Summer Fun

Well the unofficial end to summer starts Labor Day weekend, pools close up, no more kiddos running around during the day, no more fireworks.... and the hotness changes to the BEST Fall weather ever!

I, for one, am truly looking forward to the Fall... full of beautiful trees, football, apple cider, pumpkin pie, and Fayola's 1st interactive Halloween! It's a process in the making... but think Fayola is going to be a really cute cow :) She loves to say "moooo" with every animal she sees (even though she knows the sound they make... and actually the mooing is less and less now-a-days) Also, Eric celebrates his 30th Birthday!, we go to Disney World and visiting Brown County, Indiana staying in a beautiful cabin there!

This summer has been truly sweet and serene. Fayola has visited and had many visitors from family and friends. We've enjoyed the pool we have here, she was getting the hang of floating... now she just wants to walk up and down the steps then eat her snacks..."mmmm, snack!" As I could of guessed, Fayola is full of many words, her vocabulary is 50+ words and she is starting to make small phrases. But most important, she can sign and say "please", "thank you", "excuse me", manners first :). She is full of life & energy, as every child is, but still you act crazy to this girl when you first meet her and she will just stare at you.... everyone is like "does she talk?"... and I'm like "oh buddy"... and it's just begun.

Good news for Eric is the strike ended at his work, so all of his Union workers are back after having 4 months off... it's been a looong 4 months of 100+ hours of overtime each month. So, he stops working overtime and I will pick up some hours on the weekend starting in November and until we move to our next destination.

Fayola and I will not be able to do music class this Fall b/c there were not enough participants, so we will be doing Toddler Time at the library starting this Monday and we are hoping to start the Spanish for Toddlers. We try to find ways to get her involved with other toddlers and learn. I have been able to stay home with Fayola for a good portion of this year, and I am will be sad to leave her to go to work, but she will be with her Daddy so it won't be so bad.

We continually are grateful for the support from our family and friends, and wish you all lived next door to us. Please say a prayer for my Grandfather, he is going to need the added strength this month as he puts up a fight.

Our love always sent to you.
(Pictures to follow soon!)

Fayola turns ONE!

Fayola is 1! 

We celebrated Fayola's 1st Birthday in Cleveland, OH with our dear family and friends. We didn't have everyone there, but I know everyone was there in spirit.

Milestones:

Many new words (flower, ooooo water!, bird, plant, Elmo, soo big, potty, banana, pine tree... the list goes on...)

Cruising along on furniture (forward and side stepping)

Walks with one hand hold

Sleeping through the night (11 months)

Claps

Swimming!

Climbing like a monkey

Stands alone without support 

Gives kisses and hugs (sometimes just make the sound effects and don't give them all the time)

Ate dog food.. haha! (you got Chloe's food within 2 seconds)

Working on getting 4 more teeth

Weigh in:

19 lbs. 5 oz.

29 1/2 inches long

Fayola your personality: 

You continue to be more and more social, saying "hi" to each stranger, so gentle with your toys when I ask you to be (then you go crazy when it is okay), you love to sleep with your Teddy and Snuggles :), you continue to analyze the situation before you act, has an long attention span when trying to figure out a new toy, you aren't a fan of being the center of attention with big crowds (only Mommy and Daddy), love music and dancing, love to EAT.

It has been a joy this past year having you as a part of our lives, Fayola. Thank you for your light and energy... your soul is so pure and beautiful. I love you beyond syllables or sounds. 



Thank you to all the family and friends that helped Fayola celebrate her 1st year! We love you all!

Swimming on Birthday!

1st Birthday cupcake! (Thank you cousin Taylor)

Thank you Aunt Lisa for all of your help!

Birthday presents!

Aunt Maria is the best!

We love you Baba!

Yummy Food!!

Birthday cake... hmmm?

Not sure what to think of everyone singing...

Make a wish... or look at the camera :)

What is going on?

That is good!

Think I will have some more... cautiously

Oh yeah!

Love my cell phone already.. thanks Uncle Terry and cousin Katie

Let's climb

Grandpa the Great, Granny, Uncle Terry & Cousin Katie

Grandpa is reasoning with you

Grandpa Tom getting some quality time

The McGowan clan

Aunts & Uncles rock!

Give me a kiss cousin Jimmy! 

McGowans'

A Father's Love

First time in Daddy's arms

Holding Daddy's hand while you sleep

Snuggling

Naperville, IL (Memorial Day weekend)

From the moment I met Eric, he expressed how much he couldn't wait to be a father. God has blessed Fayola with an amazing father, he loves so strong, guides so gently, and will always be a pillar of strength for Fayola. Happy Father's Day to my first and forever love.