Christmas Giveaway // Datevitation

Can you believe it’s December? Ah, time seems to be flying by rather quickly. We’re pretty excited in our home for Christmas this year, especially Ledger. I thought in order to kick off the Holiday season, lets plan a couple GIVEAWAYS!

I’m excited to work with Datevitation again, one of our favorite sponsors. Last Father’s Day I made Patrick a coupon book, and it was a big hit. It was the perfect personal gift, but I loved how he still had something fun to open and look through.

In case you don’t remember, or are new, Datevitation.com is a site that helps you create custom love coupon books. Their library contains over 500 date ideas. Unlike the pre-packaged love coupon books out there, you pick the dates and can customize the text to your liking.  Once you are done customizing the text in your book, Datevitation will print it out and ship it to you. And it comes looking like this.

And this feature is new!

 

I’m happy to announce one lucky winner will receive one free coupon book, just in time for Christmas! I’ve already ordered one myself :)

To enter, click here.

And good news for everyone else! Books normally start at just $25, but as a special treat for my followers, you can use the code  ‘‘SULLENGERS10’  for $10 off your purchase plus free shipping (total value of $13.50)  That means you can get your loved one a one-of-a-kind gift for Christmas starting at just $15! Awesome deal! The order cut-off date for guaranteed delivery by Christmas is December 13 so make sure to get your order in before then!

Good luck!

 

My Boys

As Cannon and Cruiz slowly become happier human beings, big brother Ledger is having a difficult time keeping his hands off them. He continually smothers them with kisses and thinks it’s hilarious when they babble to him. At first glance, he tends to call either baby Cannon, but if they are dressed differently, Ledge is pretty good at remembering which one is “Cwoozer." (aka Cruiz)

With less crying, our evenings have become a little more relaxed. Hallelujah. It’s fun to watch the boys interact. I’m definitely grateful for all of these boys.

“Dad, I hoad Cannon?”

This past week, we moved both boys out of the front room and into Ledger’s room to sleep. It’s went pretty well considering the first few mornings we heard the light switch turn on, and Ledger yell, “Wake up! Babies waaaake up!” By the time we got in there, Ledge was attempting to climb into their crib. Apparently, he was a little giddy to have the extra company.

We hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving this week! We will be attempting an 8 hour drive to Spokane… Wish us luck!

Four Month Old Twins

Terry, Pat’s stepmom asked me if the past few months have been easier or harder than I expected, and without hesitation I answered, “Harder!” It’s been rough, really rough, but this last week went much smoother, and I’m hoping it’s only uphill from here.

Month three kicked off with a lot of crying. Both boys cried all day (and sometimes all night) long! After three months, the crying gets to you. I admit, I had plenty of breakdowns myself. I purposely moved the boys to two different schedules – hoping one crying baby would be easier to handle. Though it was easier, it also meant I never got a break, I mean never! I always had a baby to tend to. Both boys hate the swing, vibrator chair, and until recently the bumbo, so I rarely had free hands. (Thank goodness for my Moby wrap!) Cannon struggled sleeping at night, and Cruiz would stay up during the day. Both boys couldn’t seem to function while being awake. Pat’s been soo good about coming home and dealing with the chaos. He usually immediately begins picking up or making dinner without complaining. Ah, I’m lucky to have him!

Cannon

Anyway, on to better news. About half way through the month, Cannon began showing improvement due to different formula, regular chiropractor visits, meds for acid reflux and probiotics (Thank you for the comments for all of these tips) Cruiz took a little longer, but these past few days he’s shown major improvement as well! Last week I brought up the jumperoo and exersaucer and the boys loved them! It’s the first time they have been content being by themselves while being awake. This has enabled me to accomplish a few things during the day, even if it’s only jumping in the shower. And it’s made Ledger a happier boy as well. Now that they are improving, my main struggle is getting them back on the same schedule.

Cruiz

Ledger thought it was unfair that he didn’t have his own “Jungle.”

Cannon – sleeping again, once feeling better this kid started sleeping much better!

This picture cracks me up, Cannon finds Ledger soo funny. Look at that chubby face!

 

Personalities

 

Cannon Ball – Has been so fun these past two weeks. He has a unique smile, and will babble with a very serious face for hours. He still doesn’t love to snuggle next to Cruiz, and won’t look at him very often, but will watch Ledger like a hawk. He definitely gets less time with me because Cruiz is much more needy, but he’s usually a good sport about it.  His personality continues to match what we saw during ultrasounds, he’s more active, and seems more driven. His head practically grew over night and now reminds me of his older sister’s, but everything else matches Ledger (minus an open mouth). His head is beginning to go flat in the back so we all suffer through tummy time while he screams the entire time. But he is super close to rolling over.

Cruizer – is a straight up Momma’s boy. He’s incredibly needy and my cuddler. There’s nowhere he’d rather be than in my arms. His personality continues to match what the ultrasounds showed as well – he is content when he is next to someone. He probably loved being squished up next to Cannon for 9 months, and sometimes I feel that’s why he was in the NICU for so long…as long as people were there holding him, he didn’t need anything more… Once he’s around people, he’s completely on show – jabbering to anyone who makes eye contact with him. He’s started to jabber and coo all day long, and I find his dimpled grin irresistible. He is a great sleeper during the night, but struggles with naps during the day. Just this past week we put him in Ledger’s room at night, and he’s done great. When he’s happy, he reminds me so much of Preslee, definitely more than his two brothers..

This past month both boys are…

drinking 5 ounces every 3-4 hours.

beginning to go for longer periods without being swaddled. But if we want them to sleep, we swaddle them right up!

wearing  6 month clothing, Cannon is a little heavier.

wearing size 2 diapers

obsessed with binkies

talking more than any of our other kids

And I’m beginning to be able to tell their cries apart…sometimes.

I’ve suddenly had multiple twin mom’s say 4 months is when everything turned around. So here’s to hoping it does! C’mon boys, we’ve got this!

Cannon, Cruiz

Cruiz, Cannon

Love you two!

Family Pictures 2013

Are you impressed? You should be. We braved family pictures with 3 month old colicky twins, and surprisingly ended up with some great shots! We even got a few without anyone crying. I give all credit to my very talented SIL, Alisha, she did a fantastic job.

I thought by adding the twins to our family photos it would help fill that gaping hole where Preslee belongs, but to my surprise, it’s still there, and as big as ever. I actually first noticed it with our family photo at the twins’ blessing {here} So we made sure to incorporate her throughout the night. These first two photos are by far our favorite, and as you can see, little brother was thrilled to be the one holding “Pres.”

 

For all you newbies, we planted this tree after Preslee passed away, read more {here}. We decided to make this a tradition {here}, to show how much it grows throughout the years.

I smiled when Alisha threw some of these in, she wanted us to have something to laugh at down the road. I actually love them, it’s a little glimpse of all the crying we’ve had to endure these past few months.

Thanks again Alisha, all you who live Utah and SE Idaho check out Alisha’s work, she’s amazing and specializes in weddings! {here}

Dear Sledgehammer,

Minutes ago you dumped your cereal bowl all over yourself and the kitchen floor. You looked up at me with a cheesy smiled and exclaimed, “Dump!” I immediately grabbed your hand, and walked you into the bathroom, and as soon as you realized it was bath time, you began chanting “bath!” over and over again.

So now here we sit, just you and me, in our tiny little bathroom. I love watching you play in your two year old ways. You struggle deciding which toy to play with, choosing between your orange bath crayon, red fish, rubber ducky, and a bright green frog. You ask to sing, which in translation means, “Turn on Pandora, to a toddler station – please.” You giggle when you hear “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” which leads to lots of clapping, splashing, and big bright smiles.

I feel like your long skinny body, and your flipper like feet continue to grow too quickly. I wash your blonde hair which I feel needs cut, but your dad continues to persist we grow it out. Every thing about you is transforming into a little boy, leaving all your baby characteristics behind.

As I sit here and type, I hear, “Momma, I happy.” Yes, yes indeed, you are one incredibly happy boy. Your vocabulary continues to grow in strides every single day. You copy EVERYTHING we say, which leads us to think before we speak. This past week you began calling your dad and I, Ashley and Pat... hmmm, I don’t think that is going to fly, we're continually reminding you we're mom and dad.

Oh Sledge, even amongst the daily tantrums and destructiveness, I still love this age. That is exactly why I’m typing right now, I don’t want to forget simple moments like this. You say the funniest things, and I’m so grateful to be your mom. The twins continue to do a number on me, and I’m constantly losing my patience. But each and every day you remind me the importance of forgiveness, and continue to be my biggest fan – showering me with hugs and kisses.

Thank you for being so patient with me.

Awe, your dad and I both love you Sledgehammer.

Love,

Momma