Everyone has special moments and those of us w/ kiddos have those extra special ones when finiding out a baby will be arriving. No, no – I’m not having another… but am going to post about the moment I knew

Many keep pregnancy tests – I did with both of my kids. According to a recent survey commissioned by the makers of e.p.t. brand, the top three pregnancy keepsakes are: ultrasound photos, items from the delivery day and at-home pregnancy tests. Also, 67% of expectant mothers saved their at-home pregnancy test. It’s the first proof that they were pregnant – for reasons ranging from showing it to a partner to saving it as a keepsake.

I had mine stored in a box with other keepsakes I’ve held on too. Now, I have a cute keepsake pouch for them. It zips and has “Remember the moment you knew” embossed on it and a card inside to journal the details. You can go to testaccurately.com to find out more information about e.p.t.’s keepsake case and products. Even if you didn’t keep your test you likely have hospital bracelets or something and you could keep those mementos in this case, as well. I received one like this: (thanks MC & ept)

If you’d like one, visit the website mentioned above and it’s available with a mail-in proof-of-purchase.

Where were you when you found out? Who did you tell first? Did you save your test?

For my first born – I had been married for four years and we decided it was time to try. Within a few weeks, it happened. I do not know how I knew, I just knew. I woke up early one morning – woke my husband – told him I thought I was pregnant to run to town and purchase a test. He did, I took it, we waited… and it was positive. No, I wasn’t late… and I still am amazed how it all happened when I think about it. I first told my Mom, then my Dad.

My second born – my husband and I decided to try after his last military deployment. Again, it didn’t take long. I actually used two tests with this one to double check as I didn’t have the instinct I had previously. This was around the time with 9/11 took place. We were living in California, 2500 miles away from family and the first person I told was my Mom via phone, then again, my Dad.

In addition to tests, I kept hospital bracelets; first blanket; homecoming outfits; cards & charts from the hospital and all sorts of things. I am not a pack rat but for some reason I just have to keep all those things!

SO, that’s that – if you’d like to share – you may, in comments. Toodles.

I wrote this while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of e.p.t and received an e.p.t. keepsake case and a $20 gift card to JustGive.org to facilitate my review.

Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading product safety testing organization, provides useful tips to help keep you safe around play sets and the pool. It seems much like common sense but it’s usually the common sense things that people sometimes overlook. Therefore, I wanted to pass this information on to you.

As the weather heats up (and it’s certainly HOT in my area), families will seek refuge in the cool waters of their neighborhood or backyard pools. Although there is nothing like a quick dip on a hot summer’s day, pool season doesn’t come without risks. Approximately 4,200 people go to the ER every year due to pool or spa-related injuries.

To keep your family safe while having fun this summer, UL is offering the following tips:

You can find more tips on pool/playground safety on their website as well as other great information that may be useful.

For children: UL and Disney produced a video featuring Timon and Pumba from the Lion King teaching kids how to stay safe while swimming during the summer, and all year long.

Playground and pool safety are important topics in my house because of my two children. We recently moved from a very rural farm area to a small city neighborhood and I can’t stress pool safety enough! I even sold my above ground pool because it was a fear that some neighborhood child may get in without permission (and I have a fenced yard!). My children are always wanting to jump in a pool (or act crazy on their playground set) and that’s why I wanted to share these common yet overlooked tips. I’m thankful that my children know not to play around pools or in them without adult supervision. Keep cool this summer and play safe.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Underwriters Laboratories. In addition, I received a gift card to thank me for participating.

Do you think of Halls cough drops when you need fast-acting relief for allergy related coughs and sore throats?? If you are one of many who suffer from bad allergies you can use Halls cough drops to help while you wait for your allergy medicine to take action.

My son, who is almost 13, is the one in my house who has the most issues w/ allergies. He is allergic to many things (trees, grass, pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold, etc.) His allergies are usually under control with Zyrtec. However, he gets in these cough modes and can’t stop coughing – it’s like an allergy asthma type problem. He will cough at night while sleeping and won’t even know it. It can be very disruptive and annoying. However, he can’t help it – we do what we can to make him comfortable and allergy free.

Mom Central emailed me about Halls Allergy relief making claim that Halls would provide comfort. Since my son has such year-round allergies I opted in to test out the product and give my opinion. I’ve used Halls before but not due to allergies, as I don’t suffer from them. My husband only suffers from allergies seasonally. We are able to give Halls a thumbs up on this. The topical anesthetic and cough suppressant in a yummy tasting drop does help make one feel better. So, don’t just think of cough drops for colds as they will help allergy related coughs/sore throats/noses, too. When you’re mouth, nose and throat are dry and sore from that cough attack, pop in a Halls! My son said he’d like to add Halls to his allergy regimen.

Feel free to check out what types of Halls cough drops you can get and sign up for coupons at the Halls website.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Halls and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.