New Year, New Tricks

So it is January 1, 2010 and PW decided that he was ready to move up the developmental ladder. New trick of 2010... eating his feet! Check him out for the first time---

Part Two

You can't see it here but Lene had quite the pregnant belly and was still up and at it! I think she was secretly hoping to go into labor!

This was classic this season. Grandma and Grandpa (I don't have a picture of him because he had the camera!) tried to divide their time and spend a little with each of the grankids.



Elauna, Ella, Avonleah and Ellie tried really hard to play together this Christmas. There were lots and lots of meltdowns and even more smiles! Ave and Ella got a little sick of each other, Elauna had a bit of a tender heart and Ellie jumped from cousin to cousin with a smile! (I had a picture of Ella bawling her eyes out, but none like that of the other girls so I didn't think that would be fair- because they all did it!)
On Christmas morning most of the family was sick with a nasty 24 hour bug that sent us to the bathroom to puke, or do other business, quite often. Some more than others. It eventually wore out its welcome and we were all ready to eat Mom's delicious snacks a few days later!
Babies were shared and kisses passed on along their cheeks. Memories were shared too- and some were even newly made! It seemed that Santa came to each of us this year as we discovered fun gifts and lifelong family love with everyone. The best part was that we all got be together- and more than just once! As earlier mentioned, we even fit in a family photo with all the children, spouses, and grandchildren. I can't say everyone was smiling- but they were there! So we'll see how they turned out!
All in all this was so much fun! Things are changing as each of us grow into ourselves and our families- but we will always be a big family together! Even if all our time together is spent wiping spit, tears, or floors, changing diapers, calming screaming fits, making sure everyone has food, making sure nobody chokes on that food- or other things that aren't food, and having to take a moment for ourselves we will always be the best set of Grandparents, Parents, Children, Grandchildren and Friends that we'll ever have!

Christmas with the Rohrers

Peewee was a star all season long. He battled a cold and cough through Christmas and the new year and only broke down when we stood in the cold for family pictures!!

Ethnee asked for a pillow- and that's just what she got. Only this pillow was made of gold! Most of Eth's time around the fam was spent picking up this or that child or playing games with the little girls!

I love this picture. Con G was the happiest and most loving little guy around. He made sure to have everybody pick him up and pass him around. PS- he's a tank so that wasn't as easy as it sounds!

This is the basis of Livy and Darron's time with the fam. She wouldn't leave his arms and he wouldn't put her down. It was really- very cute.

Adelaide ended up needing lots of Daddy and Mommy time. She warmed up to us eventually though- letting us play monster with her and even letting us pick her up sometimes and kiss her- for just a second.

And this is the best picture of all. We all ended up needing moments like this throughout the constant partying that was the Christmas season. A little nap and some "me time" helped everyone remain sane.

Letting Us Know

Yum yum- We had a little extra time at Daddy's work and decided to give P.W. some applesauce. Needless to say- he liked it- a lot.

Baby Name Trends

"Gone are the days when women solely took baby name suggestions from immediate family members and close friends...In 2009, 78 percent of moms Googled their choices to find out the meaning of the name, to check on its popularity and to investigate any negative associations."

I found this on a website that showed the top ten names of the year and of the decade. And I thought to myself, "What the?!"

Proudly presenting POLO WARREN, grandson of POLO and WARREN. I'd say that it has a pretty fantastic meaning, and absolutely no negative associations!

Christmas Pictures

Well so Grandma Afuvai told us it was time to get Peewee's pictures done... so here they are. At 5 months I'd say he's pretty studly! Thanks Grandma!

Dixie High School Here We Come!

So football season has well outlasted autumn this year. All the leaves have turned brown and dropped- but football soldiers on! We entered the State Playoffs and won our first game against Bountiful- a team we have beat only 3 out of the last 16 times we've played them! Make that 4 now! So this weekend we are headed down to play Dixie High in the second round and I'm so looking forward to a game in the sun!
GO LAKERS!
If we win there the next two games will be at the University of Utah- the last being the State Championship. Good luck to all the players and coaches. We love you Bonneville.

Halloween!

Halloween this year was a short but sweet night full of crazy costumes and cold weather. PW dressed up for the first time as a pirate. Since all my things were packed away I threw together what all I could find to make a sad Pippi Longstocking costume. It was nice to be dressed up though.
PW and I first made our way to Aunt Lene's house for some trick or treating then me tup with Jake for dinner and games at Aunt Mara's house! By the way- when people asked Jake what he was for Halloween he said... "The Future" Haha.

Baby Blessing

Our little PW was finally blessed at 3 months of age! It was a grand ordeal with lots of family and lots of food. Thanks to all those of you who came and brought things and took part in the party. Also a big thanks to Aunt Jolan who shared her blessing outfit with us. PW looked awesome in his white tuxedo!!

Welcome Grant Richard Watkins

I want to welcome our newest nephew (son of my friend who is like a sister to me). He was born today at 4:38pm weighing 6 lb 12 oz and was 20 inches long! We are so excited to have another boy around. Even though PW has lots of little cousins around his age- none of them live close. So we are looking forward to play dates in the future with little Grant and Aunt Amy!
Amy and Jeff- we love you both so much. Congratulations. You've been so blessed to have this little guy in your house and we know you'll enjoy every single minute of it! We love you all!

Football Season

Football season, more commonly known as flu season, is upon us. NFL Sunday is such a fun time for us as we listen to the 49ers games on the internet radio- they don't broadcast them here in Utah very often. NFL, college and high school teams have all new players and we get to know the teams all over again. We never miss a game to the local high school where Jake is a defensive coach. (Our defense is one of the best in the state!)
It has been so fun introducing Peewee to football. He loves to watch it on tv (ok so maybe it's just the fun colors but hey- it's better than that other junk on tv!) and he has only missed one of Daddy's games. He got a cold this week and the doctor told me he had to stay home. Because of this tragedy- we lost. :(

This was earlier in the season when Aunt Eth joined us at a game! Peewee loved her being there! (We miss you Aunt Eth!)

And then all of the sudden the crazy Utah weather turned cold- Overnight! Honestly- we went to bed with the A/C on and woke up and switched it to heater!

Our little guy looks good in hats!

Play Time- Jungle Friends

This is a little taste of what I hear all day long- though he is usually much louder!!! He sure loves those animals Grandma!!

Nap Time vs. Bedtime (What babies know)

You think babies don't know much, and don't care much so long as they're taken care of. They only cry when they need something, they poop and peep when they need to, and they go to sleep if they're tired. Simple life right? WRONG-O!
Among other things he knows, Peewee knows the difference between naps and a good night's sleep. I let him play in the pack 'n play with his toys during the day. He's very content to talk to his jungle friends and squeal with joy at the colors of his toys hanging above him. When he's tired, he simply snuggles his little face down in his blanket and falls asleep. NO BINKY NEEDED! It's amazing. But when bedtime rolls around a fit of crying ensues that can only be soothed by a binky and at least 10 minutes of cuddling and bouncing from Mom or Dad. What a smart little guy!

Might I also add in his defense that once he does get to sleep he sleeps for a long time! Peewee sleeps from 8:30-2:00 and 2:30-7:00 and then he just plays for a little bit while we keep on sleeping. Oh how joyous is a home with a good sleeper!

Impracticalities- Doing Things I Shouldn't

Did you know that it's impractical for a mother to pick up her child every time he cries? She should let him cry it out. Otherwise he will come to know that if he cries, he will get picked up. He will know that he has his mother wrapped around his little finger.

Did you know that's it's impractical for a mother to rock her baby to sleep? She should put him in bed while he's still awake. That way he will learn to put himself to sleep- a skill he will definitely need in the future so that's he's not always looking for his mother to comfort him.

Did you know that it's impractical to give your baby a binky before he is 2 months old, and after he is one year old? Giving a child a binky can make them dependent on it. It should only be given to a baby at bed time, when they can use it to soothe themselves- going along with that whole idea of being able to put themselves to sleep.

Did you know it's impractical for a mother breastfeed her baby all the time? If she's set on using breastmilk, she should pump it and use a bottle at least once a day. That way she won't be tied down and she'll be able to leave baby with a sitter while she goes out.

Did you know it's impractical for a mother to let her baby sleep in her bed? How are she and her husband ever going to get any alone time? How will they have a sex life? And baby will never learn to sleep by himself!

Well I guess you can call me MRS. IMPRACTICAL! Because if my baby cries, I'm going to comfort him! Of course he has me wrapped around his finger!
And I could let my son scream for 15 minutes while he tries to put himself to sleep, or I could spend 15 minutes and rock him to sleep. So what if he looks to me for comfort! That's what I'm here for!
And guess what- my baby LOVES his binky! It makes him feel safe in a way that I can't- so I'm going to let him have it!
And I won't give my baby a bottle once a day! He's only 2 months old! At this point, if I go somewhere- he comes along!
And yeah- we bring our baby into bed with us sometimes! And he loves it! And we love it! And we STILL love each other!!!

Photo Op-portunities

Photo opportunities seem to come more and more these days with little Peewee smiling all the bad from this world. A smile and a few cute noises from this boy make all my toubles melt away like an ice cream cone at a baseball game.
When we came home from a car ride the other day I found the little guy like this... He LOVES his binky. His newest thing is that he hates to lie down. He wants to sit up and greet the world. I have to tell myself that while leaning back his head on my chest may be comfortable and convenient for him, I cannot be a chair all day long. Thank heaven for bouncy seats that let him sit up quietly for 2 hours straight while I baked in the kitchen!!
Time for a new outfit!!
After this one he got mad and fed up with the photographer and bright flashbulbs in his face. Well- really he was just tired.

Video World!

This is what I get to listen to every day. I feel so lucky to be a mom and to have this wonderful perfect little boy in my home!

Polo's Polo

Isn't this cute?!

At the Temple

I heard that Uncle Eddy and Aunt Jolan were gonna be in town last Saturday and that Rayden would be staying with my parents for the day. They decided to take Rayden to the Clark Planetarium and I got to go down there and meet them! Rayden and my Dad were getting along great- and checking out everything there was to see!
Then Uncle Eddy and Aunt Jolan came over from a temple sealing and we started to eat lunch at the Gateway Mall outside. We got yet another surprise when Regan and April shared their "date weekend with us" and joined us for lunch.

"LUNCH"- by the way- was a modge podge of egg salad slapped on a few pieces of bread, a bag of cheese curd, a few veggies and dip, an orange, and a bag of cinnamon bears spread out among seven of us. Rayden was content with simply a yogurt. :)
To top off the afternoon I got to show the fam how to use our wonderful transporation system! We all hopped on the downtown Trax and rode two blocks to the temple. We took a few pictures and then rode the Trax back down to the mall to our cars. It was such a fun couple of hours that we got to spend as a family! It was so great to get to see everyone. I miss and love my family.