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hey there! I'm monica 

I pride myself on making amazing style and design accessible for everyone, regardless of location, budget, or ability! My design philosophy is rooted in authenticity + attainability - If I can do it, you can too! My work has been featured in countless publications, but I take the most pride in homeowners that have been personally inspired by my DIY ideas and have tried something in their own homes!

learn more about ME + MY BIZ

I can’t really take credit for this post… I have my awesome husband to thank for making me realize that tracking our kids’ growth is really important and special.  I don’t have to tell you that kids grow up way too fast… I’m pretty sure I see a mom a day posting something on Facebook about their kids growing up too quickly. 
Since we can’t do anything to reverse the growing process, I figure we should embrace it and take tremendous joy in watching our four children grow (even if it seems to be right before our eyes.)  So of course, we take about 1500 pictures a month of our kids (I plan to fill my retirement years with sorting through millions of jpeg files), but one other thing we started about 5 years ago is measuring our kids. We celebrate and measure on birthdays and half  birthdays! It’s amazing to see how much growth and change there can be in 6 months and, of course, our kids love that we know their 1/2 birthday and make a big deal out of it. 
So this is where Eric comes in… You may or may not know that I struggle with anything to do with routines, organization, and all that mom stuff… Enter the Outlook Reminder! Eric simply sends me a reminder that goes off on each of the kids’ measurement days and voila…semi-organized mom!
We recently moved into our new home and we weren’t sure what to do about the measurement door.  We knew we could replace the door and take it with us, but it was a weird size door, so that seemed silly.  So, we ran a big risk and just took a million pictures of it so that we could transfer the measurements to the new house.  We moved in and initially thought we’d put them on another door frame or somewhere in the master bedroom, but then I decided I wanted it to be more a part of our home.  I had a plan in my mind, and thanks to Uppercase Living was able to order numbers and make my plan a reality. 
This is in our 2nd floor hallway… We all walk past it every day and from the foyer below you can see the pictures and the M. 
I’m not usually one for artwork with phrases for living, but I saw this tree art at a store in New England and something about it really struck a chord in me.  I decided it might not be my style, but the words (I’ll stick them in a comment) are simple and something I’d like my kids to read and to see for the next years of their lives.  The M was gold from Hobby Lobby, but a little spray paint and she was perfect.  The line is just painted on the wall with leftover grey (of course) paint. 
Worked from the photo of the old door… I had close-ups too…
I love comparing the kids and how tall they were at certain ages… Kaden was about 1 1/2 inches ahead of Kenzie when they were both 5 1/2…  Of course that earned some bragging rights!

The finished product.  I’ve had the chart on the wall for months, but just finally added the measurements this week and, since I did, the kids have been checking to see if they’ve grown, and have been reading all their measurements.  I’m so very happy with the results… even if there are dirty little fingerprints all over it already!
Even though I have my growth chart already made, I scoured the web to find some of the coolest options for under $100.  Most of these are around $60 and would be something really special to add to your home.  Even if you’ve been using a door frame or closet that no one sees, maybe consider transferring it over to a place that your kids and company can enjoy!
This Miss Natalie jute cloth measurement kit is adorable.  This one is super popular, but I think the paper tags would become part of one of Kira’s next craft projects! 
This modern, bold design would make a huge impact on a room.  Oh, it also comes in 40 colors! Love it!
Add a little whimsy with a modern tree and a little bird
These simple charts have a European flair and I love how the numbers get larger as they go up…
The measurements are in Metric and English Units, which I think adds a little something… I also lean towards modern lines, so this one appeals to me. (slight confession… this one is over $100, but I liked it too much not to include it!)
Cute for a child’s room or playroom
Believe it or not, this is a DIY project.  Here’s the link and everything is free and printable. Score!
I’ll finish this rather long post with a little poem  by Dianne Loomans.  Yes, kind of unlike me, but it made me stop and think about my role as a parent because before I know it they’ll be all GROWN up…
If I had my child to raise over again
I’d build self-esteem first and the house later
I’d finger paint more and point the finger less
I would do less correcting and more connecting
I’d take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes
I would care to know less and know to care more
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites
I’d stop playing serious and seriously play
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars
I’d do more hugging and less tugging
I’d see the oak tree in the acorn more often
I would be firm less often and affirm much more
I’d model less about the love of power
And more about the power of love.
So whether you make a growth chart or not, still take a moment to stop today and just enjoy the little people God has allowed you to grow for Him. 


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The comments +

  1. That is adorable. I will totally do that in my next house! I don’t think the apartment complex would appreciate it.

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