Drew's first ever plane ride

Drew got to go on his very first plane ride today. He and Mommy went to Texas to visit Grandma and Grandpa Duong while Daddy is in Hong Kong (he'll be away for two whole weeks!) Mommy is proud to say that he was a perfect angel the whole time. He did get a little fussy towards the end but Mommy thinks it's because he knew the plane was about to land and wanted his bottle. Anyway, in the rush of things, Mommy totally forgot to take pics to document the occasion. Oh well, we'll get them on the way back to Chicago. We'll be in Dallas for two whole weeks!

Look at all the colors

Our little Drew has started to become more aware of all his senses these days. He can spend up to 45 minutes cooing at his mobile or at all the fun toys on his play mat. He has even started to swat at the toys hanging on the play mat. We're not sure if he knows we're watching him or not, but he sure likes to talk to the baby monitor while he's laying in his crib. And although we try not to let him watch TV he still sneaks a peek every chance he gets. Other than all the new sights and sounds, he also thinks his hands are quite yummy these days. He just can't get enough of them!

Watch Drew and his mobile.

Drew chats with mommy

Rough day for Drew

Drew went to the pedi for his 2 month checkup today. He now weighs a healthy 10 lbs 6 oz. According to the doctor he is in the 25th percentile of normal growth. The doctor said Drew is in fantastic shape. Anyway, the visit also came with some battle wounds for Drew...he got four immunization shots, two in each leg. Needless to say he wasn't a happy camper the rest of the day!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Today is Mommy's B-day! Drew and Mommy spent the day relaxing at home. Then later that afternoon we went to Mommy and Baby pilates class (ended up being step aerobics to Mommy's surprise!) Anyway, Mommy broke a sweat for the first time in a long time and will be in pain for the next few days!! But it's all worth it. Drew was such a good boy, he slept through the whole class.

So after class was over, Mommy and Daddy headed off on our first date night. We went to dinner at Mirai Sushi (YUM! Mommy's favorite sushi restaurant.) Uncle Vi came over to babysit Drew. They had a great time bonding with each other. Anyway, Mommy got lots of nice flowers from Aunt Lesley and Ms. Tonya. Thanks again ladies!

Like Father, Like Son?

Daddy Swecker at 1 month

Drew at 8 wks

Drew demonstrates bath time

First, you have to get all naked...yup the diaper comes off too.

Then you get all lathered up with soap.

Next you have to rinse off the soap.

Finally you dry off with a towel.

Easy enough...of course clothing is optional afterwards.

Shop 'til you drop!

Auntie Lesley came up from Dallas to visit this weekend. She and Mommy got to spend a girl's day out on Saturday and went to brunch, had their nails done, got massages at the spa, and shopped afterwards. Mommy had a great time! Of course Daddy did a fantastic job looking after Drew. Then Sunday, everyone had a lazy day sleeping in because of the rain. Since Auntie Lesley wasn't feeling well and it was mother's day, Daddy made breakfast for everyone. Mommy, Auntie Lesley, and Drew went out later that afternoon and shopped some more at DSW and World Market. They also shopped some more today on State St before Auntie Lesley had to go home. Drew can't wait to show off all the cool summer outfits Mommy bought for him. Now if only the weather would cooperate!

Drew with Auntie Lesley

Meet the Grandparents

What a fun weekend for Drew. Grandma and Grandpa Swecker had a great time hanging out in Chicago. They got to finally meet Drew and give him lots of hugs and kisses. Grandma and Grandpa did some shopping on State street Friday while Drew relaxed at home with Mommy and Daddy. Then Saturday the family watched the Kentucky Derby and went to Ikea afterwards. The family went for a long walk to lunch on Sunday when the weather was nice. Then we all went shopping on Michigan avenue afterwards. Here are some pics from this weekend.

Drew with Grandma and Grandpa Swecker
Drew passed out on the walk to lunch at the Grand Lux Cafe.
Drew with Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, and Grandpa

It's Drew Time...All the Time!

Our little man is now one month old (1 mth, and 8 days to be exact) and has already seen and experienced so many new things. He's already been on his very first restaurant outing with the family on Grandma Duong's last day in Chicago, of course he slept right through.
Mommy and Grandma Duong also took him on his very first walk in the city a few weeks ago. We only made it one block, but at least he got out. Ever since then he's been on many more walks and made it past the first block. Mommy even took him up to work and Drew got to meet all her co-workers.

The Le family came to visit a week or so ago, so Drew entertained his very first out of town visitors. He had a great time hanging out with baby Vincent, co Trisha, and chu Viet.

Drew even blew out his first diaper this past weekend (the Poo Factory is working overtime these days.) Yup...sorry co Thao, he made a mess of your personalized PJ's.

Anyway, Grandma Duong left two weeks ago and is sorely missed (especially by Mommy.) Gone are those days of sleeping in late or updating blog pages hours at a time. This little boy keeps Mommy and Daddy busy 24/7...but it's so wonderful to have him around!

We have many more things to look forward to this week. Drew gets to finally meet Ol' Ma and Ol' Pa Swecker this Thursday. I'm sure he'll have lots of fun this weekend!

Poo Factory

Who would've thought so much poo could come from such a little body! Daddy Swecker is definitely more comfortable with the subject now (with a little help from the Do Family's book on poo). Anyway, our little stinker has been gaining weight like it's going out of style. He gained about 13 oz at his last visit with Dr. King and is now eating almost 4 oz at each feeding. Drew has also come to love bath time, usually passing out right afterwards for a nice long nap on his swing.Or next to his little buddy.
And when he's not sleeping he likes to hang out with Ba Ngoai.Or wrestle his Daddy.Then posing with Uncle Vi.
We even got a visitor on Monday. Auntie Jung moved up here last month and came by to visit. Of course Drew slept the whole time.He does own other hats, but he's quite attached to that little blue one...hehe.

One week old

Today Drew is officially one week old. He's been such a good boy, so mellow and sweet! We hardly ever hear him cry, only when he's cold. He only gets up once in the middle of the night to eat, which is quite nice. Other than partaking in his two favorite activities, eating and sleeping, he also enjoys tummy time and story time with his daddy. He also loves it when ba ngoai talks to him and gives him lots of hugs and kisses. He doesn't really like bathing yet (brrrr)...but he's slowly getting used to it. Here are a few more pics from this week.

Tummy time with Drew...
Ahhhh...I love to sleep!

And lounge around.

Drew goes home...

Since Drew and I were doing so well after he was born, the doctor decided we could go home today. We did get a few visitors before we left though. Here is Vi, Cynthia, and Monk with Drew.
And a few more pics of our baby boy...

Welcome baby Drew!!

Drew decided to surprise us all today by making his entrance into the world! It started around 1:00 AM Friday morning when my water broke. I managed to take a quick shower before heading to the hospital.
We made it to the hospital around 2:30 AM and checked in. Here I am in Triage.

After Triage, we were transferred up to our labor and delivery room and they started me on Pitocin to speed up the contractions.

And then the waiting begins...at least we had a nice TV to watch.
So I was only 3 1/2 cm dilated at 5:00 AM so they ramped up the Pitocin dosage. By 6:00 AM I was ready for the epidural!!! Once the epidural was given we continued to wait for me to dilate. It took another 7 hours with a couple more increases in Pitocin and me begging for more Epidural shots (Louie the Anesthesiologist became my best friend) before I was ready to start pushing. So I started pushing around 1:30 PM and baby Drew was finally born at 2:32 PM.
Here is Drew drinking his first bottle.
Here we are, one happy family!

Drew's room is finally done!

Yay! Today I got the undersea graphics I ordered and finished decorating Drew's room. I hope he likes it!

The countdown begins...

I had my 38 week checkup with the OB today and everything looks good. The Doc said I am already 2 cm dilated and the baby is very low so it's a good chance that he will come soon. Anyway, she said if he doesn't come by next week, they'll schedule me for an induction on April 3rd. Hopefully he'll be a good boy and come naturally so I don't have to go through with the induction! So everyone cross your fingers and pray for us...hehe.

Drew got some really cute socks and another great onesie this week from my co-worker. Thanks Tonya! She said it reminded her of me...what can I say, I love to Google everything.

More fun gifts for Drew

Drew got a fun gift from our friend Jen in Cali today. This mobile plays classical music and has a remote control. Thanks Jen! Uncle Vi also got Drew these cute onesies. The black one came all the way from Australia!

So I got my first painful contraction today...of course it was Braxton Hicks. But my boss keeps telling me that he thinks Drew will come early, so I guess we'll see how accurate his predictions are.

Three weeks to go...

Baby Drew is officially 37 weeks today...which means he's finally full term and can come anytime now. I definitely feel the lightening (baby dropping) this weekend because it feels like I'm wearing a weight belt on my hips. I officially have cankles now from all the water retention! Yay, fun!!

Anyway, Daddy Swecker and I have been busy getting the baby room ready the past few weeks. The room is now painted and is furnished with all the baby furniture that took us days to build! The walls are a little boring but I ordered some graphics from blik graphics that are re-stickable. We're going with an "undersea theme" to match the decorations on his name. So I guess we'll put those up when they arrive.























Anyway, I was a sewing fool this weekend and made the crib skirt and window valance to coordinate with the crib sheet. Now I just need to make a few pillows for the day bed to match the crib linens. So we're using Drew's room as a partial storage space (for all his baby stuff) and guest room at the moment. My mom is coming up in a couple of weeks for a month so she'll be sleeping there.

Poor Greg threw out his back playing basketball last week so he's unable to bend over or do anything too crazy. However, he still managed to install the baby seat base and the baby-in-site mega mirror in the new car today. Oh yeah, we bought another car a couple of weeks ago. It's an Acura MDX in Silver with black leather interior, all for me (and the baby of course) and I love it!! =D