Friends of the Baby

So, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I have to do better about taking photos of the people who come to love on Anna Kate and who spoil Mark and I by giving us adult company and a break from holding our sweet girl.

Here is Anna Kate being held for the first time by Richard, a friend of ours who works with Mark. Not pictured, Shanda who has visited a few times and has brought Anna the cutest clothes! (She picked out that adorable denim romper!)

Next is Anna Kate with one of my best friends from college, Torrey. Torrey and her husband Matt moved to Mexico to teach and are back in the states for a month visiting. This is the only photo I've got, even though she has seen Anna twice! We had to capture the little diva in her sunglasses out for her first lunch on the town.

Lastly, here is my best friend from high school (middle school, elementary school...) who has come by many times to see Anna Kate and spend time with mommy. She is rocking her Appalachian bathing suit that Erin's sister, Monica, got for her. I can't wait to put her in it!

Thank you to all our wonderful friends who have shown their love and support as our family has grown!

Best Buddies

So, somehow through all of the play dates, lunches, and dinners, Anna Kate's best bud Paxton and his parents Maggie and Grayson have never appeared on the blog! Maggie and I taught together at Pine Lake, and she and Grayson have been a wonderful resource for advice and sympathy. Now, Paxton is being a wonderful resource for Anna Kate on learning how to do things! Here are his lessons:

"Anna Kate, this is how you do tummy time."

"And this is how you play with toy keys."

"This is my mommy, Maggie, she will make you smile!"

"This is how you roll over." (Love Maggie's teacher finger!)

"This is how you don't touch the baby" (Note hands being held back)

"This is how you're cute for the camera!"

Swing Life

We had to capture this moment on camera, as it has never occurred at the Rotman house before: Anna Kate fell asleep in her swing! We had always heard about babies loving swings, falling asleep in them, spending hours in them... never Anna. Then, we took her on an adventure to Lowe's hardware and wore her out... She just couldn't hang when we asked her to help clean up in the garage later.

It's hard work watching Mom & Dad clean.

Pound it.

Phone Pictures!

It's time to dump my favorite camera phone photos on the blog! These span the past six weeks or so.

Growing Baby Girl!

I started looking back at Anna Kate's weekly photos and I cannot believe how much she has grown! Just in the four photos below, pictured at 1-15 weeks, she has become much more of a baby, no longer an infant!

Crazy how time flies!

15 Weeks!

For the first time, maybe ever, I am posting Anna Kate's Weekly photo on the blog the same day I took the pictures. Don't expect this to happen often. These were just too cute not to post immediately.

This week, Anna Kate rolled over for the first time (only once, we have not seen a repeat), she spends more of her awake time smiling, and she is growing like a weed! For those that don't know, Miss 15 Weeks is now wearing 6 month pajamas because her toes were getting cramped in the 3 month jammies. She is going to be tall like her Mom & Dad (not that she had a choice). She is also beginning to love on a blanket we have chosen for her, which we hope will help with nap time. Mostly this has to do with the fact that anything she can touch and grab now goes in her mouth...

Sorry for the picture overload. I couldn't choose!

Tell me I'm not cute... You can't do it.

Mmm... tasty fingers.

No really. They're great! (Also showing Anna Kate's new trick- gagging herself)

Can I get this blanket into my mouth?!

Look, I have a tongue!

Love bug.

Serious modeling face.

Being 15 Weeks is SO fun!

US National Whitewater Center

On Wednesday, Anna Kate took an adventure with us to the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte for Mark's summer work party. We spent the day in the shade watching rafters come down the river, and enjoying the company of friends. Anna especially enjoyed meeting Taegan and Raelynn, who showed her how to play with her toys!

As the day came to a close, Anna Kate was kicking it on a blanket when to our surprise, she rolled over from her tummy to her back with no hesitation! She is getting so big! Here are some photos from our day:

Ahh... soothing water sounds. Just like the sleep sheep.

Grandpa?!

Dad... did you see Grandpa?

Here they come again...

Yeah... Anna Kate will save the rafting for next year.

Grabbing onto Toys!

As I mentioned in her 14 week update, Anna Kate is starting to grab onto toys unassisted. The first time it happened, I wasn't even paying attention. We had a showing for the house, so I was picking up in her room and I looked down to see her holding onto the frog.. and putting it in her mouth!

Mmm.. Frog legs.

Hands full!

Mommy, I love playtime!

14 Weeks!

Week 14 was a quiet week around the Rotman house. Anna Kate stayed at home all week so as to get back on somewhat of a normal schedule. Anna is starting to have some longer nap times, although it is not consistent. This week, she really began to grab things on her own! Before, we would open her hand and place the toy in her hand, but now if you put items close to her she will grab onto them and hold on!


These pictures were taken in her "Lake Norman Stork Landing" T-shirt, which was the first clothing she ever wore. I cannot believe how small it is on her now! Her little belly pops out when she isn't minding her manners and pulling it down.

She loves tutus... They're fun to grab onto!

Beautiful baby! No smiles this week, though.

Anna Kate was tired of photos...

Happy Father's Day!

Anna Kate is very lucky to have a wonderful Daddy who cares for her very much. I am very lucky to call this man my husband. Thank you for everything you do for both of us, Mark, we love you so much and our favorite part of the day is when you come home to us! Thank you for providing for our family and for giving me the blessing of being able to stay home and raise our sweet girl. Happy first Father's Day, WE LOVE YOU!

Sweet Baby Smiles!

Slowly (and I mean slowly) Anna Kate is beginning to give us more regular smiles. We are hoping she will grow out of her reflux issues and that will allow her to be a giggling smiling girl all of the time! The changing table is one of her favorite places, and you can usually get a smile out of her by making silly noises and faces!

Anna Kate's First Day of School!

Last Thursday, Anna came to school with me so that all if her Pine Lake friends could see her! Gigi came with us, which made it much easier, and Nana picked up Anna Kate just in time for nap time!

Here is Anna having a stare down with the class caterpillar.

And here is Anna meeting one of my students, Drew. She loved him!

I am very glad Anna's real first day if school is a long time from now!

Daddy and Me

After a long week, Mark finally got to spend some time with his girl!

13 Weeks/3 Months

Week 13 was tough for Miss Anna Kate. This week, I (Sara) went to work for a few days to wrap up loose ends and say goodbye to my coworkers. Mark worked many late nights and didn't get to see Anna for a few days (she was asleep when he got home). Anna went to stay with her Nana while I worked, and Nana's house is too interesting to sleep in! Gotta keep an eye on those fans! But, despite being a fussy overtired girl, she is apparently getting ready to sleep through the night- Sunday night she slept 7-5:30! She is getting back to normal after her crazy week and even gave some smiles for the camera!