First Born Mom and Baby reading a book together. Photo courtesy First Born

A toddler choosing the perfect wooden toy donated by the Albuquerque Woodworkers Association. Photo Courtesy First Born

First Born Dad and twins exploring light. Photo Courtesy First Born

FIRST BORN NEWS RELEASE

On Saturday, Dec. 11, The First Born Program of Los Alamos held a Winter Holiday Celebration of Lights. At the open house style event, Home Visitors distributed baby gifts for member families. Each of the 75 families received a beautiful handcrafted wooden toy and a previously loved book. The babies and toddlers were delighted to choose which book and toy to take home. One parent exclaimed, “This is wonderful! It feels like our family got a big hug from the community. We will treasure these gifts.”

Families rotated through activities set up around the Small Business Center including light exploration, decorating cookies baked by Borrow a Baker, reading in the storybook corner and playing in the First Born Program’s new community space. Home Visitor, Susan Williams commented, “We set up simple, developmentally appropriate activities that parents can easily do at home with their babies.” Some of the babies (and their parents) rarely get to socialize with other families due to the pandemic. A safe, low-key event provided much needed connections for clients of all ages.

The Albuquerque Woodworkers Association created and donated the wooden toys, while Mesa Public Library Friends of the Library Bookstore provided the board books. The First Born Program is grateful for the generous donations. 

In the New Year, there are plans for other classes and activities including Baby Massage, Baby Wearing, Circle of Security, social events and Infant First Aid and CPR as well as a collaboration with Yoga with Jacci for Prenatal Yoga and Baby and Me Yoga classes. 

The First Born Program of Los Alamos is a free and voluntary home visiting program for all first time families in Los Alamos. The program is relationship‐centered and curriculum‐based. Families who participate receive support, information about pregnancy, early childhood development, health, nutrition and safety and learn fun activities to help build brain development and learning. Through weekly home visits, families identify personal goals, recognize challenges and opportunities for growth and build a healthy, loving, playful relationship with their child. For more information, please visit www.firstbornla.org or email welcome@firstbornla.org.