Drew vs. The ATV

Christmas with the Sweckers

We had such a great Christmas! Grandma Duong, Uncle Peter, and Aunt Jan came up from Dallas to help make it extra special for Drew's 1st Christmas. We all ate a lot, laughed, and watched a Don Cheadle movie (seems like we watch one every year). Drew is so excited about all the fun toys and new clothes he got. Mommy and Daddy doesn't think he needs any more toys for a while!

Family photo op...

Drew's very first ATV...
Uncle Vi and Uncle Peter chillin' out...
With Grandma and Aunt Jan

holiday madness...

It's been very busy at the Swecker household the last couple of weeks. First of all, Drew didn't feel well for almost a week. He caught some kind of stomach bug and had to stay home from daycare. So Mommy had to work from home to be with him. Then Daddy left to go to Ft. Lauderdale for his annual sales meetings. Since Mommy and Daddy's anniversary was the same week, Mommy and Drew flew down after a couple of days to join Daddy and to visit Grandma and Grandpa Swecker. Drew and Mommy got to stay with Daddy at the Riverside Hotel. Drew had a lot of fun crawling all around the room and checking out the view from his crib.

Crib with a view...

Making sure the recliner was comfortable...

While in Ft. Lauderdale, Drew got to spend lots of time with Grandma. She took him on walks around the neighborhood almost every day. He got to meet all of Grandma's neighbors and also went to dinner with Eileen who loved seeing Drew again. Mommy and Grandma also went to the mall one day so that Drew could take a picture with Santa. He did really well and didn't even cry.After getting back from FL, Mommy and Daddy were super busy with work trying to wrap up things for the end of the year. Mommy has been so busy she's been dreaming of excel formulas and pivot tables for the last week! It's all worth it in the end because after Monday Mommy and Daddy will be on vacation until after the New Year. Drew bear is very excited to have both Mommy and Daddy home for so long. Anyway, in the midst of all that work, they even decorated for Christmas. Drew loves to help Mommy rearrange the ornaments.

Some holiday pics...

Thanksgiving weekend...

Drew got to celebrate his very first Thanksgiving this past weekend. He and Mommy got to relax on Thursday while Daddy cooked. Daddy made turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce all from scratch. It was all really good considering it was Daddy's first time making the Thanksgiving meal. Uncle Vi came over with dessert and we all ate like we've never eaten before. Even Drew got to try a little bit of everything...he didn't care too much for the green beans though.

We ate so fast Mommy forgot to take a picture of the food.

Then after lunch, Drew got to talk to Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Peter, and Aunt Jan through the webcam. It was such a neat experience for him, he was speechless! Maybe next time he won't be so shy.

So the rest of the weekend was pretty quiet. The family just relaxed and enjoyed being lazy. We did go out to dinner Saturday night and then Daddy went snowboarding with uncle Vi on Sunday.

Today, Drew got to see his very first snow. Mommy caught him standing in his crib just watching the snow fall down. Anyway, we got at least 3 whole inches today!

Brrrr....

Winter has finally taken over the North Country and Drew Bear is well prepared to handle the cold. He's been trying on all his winter gear and has taken the frosty weather like it was nothing at all. We've seen a few snow flurries already and are waiting for the first big snow, which should be any day now.

So Drew Bear is 8 mths old today! So far he has mastered crawling and is praticing his furniture cruising skills. Mommy thinks he's going to be an early walker and has already started to babyproof the whole house. Other than his new skills, Drew also has 5 whole teeth now!! The top three teeth decided to all come out at the same time so it's been a bit uncomfortable for our bear.

Trying on some winter gear...

Dressed for the cold! Showing off a couple of his pearly whites

Happy Halloween!

Our little stinker!

Teddy checking out the new four legged creature

Happy Halloween from the Sweckers!

Pumpkin carving contest

So Mommy and Daddy decided to have a little pumpkin carving contest on Sunday. Drew Bear got to watch and judge who did the best job. He is being diplomatic and likes both just as much. So, judge for yourself who's got the better pumpkin, Mommy (left) or Daddy (right).

Our most esteemed judge...Drew Bear
Daddy showing off his pumpkin carving skills

Busy little bee

Drew has been quite the busy body these days. He has learned to crawl and pull himself up so he's been busy perfecting his skills. He's also found an interest in Teddy, too bad Teddy doesn't feel the same way about him though.

Here he is following Teddy around...

Helping Mommy with some chores...

Uncle Peter and Aunt Jan's wedding

We were in Dallas this past weekend for Uncle Peter and Aunt Jan's wedding. Drew had a lot of fun hanging out with his little buddies and being a social butterfly at the wedding. He stayed up late almost every night we were there so was in need of some major rest when he came home.

Drew and the boys hanging out Thursday night.

Styling with DaddyAs ringbearerWith Grandpa, Reiken and chu Danny
Congratulations Uncle Peter and Aunt Jan!with Mommy at the reception

Pumpkin Fest

Mommy was finally able to drag Daddy away from all the baseball and football on TV today so Drew Bear could go to a pumpkin patch. Of course it's probably the hottest day (all 83 degrees!) of the fall. Anyway, Drew was able to pick out two whole pumpkins by himself. Here are some pics from our outing...

Drew wasn't too thrilled about being Frankenstein
He wasn't happy about the hot sun either.
Mommy trying to cheer him up.
Daddy wanted a picture by the pigs
Finally in a better mood

Blue Steel

Drew practicing his "look" during his photo op with Mommy.

Drew be doo be doo!

It's been pretty quiet up here in Chi-town, although Drew isn't so quiet these days. He just loves to jabber all day long! Here's just a few things that Drew has been up to the past couple of weeks. He went shopping with Mommy and Daddy on Sunday. He's such an urbanite, he even took the city bus.

During the week he likes to hang with his pal Duncan at daycare.

Drew is really making some progress on his crawling skills. He's got the whole rocking on all fours down, now if only those knees would follow. But in the mean while, he gets around by scooting backwards and spinning on his belly. Just pretend you didn't see all the slobber.

Here he is in his little obstacle course at home.

Shining Star

Well Drew went to see Dr. Hirsh yesterday for his 6 month checkup and the prognosis is good. He is now 17 lbs 13 oz, 26" long and is in the 50th percentile overall. Drew didn't even cry until his third shot and even then, he only cried for literally 5 seconds and started smiling again. Mommy was very proud of him. Dr. Hirsh said that Drew is doing so well he's a star performer!

Relaxing and waiting for Dr. Hirsh