sweater 16) crate&kids Natural Wooden Truck 17) crate&kids organic cotton gauze bib 18) H&M baby sneakers 19) The Blueberry Hill Saint Nicholas Knit Hat 20) Zara Ruffle Knit Cardigan 21) Zara Knitted Star and Reindeer Romper 22) Jellycat Teddy Bear 23) Zara Tree Jacquard Knit Sweater 24) Colored Organic Forest Knit Hat 25) Rylee + Cru Baby Flannel Holiday Pajamas
Looking for more ideas and baby gift inspiration? I’ll keep my As You Grew Gift Guide Pinterest Board updated throughout the year with favorite finds - there’s already more to discover there!
Former Beauty Exec Finds Balance, Herself by Writing a Children’s Book
After spending 15+ years building a career in beauty, achieving "success" and a fancy LinkedIn title, the transition to first-time motherhood was a tough one. But I quickly discovered that my favorite time during those early newborn days was when I was reading to my baby. I felt peace, contentment, and confidence in those moments -- like I was doing something right. It was during story time that I realized something that I had long forgotten; that somewhere along the way I had traded a childhood dream - to become a writer - with career aspirations of a young twenty-something girl who wanted to make a name for herself in the city, and play with makeup for her job.
While reading to my son every day on maternity leave, the seed of my own book idea started to grow. Written during nap times and middle-of-the-night feeds, As You Grew was inspired by my own experience with my son. It shares the precious, fleeting details of a mother and child’s first year, honoring all of the well-worn and well-loved items that come along on their journey -- and the memory box that she keeps to hold all those special items for safekeeping as he grows out of them.
Hi, it’s me, the Former Beauty Exec. And, here we are. ‘Pub Day’ for As You Grew. My book is officially out in the world which means I’m officially a published author. The fulfillment of a childhood dream, 30-odd years in the making. Three years ago this week, I went on maternity leave, leaving an 8-year stint and dream job as Vice President Global Retail Experience at Estee Lauder to fulfill another dream: becoming a mom. I just didn't count on how hard that transition would be. I was used to pulling all-nighters and never-ceasing demands all hours of the day. But those "emergencies" were the "beauty" kind (read as: not actual emergencies at all), not the "baby" kind (life comes at you fast when baby poop threatens a pristine white couch and you quickly realize your son has a milk protein allergy). Beauty emergencies I had the confidence and "gray hair" (hidden with balayage) experience to handle. One month in on the Mom job and, like many moms before me, I was increasingly convinced that I was going to get fired. If that were possible.
After spending 15+ years building a career in beauty, achieving "success" and a fancy LinkedIn title, the transition to first-time motherhood was a tough one. And when I decided to leave Estee Lauder to pursue a much more flexible work-remote job, that divide between my former self and my new self got even wider. I missed the creativity of writing major marketing campaigns, designing global retail events, launching new products. I missed the feeling of being accomplished and recognized - professionally - by my peers. I missed being able to form fully coherent sentences and the appearance of having a good night's sleep. Concealer and eye cream (gobs of it) were my BFF's in 2022.
While I enjoyed (almost) every aspect of my maternity leave, and ultimately made the decision to change my career in favor of more time with my son, I admit that my main inner dialogue with myself was always, "but what are you going to say at a cocktail party? "Hi, I'm Dana, and I used to have this high-powered career in beauty. Yes, it was a job so many women would kill for, and yes, I decided to step away to spend more time with my son. I have a 9-5 that is pretty unremarkable, but I'm happy and I get to go to music class and swim class and all the classes!" Jokes on me, by the way, I haven't gone to one cocktail party in the last 3 years. I also realize many women would kill for the work life balance situation that I currently find myself in. I’m very lucky.
Anyway, aside for reasons mentioned above, I can tell you leaving Estee Lauder was the best decision I ever made and here's why: I discovered rather quickly that my favorite time during those early newborn days was when I was reading to my baby. I felt peace, contentment, and confidence in those moments -- like I was doing *something* right. It was during story time that I realized something that I had long forgotten; that somewhere along the way I had traded a childhood dream - to become a writer - with career aspirations of a young twenty-something girl who wanted to make a name for herself in the city, and play with makeup for her job.
While reading to my son every day on maternity leave, the seed of my own book idea started to grow. Written during nap times and middle-of-the-night feeds, As You Grew was inspired by my own experience with my son. It shares the precious, fleeting details of a mother and child’s first year, honoring all of the well-worn and well-loved items that come along on their journey -- and the memory box that she keeps to hold all those special items for safekeeping as he grows out of them.
As You Grew officially launches just in time for Mother's Day, available on Amazon, Target, Bookshop, and wherever books are sold. It feels appropriate that the launch also coincides with my son's birthday. As I've begun to share the on social media, two things started to happen: I started to feel accomplished, creative and driven again. And I started to hear congratulations from former colleagues at every point in my beauty career, letting me know that they pre-ordered a book. That feels really beautiful.