St Patrick's Day

Here's Fayola being a goofy girl

The weather is ABSOLUTELY beautiful! Can we say climate change, they say we are expriencing the increase in CO2 from the late 1980s.  People in Chicago seem to be kind of to themselves and not super kind, but we are trying to fit in. 

Today Fayola said her first word "Da-Da"! So exciting, I would say since Sunday 3/11 Fayola has really been communicating with a lot of babbling. She also has been trying to sign "all done" after eating. 

Other milestones in 9th month:

Army crawl ! (I can get her to her knees and hands and she stays there for like 2 seconds)

Gives kisses with an open mouth

Learning to use the potty (we are successful maybe 60% of the time :) most of the time she goes #2 on potty, the #1 situation is a little more tricky to figure out (just in case everyone is interested :)

Music class (she is learn to use mallet and sticks with beat, and of course singing and dancing)

Turning pages in books (she loves when we read)

Waves "hi" and sticks out tongue

3rd tooth all the way in... waiting on the top two to come down completely

We are headed to Indiana next week! I am so excited to visit and see all my friends and family, and I get to introduce Fayola to new baby Addison, she is only 2 weeks old :). Also can't wait to introduce Fayola to baby Harlan and baby Forrest both born this month! Much love to their mommies and Dads!

Much Love,

The McGs

8 months

Here is Fayola at 8 months. She is silly as can be, I tried to get her smiling but she just likes to move a lot when she smiles.

After a walk in Windy City

With her favorite toy



Just the beginnings of her showing her frustration

Happy Ayyam-i-Ha!

We are finally settled in here in our bungalow in Chicago! Windy windy Chicago! It is not the nicest time of year to move to a new place, in the winter. I am very much looking forward to spring time to go on long walks and enjoy the outdoors with a little one, who is getting so big!

8 month milestones:
Standing up and playing with support
Transitions from sitting to belly and back/side
Eye-hand coordination very impressive!
Pincer grip has improved A LOT, she finds the smallest things on the carpet for me
3rd tooth 2/22/12
4th/5th tooth (on top) 3/2/12
Continues to talk and babble (especially when I lay her down in her crib, baaabaaa, laaalaa, gaaagaa, daaadaaa) the one word she knows really well is "Chloe" (her dog)
Scooting on her belly, semi-crawl

A few other events for Fayola: we started Elimination communication (potty on the big girl toilet) just to get her used to the toilet... no pressure just a trial, we've had great days! and not so good ones :)

1st Music class 2/28/12: in Naperville, IL at Elma's music center (we sing, explore instruments, dance) , she is in a class full of toddlers but she was snorting and smiling the whole time!


1st Ayyam-i-Ha Celebration!! Fayola enjoyed the paper and bags more than the toys, she got some clothes, straw cups, blocks, instruments, and the music class :)
Ayyam-i-Ha is a 4 day celebration on the Baha'i Calendar with acts of gift giving, charity, and fellowship (this year was leap year so there were 5 days!), all in preparation for the Baha'i Fast March 2nd - 20th.

Our decorations (Eric got beautiful flowers)



 So sweet :)

Eric is now on his own at work as a supervisor, he enjoys his independence now that he is done being trained. He works 12 shift hours 5-7 days/week so far, but it will slow down a little bit for the month of March.

 Superbowl celebration! (with her Steeler's outfit)

Good-bye NFL season

We are happy and I have enjoyed Fayola tremendously. Life is simple. Looking forward to getting outdoors and visiting family at the end of March!! We go to Indiana for a good bit of time.

Much Love and warmest wishes
The McGowans'

 fascinated with Chloe's paws

Waiting for Springtime