New Sleep Spots

Anna Kate has been doing wonderful sleeping in her crib lately. You can put her down awake, and usually there is little or no fussing and she is asleep within five minutes. In places other than home, we are working on her napping and sleeping skills. At the lake, she caught on by the second day (and then we went home..) and we are working on her sleeping at Nana's house on Mommy's Wednesdays out. Hopefully next week, while I have to work for a few days she will learn to nap well at Nana's house!

Here is Anna Kate taking a Sunday nap after church in Nana and Grampa's bed... she slept there for almost two and a half hours! Probably worn out from being in the nursery!

And here is Anna trying to fall asleep while Aunt Lisa bounced her. Aunt Lisa is the best bouncing machine! You don't even have to put quarters in!

Marshall Visitors!

This weekend, Anna Kate's second cousin Kristina was in town from Alabama, so she came to visit! Her Great Uncle Brian and Great Aunt Kathy came as well. Brian got a nice surprise when Anna spit up on him, his shirt, his shorts, and shoes. She knew Uncle Brian would get his payback, so she played the "innocent baby" card.

This face means you're about to get soaked!

Love from cousin Kristina!

Love how this one turned out!

Roadtrip to the Lake!

Since it was Memorial Day weekend, and Mark and I opted out of the yearly Canoefest trip (it would have been our 6th year!), we headed up to spend the weekend with my parents at their lake house in Virginia. Since Robert and Laura did go on the trip, we were also able to spend time with our niece Avery. It was a fun weekend, and it gave us a taste of what having two might be like... we will be sure and wait a little while for that, though!

Avery reading "Goodnight Moon" to Baby Anna

Anna Kate looking on intently. "Goodnight Moon" is sure to be one of her favorite books too.

Kicking to show her love of her big cousin.

Avery looking cute.

This is a milestone. Avery really began to love on Baby Anna this weekend.

Gigi got her fill of granddaughters and reading books this weekend!

11 Weeks!

Week 11 has been wonderful! Anna Kate is really getting into a schedule, and sleeps well most nights. She is much happier and smiles during much of her awake time at home with Mommy. Time continues to fly by!

Smiles for Daddy. 

Yuck, peas. Oh wait, I don't eat solid food yet! 

Whatcha lookin' at?!

Adorable Moments

I have been better this week than most at getting the camera out and taking pictures. Here are some moments from the past week of Anna Kate, being her adorable self.

Snuggles with Daddy on the back porch.

First time in the Bumbo seat, reaching for a banana.

Daddy... you're funny. Funny looking.

Meeting Faith for the first time!

Sunshine Cutie!

Lately, Anna Kate and I have been spending a good part of her awake time outdoors on the back porch under the umbrella. She will lay on the changing pad for almost 30 minutes, kicking around and smiling. I had to take some pictures of this adorable girl enjoying the sunshine!

10 Weeks

Week 10 has shown major changes around the Rotman household! In Greensboro, Anna Kate slept very well and was very awake and alert around my parents house. Then, this week we got two nights in a row of 6-6.5 hour sleep stretches... amazing! Anna is also beginning to giggle a small amount. We can't wait for that first real laugh!

No smiles for the camera for her 10 week pictures..

First Mother's Day

We didn't get any pictures of Anna and Mommy on Mother's Day, but we did take these at the end of the day, where Anna Kate was giving me her best faces. I am so lucky to have such a beautiful girl to call my own!

Anna Kate and Avery Jean

So, as I shared yesterday, we spend Mother's Day weekend in Greensboro. This was the second time Anna got to be around her cousin Avery. Avery was a little more interested in Anna this time, but was still shy around "Baby Anna". Avery enjoyed being loved on by her family, and even showed Anna Kate some love by the end of the weekend.

Avery being silly.

Playing with magnets with Uncle Mark.

My mom worked on Avery's potty training while she was in Greensboro. She would put Avery on the potty and read to her while Avery "tried". While we were making lunch, we looked into the hallway to see that Avery had taken the stuffed bear, and put him on the potty and was reading to him. In the second photo you can see that she is checking to see if he did anything. Later, I snuck a grape into the potty, and I only wish I caught the expression on her face when she checked the potty to see that there was something in there! We flushed the grape together..

On a walk in the woods with Uncle Mark.

Following the beagles! I love these photos. they are almost like out of a story book.

Had to be carried back by Ru. She would have walked forever.

Checking out a centipede with Uncle Mark. I just love her little hand holding onto him!

Finally, Avery showing Anna Kate what a good big cousin she is. For those of you that don't know, that blanket is Avery's "Bebe", which she carries everywhere and must have. When we were walking around in the yard, my Mom thought Anna looked cold and asked Avery if Anna could borrow her Bebe. Avery slowly walked over and handed over the Bebe and watched quietly as baby Anna used her blanket. What a good big cousin!

First Overnight Trip!

Last weekend, we went to Greensboro for Mother's Day to see my parents. Mark knew ahead of time that he was going to have to work late on Friday and for a while on Saturday plus Anna had a fever and was irritable from her shots, so Nana came up to help watch Anna while I packed up the van to take Anna Kate to see Gigi and Ru. I think I did okay at not completely over packing, although I am sure I never would have left the house Friday without Mark's Mom's help! Thank you Cheryl!

Here are some photos from the weekend with Anna Kate (I will have another post on my niece Avery, since I took lots of pictures of her!)

Aunt Laura giving Anna Kate a bottle!

Being loved on by her Uncle David!

Just call him Super Uncle! Holding baby Anna and playing with Avery!

This is where Anna Kate spent most of her time in Greensboro... in Gigi's arms!

 Happy Mother's Day Gigi! Mom and her two granddaughters!

9 Weeks/2 Months

Sorry for the delay! I hope I don't get behind on this project too often. These photos were actually taken a week ago, one day after Anna turned 2 months, and the day before she was 9 weeks. We went to Greensboro for the weekend, and then Mark decided to clean up the laptop, plus there is this little baby to love on all the time...

Going to the Doctor!

Anna celebrated her two month birthday (2 month photos to come!) at the doctors office. Despite being poked and prodded (and crying the entire 25 minutes there) she was a happy little girl laying on the table waiting for the nurse to give her shots. Obviously that all changed after the shots...

11 pounds 15 ounces and 23 inches long! Anna Kate is still rocking it in the 75th percentile!

Outside

The weather has been pretty unpredictable lately in North Carolina. Instead of a sunny May, we have had rainy and cool days. When the sun comes out, and it isn't too hot, I try to take Anna out for some fresh air.

Here is Anna out on a walk. She actually stayed awake (and happy!) for about 20 minutes. This is a record, as she normally is either crying or asleep!

I also took Anna out to enjoy some sunshine in the yard one day. She really enjoyed kicking around on a blanket in the shade.