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The Mommy Moment (aka The moment I knew)

Do you remember that moment? You know, the moment you saw the line on the pregnancy test and knew that you were having a baby. I remember both times pretty well. 

Let me take you back to the end of December 2002. TechyDad and I had just gotten back from Las Vegas and were upset to learn that our digital camera had been stolen from our backpack while we were in the Pittsburgh airport coming home. We went to bed that night furious about the memories of Cows on Parade that were gone. Still, we both knew that the next morning our lives may change. We had bought a pregnancy test and I planned to use it first thing in the morning when I woke up.

At about 5 in the morning, I woke TechyDad up and told him that I had to use the bathroom. Unlike my usual self, I was having to make pretty frequent trips to the restroom. My teacher bladder had gone out the window, making us curious if I was indeed pregnant. So we went into the bathroom and I did my thing with the stick. We walked out and waited. When we both went back into the bathroom to check, we were greeted with a plus sign! We never took photos of that positive sign, but we did make calls to relatives at that early hour. We also made a special book of sonogram photos of NHL as he grew from a little bean shape into the little guy who would be born.

NHL at 4 days old

At the end of August 2006, just before I was heading back to teaching, I had a feeling that I was pregnant. We had bought a kit of ovulation and pregnancy tests to use. One morning, I left the bed and went into the bathroom while TechyDad still slept. I did the test and hardly had to wait. Within seconds I saw the following:

EwokPartDeux

Yes, I took a picture later on. I planned to use this picture to e-mail to family and friends to announce that we were expecting our second little one. I did and it was fun seeing/hearing/reading their reactions. After I saw the positive test, I ran into the bedroom and woke TechyDad up telling him he was going to be a Daddy again! Over the next nine months, we took photos of me pregnant and kept the sonogram photos of the little guy who looked like this once he arrived on the scene. 

Sleeping JSL - about 10 days old

What did you keep, document, or take photos of when you were expecting? Did you take a photo of your pregnancy test, or dare I ask . . . do you still have it?  Yes, I’m serious. Apparently, people keep their positive pregnancy tests as keepsakes. When Mom Central asked people to sign up to tell people about our Mommy Moments, I signed up because it sounded like fun. As my baby days are behind me, I still cherish that time in my life.

Mom Central also let me in on the pregnancy test keeping thing. I had never heard of this before (I’m naive I guess) and E.P.T. is making it easier for those that want to keep their pregnancy test memories for years to come.

e.p.t Keepsake Case

Yes, if you go to the e.p.t.. website you can read about their keepsake case and products. Here is a little more information:

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.  What’s more, 67% of expectant mothers saved their at-home pregnancy test – the first proof that they were pregnant – for reasons ranging from showing it to a partner to saving it as a poignant life-milestone keepsake. Now, e.p.t. offers women a commemorative Keepsake Case and scrapbook card to mark the life-changing occasion (available with a mail-in proof-of-purchase).

I guess I am in the minority since I never saved my test longer than to take a photo for later use. Am I sad about this? No, not really since I have the memories of those magical moments to last me along with my two beautiful little boys.

TheAngelForever

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of e.p.t. keepsake case. I received a keepsake case to facilitate my review (willing to donate to anyone interested) and will also be receiving a $20 gift card to JustGive.org for my participation. I look forward to donating this to a great charity close to my heart.

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Simply Go-Gurt – Review/Giveaway.com

My boys love yogurt. Last summer, my little guy really liked Go-Gurt, even for a frozen treat. When I mentioned this to our doctor, she was not thrilled. She said that although it was fabulous that he was eating yogurt., she did not think the sugar content was a good choice. I went home I looked and sure enough, it was pretty high for a regular purchase item. We stopped buying Go-Gurt and the kids were not happy.

Simply Go-Gurt

Earlier this spring, I was contacted by MyBlogSpark to participate in a Simply Go-Gurt review and giveaway. I was intrigued because the new Simply Go-Gurts were in the same fun form as the ones we had tried, but they contained less sugar.

More information about Simply Go-Gurt:

New Simply… Go-Gurt is made from simple ingredients moms look for and contains no high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors or flavors. Each convenient portable yogurt tube contains a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Simply stated, Simply… Go-Gurt is a good-for-you, low fat yogurt snack that you can feel good about giving to your kids.

New Simply… Go-Gurt is available in two kid-friendly flavors, Strawberry and Mixed Berry.

Simply Go-Gurt can be found in grocery stores nation wide. I will admit that we had some difficulty trying to find them a few months ago, but now they are stocked in almost every store that we have locally. Thanks to MyBlogSpark, I have a cute little widget below. The first 30 people to click on it will receive a coupon for a free package of Simply Go-Gurt. After that, you can print off a $1.00 off coupon.


Please note that the coupon offer for the free SImply Go-Gurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Lousiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee.

What we thought:

When our package arrived, the boys loved everything inside (see giveaway photo below). When we went shopping, they helped us to look for the new Simply Go-Gurt . Once we brought it home, NHL and JSL wanted to dig right in.

NHL (6) loved the Simply Go-Gurt. He immediately said that he likes how fun they are to eat in the squeeze tube. He had no problem at all eating one and begging for a second.  He also mentioned to us that it was not new. I guess that is a great endorsement. NHL clearly did not miss the high fructose corn syrup or colors and enjoyed the new Simply Go-Gurt.

The little guy, JSL (just 3), asked for a little assistance with his Simply Go-Gurt. He did not want any to get all over since he liked the taste. After he tried to do it solo, he asked for help to maximize what got into his mouth and minimize loss to a mess. It is important to note that JSL NEVER asks for help unless it is something he really likes and wants to make sure nothing is wasted. When he finished up the first and a second (like his big brother), JSL asked for another and we had to cut him off. We told them they would be there for another day. 

Taste testing Simply Go Gurt

NHL was nice enough to let me try a little of his, JSL refused to share. I liked the taste as well. It was still sweet, but not overly sweet like the original Go-Gurt had been. The biggest thing I noticed was the color was not shocking and bright like regular Go-Gurt (we can live without bright blue tongues). Kudos to Yoplait for making this option for kiids. This is definitely a step in the right direction to have options for children that do not have HFCS and added colors. I know we will definitely be buying more and likely will have some in the freezer for quick frozen snacks this summer. 

Giveaway:

Thanks to MyBlogSpark and Yoplait, one lucky reader will win a Yoplait Simply Go-Gurt "Simplify Your Life" gift pack like the one I received below. This includes a coupon to try Simply Go-Gurt, a pocket Etch a Sketch, weekly planner and a seat back organizer. . . perfect for upcoming summer trips. Please note that the coupon offer for the free Simply Go-Gurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Lousiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee.

Simply Go-Gurt Giveaway

 

Rules for Giveaway:

  • MAIN RULE – Answer the following question: Share a wholesome snacking tip that makes your child(ren) smile.

The following Bonus Entries may also be done. Please be sure to leave separate comments for each that you complete below to make sure you get the right number of entries.

  • 1 Bonus Entry –  Share a simple truth about being a parent.
  • 1 Bonus Entry – Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and Simply Go-Gurt Giveaway in the Tweet.  Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use): 
  • 1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
  • 1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the month of June/July. Be sure to leave a comment here to let me know which one. This Bonus entry may be done only twice per person.
  • 3 Bonus Entries – Add my blog button to your website and leave a link with the location. Be sure to give yourself 3 comments for credit.
  • 5 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the giveaway. Be sure to leave 5 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries.

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today July 6 and ends at 10:59 EST on July 14, 2010. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only. 

TheAngelForever

Disclosure: This review and giveaway was made possible by My Blog Spark and Yoplait.  They provided me with the gift pack and coupon to purchase a package of Simply Go-Gurt. The opinions of this review were mine and I received no other compensation.

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Toy Story 3 as first movie

Memories of my first times going to see a movie in a theater and at a drive in still are strong. How about you, do you recall what the first movie you saw in a theater was or your child’s?

When NHL was three, we went to visit Aunt M and Uncle I, along with Nana and . Nana and Papa came along for an extra special visit. It was winter break, December 2006, and we were there for a long weekend. Since it was Christmas, there was not a lot going on. We decided to all take NHL to see his first movie in a theater. We saw Happy Feet. NHL was so excited, but he also wanted to see the potty several times during the show. I started blogging just months after this, and apparently we did not take photos at the movie (bad us – sorry NHL). Here is one from that trip of NHL baking cookies with Aunt M.

NHL making cookies with Aunt M - Dec 2006

Fast forward to July 4th. We decided to take JSL to see his first movie in a theater. He is a HUGE Toy Story fan. He has been in love with them since our trip to Disney in February when he met Buzz and Woody and rode on the Toy Story Midway Mania ride at Hollywood Studios. Sad to admit, I have not been to see a movie in a theater since Twilight was out (not even New Moon – nor Eclipse). The last movie I saw with NHL was Happy Feet, but he saw Horton Hears a Who and Up with Nana and Papa.

Sunday morning, we decided to go and see Toy Story 3 with the boys. We settled on a 1:50 start time and did not go to the 3D version. I had never been to the new theaters and thought the party room that was there was too cute (made me think of things to do for NHL’s B-day).

Party room at movies

Then, JSL modeled his Buzz Lightyear attire. Yes, he insisted on taking one of his Buzz figures with us.

Can you tell his favorite Toy Story character?

We walked down the hall to the theater. I received a few looks from people working at the theater as I took photos. I looked at one and said "I blog – therefore I take photos of my son’s first movie experience!"  He gave me a thumbs up and kept walking.

Heading to Toy Story 3

At first, JSL did not want to walk in. The darkness inside scared him a bit. We reassured him that it was not bad and he would see Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Friends inside.

Not too sure about this

There was hardly anyone inside when we got there (this would change as time went by). We opted to sit in the front row of the stadium seating area. We also went to the side near an escape area, just in case we needed it. This would prove to be a great place later on when JSL was antsy during an intense scene of the movie and wanted to stand up. JSL sat really well waiting for the movie to begin.

Is it show time yet?

After a few previews, he was getting a little upset and asked JL where Buzz Lightyear and Woody were. Luckily, they came on soon and he was very happy.

When we made it back to the car, JSL showed his age. My sweet little three year old passed out in the carseat on the way home. Note his Buzz Lightyear hat, shirt and Buzz toy firmly gripped in his hand.

My tired little Toy Story fan

If you have not seen Toy Story 3, we highly recommend it. Loved the way that Pixar has improved on this series with each sequel. Way to go Disney and thank you for all of the Toys Story Memories that we have from JSL’s first movie!

The boys did so well, I am thinking about taking them to the free movie tomorrow solo. Someone please hold me!

TheAngelForever

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