DIY Oversized Ruler Growth Chart

First, let's start with a quick update. Haddie is rotten. Nothing new. She continues to grow, learn, and amaze me each day. The saying that "the days are long, but the years go quick, " could not be more true. Life is good lately. Summer is here. New relationships help the heart and the sanity. A fellow named Chris is responsible for that. And we can't forget Haddie's new best friend, Bristol, the golden retriever. I see a happy future in the works!

Alright. You know I love a great DIY! I love it even more when it's been forgotten on the to-do list and someone makes it happen. I had mentioned while cruising around Pinterest that I loved this project, and Chris took note. Haddie (and Chris) got me a board for Mother's Day. :)

I love the idea of this growth chart. It is charming enough for a kid's room, but sophisticated enough to display in the living area of the house. (Which is were mine is located). Plus, it is portable! We will not be living in our current location within a few years, and I don't want to lose those growth markings that would typically be on the door frame. And if you are stationed in your home permanently, then no worries about painting over during touch up or a remodel.

Before I got started, I chose a design and style that I liked. Some go for what looks like an actual giant ruler and some use colorful paint and decals to decorate the board. You can find many variations on Pinterest. I combined several components that I liked and created my own. I knew I wanted a rustic/distressed look, but I wanted a white surface instead of stained wood for better visibility on the markings. You will also need to decide how to number the measurement markings. Some different ideas include paint (my choice), vinyl, mailbox numbers, etc.

Based on my design plan, my supply list included:
a board (1″x8″x6′)
dark walnut wood stain
white paint
a multi-grit sandpaper pack
paint for measurement marks and numbers
number stencils
various sized paint brushes

I am the world's step by step picture taker, but the process is pretty easy. First, sand the board to make sure it is nice and smooth. I made sure all of the dust was blown away and stained the board using an old burp cloth by following the direction on the stain can. I did two coats because I wanted the rich color to come through for the distressed look. I let it dry overnight.

Next, I did one coat of white paint. I covered the entire board, but I didn't obsess over brush marks and complete coverage because I was going for a worn look. Because of the blistering heat and a single layer, the paint was drying fairly quickly. I decided to keep working. Using sandpaper, I began distressing the board. I focused on the edges and sides. Going with grain, I also chose a few interior places on the board. I went back and forth between sandpaper grit numbers. I sanded just enough so that the layer of paint was coming off and the stain could peek through. I think it is a good idea to work a little and then step back, so that you don't get too carried away.

Next, I made my measurement marks by laying the measuring tape down beside the edge of the board and placing a pencil mark for each inch. I used different sized marks for the inch, 6 inch and 12 inch measurements. Don't forget to leave off some room for the bottom. I began marking off my board at 9 inches because I wanted my board to have an 8 inch clearance from the floor. After all the pencil marks were made, I went back over the pencil with a dark brown paint. Once again, I wasn't going for perfection.

Next, I chose and downloaded a free font from DaFont. I created a word document and entered numbers one through six. I increased the size until my numbers were about six inches tall. Then I printed the document and cut out the numbers to make stencils. I like to think that may spatial awareness skills are pretty good, so I just eyeballed the placement of the numbers on the board. After some adjusting, I traced the numbers using pencil. Once the stencils were traced and removed, I painted in the numbers using the dark brown paint.

After the numbers were dry, I went back over board with sandpaper a few more times to give the measurement marks and numbers a worn look, as well. Then, I nailed a hanging bracket to the back and BOOM. I have yet to put any marks on the board. My plan is to measure her every six months. I am going to double check her measurements with the pediatrician at her next checkup before they are written in stone.

Not only are these great for your own home, but this would also be a great baby shower gift :) Thanks for stopping by!

Oh, Baby! : Nosefrida and Twilight Ladybug

Two blog posts in a month?! This could only mean one thing: I have a million other things I should be doing right now. Seriously. My house is upside down and I have no excuse. Thanks to the two inches of snow that shutdown the South, I have been at home since Tuesday afternoon. My house should be in pristine condition. Well, as pristine as living with a toddler can get. It is my honest opinion that a toddler deposit is much more necessary than a pet deposit for renters and tenants.

I decided to share/review my two favorite baby items that I am still using to this day. If you are expecting a little one or know someone who is, these are two great gifts that may have been left off the registry list. Neither were on mine! These are my opinions, but I know that I love to research anything before I buy it. Especially, when it comes to Haddie.

Nosefrida

First, we have the Nosefrida. When Haddie was about three months old, she developed a stuffy nose. And honestly, it has never left. She is genetically cursed with nasal/sinus/allergy issues, I am afraid. Being the crazy new mom, we were at the pediatrician's office every other week for answers. She couldn't breathe and had a horrible time with drainage. Seeing a tiny little one struggle so much is horrible. I just wanted a fix. The bulb syringe, saline, and humidifier/vaporizer combo just weren't doing enough for me. I was so frustrated. Finally, a fellow mama suggested that I try the Nosefrida. I had never heard of it, but I was desperate at the point. I did some quick research to see what it was about. It sounds very strange and disgusting, but if you have ever been in my shoes, you would try anything. Basically, you place the tip in the nostril and use the hose to "suck" out the snot.

There are a few reasons why I love this thing. The bulb syringe never had a enough "power." Haddie had a TON of snot and congestion, and the bulb syringe just wouldn't suck hard enough or long enough. With the Nosefrida, you can control both. Plus, I dare you to Google what the inside of a bulb syringe looks like after it has been used for a while. YUCK! You can easily take the Nosefrida apart to clean and sanitize it. Another reason I love this thing is something only a mother can understand. It is kind of similar to the way that you inspect and rejoice over the contents of your little one's diaper. It gave me a thrill to SEE all that gunk that I was getting out of her head.

Now, I will say she was and still isn't the biggest fan of being held down and having her sinuses sucked out. But, I know she has to feel better afterward. I was the guinea pig for the product before I used it on her, and it is painless. The product website says that it is doctor invented and recommended. You can find a video and even more information about the product there. I'm not certain if it is sold in stores. I ordered mine from Amazon. The product itself is about $15, and comes with four filters. You can buy the product and a box of 20 replacement filters for less than $20. I definitely recommend getting the extra filters. I didn't, and I regretted it while waiting for them to be delivered! You can order from Amazon and read even more rave reviews here.

 

Twilight Ladybug

My second favorite thing is the Twilight Constellation Ladybug by Cloud b. I have a feeling we will get lots of use out of this thing for many more years! It is so cool, I would even buy one for my room. Haddie started sleeping in her own room when she was a couple months old. I have always been a stickler about bedtime, sleeping habits, and routines. I wanted her to be able to sleep in her own room and I knew the best way to start was from the beginning. I didn't like the thought of it being dark with only a small little nightlight. I had seen several products from Cloud b, and fell in love with this little ladybug. I read some reviews and thought it sounded pretty neat.

I know there are several other brands and versions of something similar, but I think this was the "original." Some of my Pre-K kiddos have brought the other varieties in for nap time, and I don't think they work as well. The ladybug has actual constellations incorporated into the nightlight, and it comes with a star map. So once Haddie gets old enough, it will even be educational. It also projects very well. Haddie has a decent sized bedroom, and the stars shine clearly on the ceiling and even the walls. You can choose from three different colors to project: red, green, or blue. The red seems a little creepy, so I always have used the green. It has an auto shut-off timer that lasts for 45 minutes. The product also comes in a pink ladybug or turtle version in various colors.

When Haddie was still tiny, I think it was mostly just soothing to have the calming light. She was out like a light quickly at bed time anyway. She may not have even paid it any mind. After quite a few months, the batteries died. I am the worst about keeping new batteries in the house. So, the ladybug was forgotten. Flash forward to a few weeks ago. Now that Haddie is a little older, she plays a little bit before falling asleep. She had started to fuss when I would lay her down, turn out the light, and close the door. Her sound machine has a light and she also has a nightlight in her room, so it was not because it was too dark. I decided to fire up the ladybug again. Worked like a charm. No more fussing. I think it gives her something to look at as she falls asleep. Like I said before, it is pretty neat to look at. Pictures don't do it justice, you just have to try it out.

I have seen these for sale in several stores such as Target and Babies R Us, or on the product website. I purchased mine from Amazon for about $35. You can order your little one a ladybug and read reviews here.

Random Sidenote: If you are getting a monitor, go ahead and get the video monitor. I was trying to be frugal and thought it wasn't necessary to actually see her. When she was teeny and I jumped at every sound she made in the night, I really didn't miss it. But now that she is a little older, the video would be very handy to see if she is just fussing in her sleep or legit awake in the night. I think it will be even more necessary to spy on her once she is in the toddler bed. But, I'm not ready to go there yet! Needless to say, I am upgrading my audio monitor to video very soon.

Once again, these are my opinons. I love a good product and the fact that I am definitely getting my money's worth, makes me a happy mama! Feel free to share you thoughts on these products! Thanks for stopping by.

Hadley's Nursery Reveal

Well, it is finally done. Actually not. With me, decorating is never done. We are still missing a rug and there is always room for a few more knick knacks. Things will probably be shuffled around hundreds of times, but I am ready to show the world all the hard work that we have put in. The lighting is not the best in these photos, and in some cases, it really doesn't do the room justice. But, you can get the idea. The theme we were going for is vintage/retro. I didn't want it to be over-the-top girly, but I still wanted a fun, cute nursery feel. The main color scheme consists of red, blue, and light green. I hope you enjoy!

Nursery Inspiration

Fabric for the Nursery

We have decided on a color scheme and style for the nursery. I wanted something neutral for a couple of reasons: I have never been a big fan of the extreme for either gender. For example, butterflies and princesses for girls or trucks and dinosaurs for boys. No characters. Just my personal opinion. I am more of a sophisticated, and classic style. Also, if we decide to add to the family down the road, we won't need to buy new bedding. I am all about frugality and logical purchases.

This is the picture from the Company Website
Check them out here!

Here are a few other inspirations I plan to use in the Nursery:

Source: californiacallahans.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I love the detail on the drawers! My plan is to paint all of the furniture a soft white. I think adding this small detail to the dresser drawers will add some texture. I will also update the hardware on the dresser to give it a classy touch. Once the crib is put together, I may decided to add this to the side panels for some more texture.

Source: ontobaby.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I am in love with these tissue balls! Because I am going with a neutral color scheme and a sophisticated fabric, I think that these will add a touch of whimsy, and also some more texture.

Source: etsy.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I know that I want letters on the wall, but the design is up in the air. This is my favorite so far. I will probably use a simpler fabric/paper for the backgrounds, so that it doesnt compete with the bedding fabric.

These are some of the major components I have in mind. I also plan on doing some DIY lampshades, artwork, and stocking up on some woven baskets for storage. The goal is to blog about each step, and then put it all together it all in the final reveal. I know I said I would wait, but once the carpet was clean, I did start placing the furniture that I have on hand in the room. I spent about twenty minutes in the rocker. I sat there thinking about the future and all the things I have left on my LONG to-do list. I can't wait until the room starts coming together....