The McGowans': February 2012

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy <3 Day!

We are settling into our new place pretty good, although we are still unpacking and we have a book shelf left to put together, then get our bedroom and DVDs up, we will be good.

Eric has already been working overtime, and he plans to do that quite a bit this year, since he has the opportunity. He really does enjoy his jobs, but the hours are difficult to get used to. He starts working on his own in 2 weeks or so... then he doesn't need any more training. His commute is only 15 minutes, so it isn't too bad!

Fayola is adjusting finally to her new home... however we live on the first floor and the people above us are up all the time... and making noise as they walk, which has not helped Fayola's sleeping. So... I got a HEPA air filter that is a little noisy for some white noise in the background.

She is really developing a stubborn, fiesty personality... not all the time, just when she doesn't want to take a nap or wants to get off the ground. She prefers standing... so she may not crawl. She hasn't started yet, but that's just fine because we have to unpack.

Finding recycling around here is tough! And Whole Foods is 30 mintues away... so I am driving far to get groceries and find recycling. You know me and recycling... so we have had cardboard boxes stacked everywhere. Slowly we are getting this place cleaned up. I continue to stay home with Fayola full-time and it has been a wonderful blessing from God. We are starting some basic sign language and we will be going to music class in two weeks!

We are getting ready for Ayamm-i-Ha, a Baha'i Holiday of 4 days starting Feb. 26th - March 1st (so 5 this year due to leap year), days are full of special acts of charity, visiting with family and friends, and gift giving.

This year I am going to raise money for the American Cancer Society in honor of Carol Scott, a beloved woman with a huge heart and mother of my dear friend Adam Scott... more details are to come.

We are going up to spend time with Aunt Angie in Evanston today! Can't wait!

Much much love (especially today!!)
The McGowans'

Happy Valentine's Day!! (6 1/2 months)

Chunky monkey!

I love you!

7 months

1st Valentine from cousin Isabelle :)

What ?!? I'm not smiling

Standing tall!

I love my Daddy!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Chicagoians

Well here we are in Chicago, so close to my sister, the Baha'i House of Worship and the windy city!
We made it here safe and sound, however... moving with a 6 month old is VERY different than when we were just Eric and I. By that I mean... slower. We had to hire movers to help us move into our place, and I will always do that from now on... it was so much easier. So we actually live in a 2 bdrm apartment in Romeoville, IL, pretty nice place.

Eric started his orientation Jan. 23rd, so Fayola and I were left to pack up together all week... plus she got her first fever after immunizations and she was fussy. He started his job at the Joliet Caterpillar plant on Monday and he enjoys it so far.

I have started my new full-time job, staying home with Fayola. I may try to treat a few patients a week, or start a post-partum program for women with a OB/GYN group or PT clinic. We will see how this month unfolds.

Fayola will be 7 months on Sunday, 2/5/11~ She weighs in at 17 lbs 2 oz (at her 6 month appt she was 16 lbs. 14 oz. and 25 1/2 inches long) We don't have our next appointment until she is 9 months old.
These past few months Fayola continues to develop her personality, she does like to talk, but she is bashful at first! She loves her dog Chloe, every time I get her out of her crib she looks down at the ground for Chloe and says "Chhhh..." She is starting to be more interested in socializing vs. playing by herself and loves to have mommy in sight. She has started to wake up again at night, starting the solids worked the opposite effect... she is up more often :) She is so close to being mobile... ahhh! We got to child proof everything.
Milestones for Dec/Jan (6-7th months):
1st teeth! 12/26/11
First foods: oatmeal cereal- yum!
                   bananas- yum yum
                   avacado- yummy!
                   sweet potato- asi asi
                   apple- not a favorite
                   peas- ooo! this is different
Transition from sitting to tummy 2/1/12
Rolling machine (especially when changing diapers) 12/20/11
Sitting independently 1/15/12
Saying Maaa Maaa Maaa (when she cries)
Saying "Baa Baa Baa" (her favorite noise)... and all the jibberish
Loves tummy time (fully extends elbows and scoots forward and back & pivots) 1/23/12
Drinks out of a cup

I didn't do such a hot job keeping track of everything for Fayola with me leaving my job, working long hours and trying to pack, I will do a better job for you Fayola.

We took Valentine's pictures of Fayola that I will post during Valentine's Day!

Much love,

The McGowans'
(In the pictures below Fayola is 6/12 months old - in her 7th month here!)

Playing in her new room!

(she loves carpet, no more hardwood floors + Chloe is in heaven too)

Improved pincer grip and holding objects

Model pose #1

Strike a pose!

Taken this morning 2/3/12-- bouncing in the Jumparoo

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Eric's graduation

Eric graduated on Dec. 17th, 2011!! The weekend was one big surprise! His family drove in from Pittsburgh, PA. We threw a surprise graduation party, his friends took him on a surprise disc golf outing, and his friends, family and I surprised him with a disc golf basket (portable)! He has wanted one forever (thanks to his friend Kyle for getting me the connections I needed, the thing weighs 60#).

I made a toast for Eric, and started crying, I couldn't finish my toast. Here's the rest of my toast:

"Eric, I admire your perseverance and the risks you took to complete your education. You followed your intuition by enrolling in the MET program at ISU, and today you now have a position at Catepillar! For 3 years you have searched far and wide to find a career to support your family... you have been through many tough, and at times, hopeless job searches. Baha'u'llah teaches to be patient in tests and trials. You demonstrated patience during these past 3 years, and God has blessed you with a beautiful opportunity. I admire your strength and courage, not only as a man, but as a friend, a husband, and a father. Thank you for your sacrifices, I love you."

Cheers to a new journey in our life together!

We will keep you updated friends and family.

Love,
The McGowans'

Maria, Jimmy, Dad & Katie all came out to surprise Eric for his graduation!

We are so proud of you Eric!

So sweet

Serious girl

The Mathews' (missing Lana though) we love you guys!

Surprise!! Disc golf basket

Thanks Adam for hosting

5 months

Well I apologize for the long delay in posting!

We had such a beautiful fall... nice weather 50s/60s sometimes 70s... not much rain. Then the rain set in starting in December, and it really reminded me of Seattle... oh how I do miss the misty mountains :( I also had my co-workers come in from Seattle to teach a course, and it was so great to take a course with them, they are so bright and intelligent and a gift to the world of healing!

We are in a very interesting chapter in our lives... Eric graduated and officially an Engineer :) I am so darn proud of him, he decided to make a change and it is really paying off. He has been offered an Engineering job at Catepillar with the Leadership program, and we will be MOVING to Chicago in 3 weeks!!

Fayola is 6 months old and is really changing. Her personality has started to blossom, she still is reserved, very cautious, observant, starting to get frustrated when she can't figure something out (sounds a little like me :-) ), independent, bashful, and so wonderful! (And she weighs in at 16 lbs. 8 oz) The 5th month (between 4-6 months) Fayola really changed a lot, socially, motor development, and all.

Milestones for 5 months:
Sitting forward on her own starting on her 5th month Birthday
Reaches for food and cups
Plays a game of peek-a-boo (or shying away when someone smiles at her)
Jumping in jumparoo!
Laughing more at Chloe
"Hi"... it sounds like it at least (babbles at her toes a lot)
Sitting on her own (
Two bottom teeth!! (Dec. 26th)
Rolls over and over and over (tummy to back, back to tummy)- Dec. 26th
Traveled to Cleveland (we drove in a snow storm) and Pittsburgh
1st Holiday season with family and friends

I am constantly thanking God for this gem in my life, she has given me a new insight on life. That we can not be prepared for every test and obstacle... I've learned the lesson of detachment on a whole new level, and adaptation to change. Every moment spent with my daughter will be long lasting and I feel her soul vibrating as we stare into each other's eyes smiling, it is wonderful! She has such purity and light, and I hope to continue to foster this and enable her to have "thoughts that will change this world into a rose garden".

My job will be coming to an end on Jan. 20th, and we will travel for a week visiting family. We will officially move to the southwest suburbs of Chicago Jan. 28th-29th. I am looking to work PRN at a skilled nursing facility and one day/week in an OP clinic (to keep practicing my manual skills). So I will be able to stay home with Fayola most of the week!! :)

I will send out an e-card with my new address once we move in.

Much Love,
The McGowans'