bloggers you should know: callie from bennett love

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Callie from Bennett Love

Hi there! I'm Callie and blog over at Bennett Love. Hope all you You Are The Roots fans are doing well! Such an honor to be guest posting on Lindsay's wonderful blog. Her thoughts on life and motherhood are so entertaining. And isn't Ethan a cutie?! This is actually my first time guest blogging so I am a little bit on the excited side :)

My husband and I live in the mountains of NC and call a small, yellow farmhouse home. I have been married to my wonderful husband, Joel, for almost 5 years and we are expecting our first child, Abram, towards the end of February. We are beyond thrilled about meeting our son and finally getting to hold him in our arms. I have loved being pregnant! The big, stretchy clothes, the increase in foot and back rubs I get from hubby, the fact that my leg hair has almost stopped growing! (Let's take a moment just to acknowledge how wonderful that is) It's such a miracle what our bodies can do.


So let's chat a bit about crafts! I love making things with my hands and attempting to be creative :) My thoughts are all baby focused lately so I thought I'd share an incredibly simple tutorial with you on a chic teething necklace. All you will need is: some fabric, wooden craft beads and a sewing machine. Easy shmeasy guys! Anyone can do this one!

1. Sew fabric, right sides together, into a tube. Then turn tube right side out.

2. Place wooden beads into tube and knot between each bead. I used about 7-8 beads.

3. Then tie two ends together and voila! A cute necklace that doubles as a teether.

Thank you Lindsay for letting me chitchat. Hope you'll come visit me over here soon!

bloggers you should know: kim from the glitter and the gray

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Kim from The Glitter & The Gray

Hey there, all! My name is Kim, and I write a little blog called “The Glitter and the Gray”. Why is it called that, you may or may not have asked? Well, because as a stay at home mom to an adorable two and a half year old named Jack, my life is a mixture of a touch of glitter and a touch of gray. Much more of the former, now that I’ve settled into this new role, as I’m sure many of you can relate to!

I live in a tiny little town in the Catskill Mountains of New York with my husband, Jay, our two pain-in-the-butt cats named Snack and Hobbes, and of course, Jack. Jay and I have been married since September of 2007, and have been together since 2003. Jack came along in April of 2009.

This is the three of us back in October for my brother’s wedding!
Since then, things have been a bit of a whirlwind. New jobs, moving, etc. Truth be told, sometimes it all seems like a bit too much to handle! I think that’s why I love blogging so much. Even though I don’t always have the time these days to sit down and let all of the thoughts pour out, when I do, it clears my head! And the sense of community is like none other. Just visiting other blogs, reading the ins and outs of what other people are going through in their lives, I think it can make people feel not as alone, you know? And as a stay at home mom? There are lonely days, of course!

Our little family has resigned ourselves to making 2012 a banner year. We’re aiming for changes and growth. While still employed, thank goodness, my husband is on the hunt for a new, better paying job. I’m opening myself up to things I may not have done previously. I just joined a newly formed playgroup in my town (it’s such a tiny town, there wasn’t one previously!), I’m trying to make friends for both myself and Jack, trying to make myself and what I do more well known on one of my biggest resources: the internet (TA-DA!) all the while running around and playing with cars and trains with the little dude…trying to figure out half of what he is saying…he has a slight speech delay! ;) He’s made leaps and bounds in the past few months though, and it sure is nice to now have someone to talk to in-person during the day!

Oh, did I mention we’re slowly renovating the house we’re currently renting? If you like before and after pictures, come take a look!

I think that’s me and my little corner of the internet in a nutshell. Feel free to stop by and say hello…and maybe stay a while. I love “meeting” new people!

It has been an absolute pleasure talking to you via You Are The Roots, a big thank you to Lindsay for the opportunity!

bloggers you should know: sarah from a better and magnificent mom

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Sarah from A Better And Magnificent Mom

Hey there everyone! My name is Sarah from A Better and Magnificent Mom and I am so happy to be guest posting for Lindsay, here on You are the Roots.

Me and my little silly one

I am a first time mommy to my little munchkin, Maggie, who is about to turn 18 months. Mags is an active little bugger and doesn't like to be still for any length of time. With that being said, I have been thinking since the summer, about what we are going to do this winter to not go stir crazy!

Running around outside before we are stuck inside!

First of all, I knew that I wanted to sign Mags up for some "Mommy and Me" classes. We attended one last year, and on those cold, dreary days it was a lifesaver. It was so nice, just to get out of the house and have somewhere to go, with activities that would interest my little curious baby. This year, I was interested in a place that not only offered classes, but also offered some open gym time for her to run around and get the sillies out. I researched the local offerings and found that Gymboree has open gym times and that, plus some specials they are running, made the decision. We will be taking a music and gym class there and we can't wait to get started.

Just about the only picture I get these days...the toddler action shot!

The next thing that I thought about for this winter was maintaining our membership with the local mommy club that I found through Meetup. This website helps people with similar interests get together in their area. They have lots of different groups and I was fortunate to find a great Mommy group. Last winter we started with a few play dates, and then we started attending other really fun events. I think the best event we attended last year was the Halloween party and parade.

My little clown

My final idea for helping while away the time during these frigid winter months, concerns Maggie's Christmas gifts. For the past two years, Mags has been so blessed by all of the wonderful toys, books and games, that she has received as presents. There are way too many to play with all at once, so I have some of them stored away, and over the winter I will pull one new toy out about every month or so (putting away an old toy, to make room). It's kind of like sustaining the fun of opening new gifts over the entire year. Just another little help for those cold, otherwise grey days.

A rare seated time

So those are the plans! Thank you so much to Lindsay for letting me guest post. Hope you are having a wonderful day and feel free to stop over at A Better and Magnificent Mom, to visit!

bloggers you should know: mindee from heaps of love

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Mindee from Heaps Of Love

Hello all you blogging beauties out there! I am honored to be asked to be a guest blogger on You Are The Roots! To be honest, this is my very first time being a guest on someone elses blog...and it makes me excited, nervous, proud, enthusiastic all at once! So lets get the ball rolling! :)

My name is Mindee! My blog is {as of recent} called Heaps of Love! Why did I choose that name you ask? A. My last name is Heaps and B. our famiy is full of love! Genius right? I thought so. We became a family of 3 in May 2011. Zoee Ann is our greatest treasure here in this life. We love her more than we can imagine! But lets start with Austin and Myself...

We met in spring of 2008. We met upon my brother asking me to come to a friends wedding as the third wheel, and me saying ok...{I didnt really want to go}. Austin was a friend of my brothers who came along too...boy was he a sight for sore eyes! Those freckles, dark hair, blue eyes, I was head over heels! Turns out so was he. :) We dated, then married in March. Hes the love of my life and im so happy to be his wifey!

Now that you know a little background on our little family...lets enjoy some questions I've been thinking in my mind...

How is it being a new Momma?


Its fabulous! Seriously though...nothing could bring me more joy in life than raising Zoee. She is such a beacon of light in our family. You know when before you have your baby, people always tell you how hard its going to be, and what an adjustment it is, and how it can even turn your life upside down? Well, there right! {In every good way}

All that stuff compared to all the love, joy, happiness, accomplishment you feel, its a teeny, tiny grain of sand. No one really tells you how much stinkin fun your going to have being a parent! Austin and I feel so blessed to be Zo's parents. Shes our world!


Why did I start a blog?

I've been a blogger since 2008, 4 years people! But, Ive been an avid blogger for a year now. Theres a big difference, believe me. The majority of my blog is to write about our family. About the love we share, the fun we have, the hard days we go through, {a little crafting thrown in there}, and since Zoees been born, theres a whole lot about that little gal! I love writting about these things. They interest me! If I were to write a specifically fashion only blog, it would plummet {but I love reading other peoples blogs about those things}. I believe if you are to have a successful, reading friendly blog, you have to write about what you love! And I dearly love my little family : )

...Yes, this is coming from the girl who has few followers...43 to be exact! One of my goals in 2012 was to reach 100+ followers. Guess what, I have a new "Grab button" now, so here is a prime opportunity to grab that button, and click follow!

And if you really want to make my day {year} then you should leave a lovely little comment...Seriously, I get as giddy as a school girl when I get them!

Well, thats a little about my bloggy blog. Thanks Lindsay for having me, its been an absolute pleasure! I sure love your blog and that little man of yours : )

You all have a bright and sunny day full of rainbows and happiness! {a little corny...I like corny}

xo Mindee

bloggers you should know: abbey from life treasured

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Abbey from Life Treasured

Hi, 'You Are The Roots' readers! I am so excited to be guest blogging over here today. My name is Abbey and I blog over at Life Treasured.

My Husband and I are high school sweethearts and have been married for a little over 4 years. We were in engaged 6 years ago on New Years Eve. It was such an unexpected surprise and I couldn't wait to begin planning our wedding and then soon enough become a Mrs.

It is funny how things turn out in life. I mean, as a teenager you never imagine marrying your high school boyfriend. That's why life is fun and so unexpected. You never know where love or life will take you.


We were married on a rainy day in June and began living the carefree life of newlyweds. We bought our first house and made it our home, started our "big kid" jobs and enjoyed the simple things in life. Fast forward to 3 1/2 years later.....we were ready to begin a new adventure in life and that was to begin a family. We envisioned a few kids within a few years apart and we were excited about expanding our family.

We were beyond thrilled when we were blessed with a positive pregnancy test. The wait to get into the doctor for an ultrasound seemed like an eternity, but we waited and dreamed. We dreamed about the little one developing in my belly and the parents we hoped to be. When it was finally time for our ultrasound we went in with high hopes and fingers crossed that our little one was on track with development and off to a great start. Then life did a funny thing and took us on a path we never could have imagined. The ultrasound revealed that we would be having twins! We were on cloud nine and our emotions were on an all time high. Three weeks later we went in for another ultrasound. I still can't believe what the ultrasound tech discovered. After a long uneasy silence, she announced that we would not only be having two babies, but THREE! Three identical little ones! We laughed...it was all that we could do with the amount of shock that ran through our bodies as we discovered we would be bringing triplets into the world as first time parents.


From that moment forward our life changed....for the better. It was another example to prove to me that no matter how much I think I have it all figured out, life takes you on an unexpected journey. One that isn't necessarily in the "plans," but a journey that you could never imagine your life without. No one dreams about starting a family off having triplets, but I am in love with this new reality and I couldn't have planned it out any better.

So weather it's not knowing when and where the love of your life will find you or how your family will take shape...life has a funny way of working out and it takes you on some amazing journeys!

special guest blogger: victoria from adventures in mommyhood

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Today's guest blogger is Victoria from Adventures In Mommyhood! I'm lucky enough to know Victoria "IRL" (We got to be pregnant together -- see?) and am excited to introduce you guys to her, too!



First I'd like to thank Lindsay for letting me take over her blog today! For those who don't know me, my name is Victoria! *waves*



I'm 27 years old and am currently a stay at home mom to my two precious little boys, but we'll talk more about them later! I'm going back to school early next year to become a nurse which I'm really excited about. At this point all I know is that I want to work with either kids, babies, or in labor & delivery!

I've lived all over the world and met my future husband Irwin in Norway. He is a 35 year old professional IT nerd and loves it here in the States!


We got married on January 5th, 2008 on the beautiful island of Key Biscayne, just off of Miami, Florida.


Then on October 24th, 2008 (yes 9 months later *insert honeymoon jokes here* ;) our first beautiful baby boy, Jake, entered this world:






Just recently, on July 23rd, 2011 baby brother Justin joined us!








We are now officially a family of 4 (woah!) and loving every minute of it!





Now that we have introductions out of the way, lets talk motherhood! I am now learning that everything I thought I knew about parenting and motherhood, well I didn't!

Before I was a mom, I remember my coworker telling me how awful her c-section experience was (she was put under general anesthesia and missed the birth of her son) and how she was adamant about having a VBAC next time. She told me she had to sign all these papers about the dangers of VBACing and how her uterus could rupture. I thought she was insane and wondered why on earth she wouldn't just have a repeat c-section. Fast forward 5 years later and hey guess what, I had a VBAC myself! Way for me to judge huh?!

My first son, Jake, was born with colic I swear! He came out screaming at the top of his lungs and literally didn't stop until he was 10 months old. He hated the car, he hated sleeping, he wouldn't nap, he hated stroller rides, you get the picture!

So whenever I heard other pregnant first time moms talk about how they couldn't wait to take their new baby on stroller walks, coo together on their play mat, go shopping together, etc.. I thought "just you wait!"

When I was pregnant with Justin, someone gave us a mobile to put over his crib. I thought it was nice and all but Jake never ever would just lay in his crib, he was either crying (hysterically) or sleeping.. there was no in-between so mobiles were always useless to us!

All of this was my mindset, it's all I knew! Then Justin was born, and I realized everything I thought I knew about raising a baby.. I didn't!

Justin? Well he smiles all the time, he loves cooing with me on the playmat, he loves car rides, he rarely ever cries and he has been sleeping through the night practically since birth! And guess what? The mobile? He LOVES it! Everything I thought couldn't and wouldn't ever happen with a new baby did.

Parenting is always a learning work in progress, but I've also learned it can be completely different even from kid to kid. I no longer think I have this motherhood thing down pat, I have realized now that every situation and every baby is different and this has been very eye opening. I vow to never judge or say "never" again!



Don't forget to head on over to Victoria's blog,
Adventures In Mommyhood!