The new addition to the McGowan family has arrived! Our beautiful 2nd daughter was born at the Morningside Hospital on August the 10th at 07h58 am.
Katie weighed 3.18 kg and was 51 cm tall just like her sister at birth!
Hayley arrived at the hospital with her granny to meet her sister, just as we were being wheeled out of recovery so she got a huge shock not only to bump into us in the corridor, but also at seeing her tiny new sister in her mom’s arms.
Hayley is a proud and protective big sister who is loving have a ‘living doll’ in the house! It was a hard 3 nights away from mom who had to stay in hospital – but now that we are home we are enjoying the changes, challenges and joys of being a new family of 4!
- Got the safari socks ironed?
- Cameras at the ready?
- Got 3 nights free to spend away with the family when you are here?
- Walking at night prohibited due to hungry lions….
We have booked, when I say we I mean ALL of us McGowan’s have contributed towards and are preparing to take you on a luxurious bush experience! Below are some of the pictures of where we will be staying together…we hope this adds to your excitement!
62 days and counting….
Braai area and private pool – where we can sit and listen for the lions at night while roasting marshmallows together! There are no fences between us and the reserve so walking at night is not allowed and Giraffe and Elephants are known for using our patio as their stomping ground!
Two of the lodge’s bedrooms – there are bedrooms for each of us with private bathrooms all set in windows that overlook the bush..so as you lie and soak in the tub keep an eye out for prying neighbors such as warthogs, buck and monkeys!
Although we are able to go out into the reserve in our own cars during the day to look for animals – we just know that no safari is authentic enough without proper game drives including game vehicles and guide! The whole family will be whisked away on game drives and this will get us one step closer to some of the more elusive of the big 5!
Want to know a bit more? Here is a link to our lodge – called Kanya: www.safarinow.com/go/kanya which is set in the Big Five Game Reserve called Mabalingwe in Bela Bela: www.mabalingwe.co.za
Our second pregnancy journey started at the beginning of December 2009. After being 2/3 days late, I had decided (thanks to the forceful nature of some of my friends) to do a HPT (home pregnancy test).
I literally forgot how to breath when that second faint little line appeared before me. The line was feint…VERY feint but it was there. The first person I called at 6 am that morning was my personal trainer and changed our training session into a tea and chat session. I then woke Peter and waved the test furiously in front of his sleepy eyes. The poor guy thought I had lost the plot and suggested I calm down and have bloods taken as he didn’t think my feint second +ve line was worth the excitement.
Two weeks later, thanks to a trio of doctors and various blood tests, we were able to confirm, officially, that we were pregnant! It had not been an easy point to reach; the little baby who was supposedly destined to be conceived by the marvels of modern medical assistance, had proved us all wrong and she was settling in for a happy 9 months in mommy’s tummy.
Our second little girl, without even being born was teaching us the virtues of patience and joy and we look forward to many years of joy that this little miracle will bring us!
The moment South Africa had been waiting for had arrived! After years of preparations and build up the 2010 FIFA Soccer world cup was here and we were going to experiance it first hand!
At 10 am the morning of the 11 June, with our tickets clutched firmly in our hands we started the journey which would end at Soccer city where we would be part of not only the Opening Ceremony but also to watch Bafana Bafana take on Mexico in the opening game at 18h00 pm. To say the excitement in the stadium was electric is an understatement. The sea of yellow and green supporters shirts with the wave of vibrant coloured vuvuzelas everywhere – it was a moment that we will not soon forget and one that made us proud to be South African!
I was lucky enough to take some photo’s of the old Hillbrow hospital. It was closed down in the early 90′s.
And is about to be restored with an investment amount of over 100 Million Rand.
Must say currently this place is a Hollywood Horror Movie directors dream location.
Got some incredible photo’s, just wish I could have had some more time there, oh and a Tripod 
Check out my gallery for more pics.
Photo Taken In The Pilanesburg Game Reserve At A 5 Star Game Lodge Called Ivory Tree. For More Pictures please See The Gallery Page.
