This week we’re catching up with our pals Will and Katie Fowler and their adorable daughter, Phoebe! Read on to find out the fun way they revealed their pregnancy to Will’s family, how they decided on Phoebe’s name, and lots more below!
Tell us about your family!
Hi! We are the Fowlers! My name is Katie, my husband Will and I recently welcomed our first child, Phoebe Margaret Fowler, on June 30, 2019. Will and I were both born at Glens Falls Hospital and have lived in the area all our lives. We met after coming home from college and knew we wanted to stay here to start our family. A few years ago, we bought a house about a mile from downtown and love being so close to everything (especially our friends and families!).
Sharing the News
How did you share your pregnancy news with your family and friends?
We actually waited about four months to tell our family and friends, because I had a miscarriage with our first pregnancy. We know it’s a sensitive topic that most people keep private, but I wanted to take this opportunity to let other mamas know that it’s more common than most people think. Talking to other families who had been through the same thing helped us process it, so I want others to know that they aren’t alone out there! When I got pregnant for the second time, we allowed ourselves to be cautiously optimistic, so when we finally did share the news, we wanted to make it special. We actually filmed my parents’ reaction, so that’s a touching memory we’ll cherish forever. And now we’re so blessed to have our little rainbow baby!
Did you find out the gender prior to giving birth? Any inklings as to whether it was a boy or a girl, and were you right?
We did not find out! We both love surprises...but to be honest, we also tried to figure it out at every ultrasound. I was convinced we were having a boy, but Will has four sisters, so he had a suspicion another girl was on the way.
Did you have a gender reveal? If not, did you do anything special to share the news?
We didn’t have a gender reveal, since we didn’t know, but with Will’s family, we revealed our pregnancy during a game of Family Feud (Will’s family is obsessed with game shows). Survey says…we’re having a baby!
Photo courtesy of Will + Katie Fowler
All about PHOEBE
Our sweet girl was born on Sunday, June 30th at 1:56 AM. She weighed 8 lbs. 8.9 oz. and was 20 inches long.
How did you decide on her name?
Our most favorite thing to do together is birdwatching. Will’s sisters got us into it a few years ago and we were instantly hooked. One of the first times we went birding together, we saw a little, fluffy brown bird that cheerily bobbed it’s tail—the Eastern Phoebe. We thought it was a really cute name that you don’t hear all that often and that was that! Her middle name, Margaret, is for my Grandma Peggy (who just celebrated her 65th wedding anniversary last week!).
What are a few things you love about Phoebe so far?
Um, everything! I love how she gently tugs at the back of my hair when she’s sleepy. I love how she shrieks when she gets excited, especially when she sees me walk in the door after work. I get so excited I echo her squeals too! Will loves how she wakes up every morning with a giant grin on her face and when she looks deeply into his face like she’s trying to memorize it.
What are some of your favorite things to do together?
Phoebe loves to show off all of her physical abilities! Rolling, bouncing, sitting up, and (almost) standing. She’s working on crawling in every direction but forward. Phoebe is such a calm baby, it’s so easy and fun to take her out and about; to visit friends, hang out with family or go birding! Will loves to watch Syracuse basketball games with her because she gets really excited when Dad jumps up and cheers.
Any similarities - in appearance or personality - to the two of you?
When she was first born, we both thought she looked a lot like me. But Will’s physical traits are slowly starting to appear. We both have blue eyes, so we were happy to pass those along. Her hair (what little there is) gets more and more reddish everyday, so we think she might end up being strawberry blonde. She’s very social, like Will. She’s pretty stubborn, like both of us. And she’s also very serious most of the time, which she definitely doesn’t get from either of us.
Photos courtesy of Will + Katie Fowler
On Parenthood
What’s your favorite part about parenthood thus far? How about the biggest challenge or most surprising thing?
My favorite part of parenthood so far is being her everything. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to meet all her needs and calm her down when no one else can. My biggest challenge has been going back to work. We are beyond fortunate to have my mom take care of Phoebe full time, but it doesn’t make me miss her any less each day.
What are you most looking forward to with the addition of Phoebe to your family?
We can’t wait to hear her squeaky little voice! It’s easy to get ahead of ourselves, but we can’t help but get excited thinking about what interests she’ll have, talents she’ll possess and all the things she’ll teach us about ourselves, too.
What has being a parent taught you?
I didn’t think I could love Will any more than I did, until I saw the way he looks at Phoebe. In terms of lessons learned, becoming parents has given us both an entirely new respect for our own parents. So thanks mom and dad...and sorry for all the grief!
How about the best advice someone has given you?
It sounds really cliche, but the best advice we received was to enjoy every moment. These first 7 months have flown by in a heartbeat. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day bustle of diapers and laundry and work, but we have to stop and constantly remind ourselves that they’re only little once!
And your advice for new parents?
Don’t compare yourselves to other parents! There are so many baby blogs and conflicting opinions out there that it’ll make your head spin. It’s easy to feel like you aren’t doing enough or aren’t doing it right. You know what’s best for your baby and your family!
Photo courtesy of Will + Katie Fowler
Just for Fun
What are the top few products that got you through the first few months?
What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff
SwaddleMe
A good white noise machine (portable ones are great!)
Fischer-Price Sit-Me-Up (when you just need to put her down for a second!)
If you could have one night out with a trusted babysitter, what would you do?
We’d probably go to our favorite downtown spot, Raul’s, for margaritas and tacos (but of course, we’d have to check The Weekender first, to see what’s going on!)
hide-ad
The New Additions Series is made possible by Glens Falls Hospital.
At Glens Falls Hospital, we know how special that first touch with your newborn is. That’s why we’ve taken strides to provide the most intimate, state-of-the-art accommodations for delivering your little bundle of joy at the Joyce Stock Snuggery.
Thank you for supporting the businesses and organizations that support Glens Falls Living!