The Thatcher Life: November So Far

Sawyer

We managed to make it to the best parade our city does thanks to a friend posting about it the day of. Somehow I missed any advertising for it which isn't usual. We would have been so sad if we missed the Storybook parade. Santa brought up the rear of the parade with his sleigh sitting on top of a giant float. As he rode by us, Sawyer shouted, "Hey! Hey! I want an Indominus Rex!" He's been very laser focused on his request for Santa ever since a random visit to Target back in August/September when he spotted a gigantic Indominus Rex toy and I told him that would be a good present for Santa to bring. So he made sure to get his order in the first chance he got.

He's been having night time anxiety/night terrors again. They happen almost every night and typically end with his usual vomiting episode. I decided to order him a weighted blanket because they have such great reviews for helping to ease anxiety (among other things). I had really high hopes but it doesn't seem to make a difference for him. Poor boy wakes up more often than his baby sister and it's exhausting for all involved.

He can be heard making up "Once upon a time" stories or singing songs with the occasional made up lyric (or a totally made up song) and it's fun to hear his imagination come to life. He especially likes to share his stories and songs with Wren. The other day he was singing his own version of Rock-a-bye baby to her and his lyrics included, "Rock-a-bye baby, don't cry and freak out" and it just made me laugh.

I took him shopping to pick a Christmas present for Dawson and it took some coaching to help him understand it's about picking what Dawson would like and not necessarily what he likes. He did a pretty good job and I think his little brother will love what was picked out for him.

We've been in Christmas mode for awhile now and have made sure to get in some of our favorite movies. While we were watching Elf, the part came on with the narwhal and Sawyer turned to me and said, "Narwhals are unicorn fish." And I just can't think of a more perfect description for them than that.

Dawson

My mom sent the movie Maleficent home for the boys to watch and Dawson fell in love with it and asked to play it on repeat for days and days (didn't always happen but we probably really did watch it once a day for a couple of weeks). He liked it so much that I asked him if he would like to go see the second one in the theater. He was all about it so I took him on discount Tuesday and Sawyer stayed home with Dillon and got to build a fort and pick up a pizza (and party with Wren). Dawson did impressively well for a movie that's not necessarily geared for three-year-olds. It was more on the serious side and less cutesy but Dawson watched it all and asked me plenty of questions throughout. Later, when I pulled out my Christmas decorations Dawson spotted the tall glass angel and excitedly shouted, "It has wings like Mefficent has!!"

He has also been practicing what he would like to ask Santa for for his Christmas. He decided that he wants a kitchen toy and has given that same answer each time I asked him, to make sure. Then the other day he said, "Mom, please I can ask Santa for two presents?" "Well, what do you want to ask him for?" I asked (had to check before just letting him go crazy). And he answered, "Um, a kitchen toy aaaannnnd some CANDY! Please??" I told him that Santa could probably take care of that and he could definitely ask. That boy loves sugar in a crazy way.

Dawson got to have his turn to go Christmas shopping with me. I told him that he was picking something out for Sawyer and he seriously blew me away with how good he did. He put some careful thought and consideration into it. When we passed a Jurassic World vibrating toothbrush with a velociraptor on it, Dawson grabbed it and shouted, "Sawyer can have a raptor toothbrush!" and I was just really impressed at that because Sawyer's number one obsession is dinosaurs. Then as we continued down the toy aisle, Dawson spotted some star wars toys and grabbed one with all of the robots and said, "Let's get him alllll of the new robots!" and again, so impressed. Robots are probably number two on Sawyer's favorites list. Dawson is such a little observer and it was fun to see him pick out things for his brother and do so well.

Some funny Dawson-isms: 1. He pronounces the word pretend like "pra-pa-tend" and when he's playing he'll do something (like air munch a toy) and say, "Don't worry, I'm just pra-pa-tending." 2. We watched Home Alone and when the mom passed out in the airport Dawson screamed, "Kevin's mom died!!" We assured him she was fine and had a good laugh. 3. Dawson's lips really struggle in the winter. They get so dry and just peel and crack (we try to keep them moisturized, they are just so sensitive). One day when they were starting to crack he ran up to me and exclaimed, "My lips are hatching!" So funny and a little bit sad. The best thing I've found for them was the night time lip balm from Bath and Body but, they stopped making it. So feel free to send me your favorite lip helps (typical stuff like regular chapstick just makes his dry lips blister so medicated is usually best).

Wren

Since I'm still catching up and had a good month of stuff to document, Wren gets a link to her four month post for her update. All of her latest and greatest can be found there.

Dillon

Dillon's been on fire this year with ideas for his family for Christmas. We usually default to gift cards because I would rather they be able to pick something out than for us to guess and have them hate it. But Dillon's ideas have been solid and it's been really fun.

The engineering department at Metalcraft decided to participate in "No Shave November" and they even managed to pressure Dillon into it. Our entire marriage he's been clean shaven with the exception of the month he decided to try growing a goatee. His facial hair is so blonde, it didn't really work. But his beard came in quite nicely, though neither of us care for it. Looks wise, it wins. But I don't love how it feels and Dillon says it's so itchy that he feels like he's in "face hell" ha. We're going to take a picture at the end of the month because there may not be a repeat in the future.

DaNae

I've been trying to knockout Christmas shopping and I would say that we are 95% done. I really do love gift giving but I don't love to do the shopping in December. It makes everything feel hectic to me. But with that done, the Christmas month is more relaxed so that we can enjoy the family fun and activities.

I've officially hit the shedding phase of postpartum. I think I've written about it every time I've gone through it but, seriously, the amount of hair that comes off of my head is just downright shocking even when I know it's coming. The bald spots will soon be showing up and pony tails will be off the table for bit because my hair line is sad looking during that time. Baby growing does a number on your body friends. But those little people sure are worth it.

Holding her hands so sweetly while she naps (with her half closed eyes that are sometimes alarming ha).

Preschool pictures.

Hanging lights with dad.

We 100% put them up November 1st. Not sorry.

The Storybook Parade.

He was less scared this year but preferred to watch from the comfort (and distance) of his chair for most of it.

Sawyer waving away.

Staying safe from the characters while waving from his chair.

Hanging with Grandma.

And out.

Sawyer telling Santa about the Indominus Rex.

Dawson always calls these "Austin's chips" because of the time his cousin Austin had a can of them at my parents. At the store, "Please I can have some Austin's chips?"

Finally lifting that noggin during tummy time.