More pictures of Zachary

Our little guy is doing really well in this brave new world. He has put on some weight since his birth and is more alert to his surroundings. Big brother Drew is getting used to his new role and has been helping out with diaper changes. He still gets a bit jealous when we hold Zach but he's slowly getting used to sharing Mommy and Daddy.

We want to thank Grandma Duong for helping out the past few months. She went home this past Sunday and we sure miss her, especially Drew.

Zachary's Birthday

We are happy to announce the birth of Zachary Van Swecker on 1/30/2010 at 7:27 AM weighing 7 lbs 9 oz and 20 inches.

Christmas with the Sweckers

We spent Christmas in Chicago again this year. Grandma Duong, Vi, Trang, and Peter also came up to celebrate with us. We spent the time eating and enjoying family time.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Visit with Santa

We got to visit with Santa while he was hanging out in Fort Lauderdale. Drew was a bit skeptical of the old guy in the red suit...but decided to sit still enough for one good picture.

Thanksgiving

After a brief hiatus, I guess now is as good a time as any to take up blogging again! I decided to change the blog name from Drew News to News from A to Z as we are expecting another baby boy in February and we're going to name him Zachary.

Other than that bit of news, our family has been busy as always. We took a nice family vacation to Oahu and Kauai in August. Then celebrated Halloween in Dallas with our friends and family. So now we're spending some time in Fort Lauderdale for Thanksgiving. Grandma Swecker made a really nice Thanksgiving dinner and we ate all day and enjoyed being lazy!


Drew is having a blast enjoying the warmer weather here in south Florida. We took him to the park today and he even learned how to rock climb. Check out his video below...

Swim class

These shoes are made for walking...

Bike the Drive

Drew participated in his 1st Bike the Drive on Lake Shore Drive today. It was a beautiful day and the weather was perfect for a bike ride. Drew enjoyed people watching in the comfort of his bike trailer. In fact, he was so comfortable he fell asleep several times on our 15 mile bike ride. Next year we'll have to attempt to complete the whole ride, which is a total of 30 miles.

So sleepy...

Drew was so tired during lunch, he started dozing off before he was done eating.

Ft. Lauderdale Fun

So we spent a few days hanging out in Ft. Lauderdale after we got back from the Keys. Drew spent a lot of time taking walks with Florima and just relaxing. Daddy got him a pool that he splashed around in. We had lunch with Daddy's co-worker Jen one day and also visited the Fuentes. We closed out the week with a visit to the beach where Drew got to experience the sand and surf. He was a little hesitant about the sand and salt water at first but finally warmed up and had a good time. He can't wait to come back for more!

Mangoes in Florima's backyard

Lunch with Jen

Hanging out with Johanna

Splashing around in the pool



Beach day with the family

Drew was very curious of the sand
Taking his first dip in the Atlantic
Just enjoying the surf

Fun in the sunshine state!

Part 1:

So the family has been hanging out in Florida the past few days. We flew in to Ft. Lauderdale last Saturday and headed straight to Big Pine Key after a brief stop at La Bamba (mommy's fave cuban restaurant) and Florima's (grandma Swecker's new name) house. We stayed for four days in the Keys just kicking back and chillaxing! Drew loved Rob and Heather's pool...he couldn't get enough of it! He also made a new friend. Daddy's friends Kevin and Colleen brought their little girl, Kiera, down. We also got to go out on Rob's boat one evening to watch the sunset. Although, the water was so soothing, Drew fell asleep and missed it. Oh well, we're sure he'll see another one soon. So we caught plenty of rays at the pool and z's on the hammock, which Drew loved!

Drew loved lounging on the hammock

Having lunch with the Clarks, Rob, and Heather

Hanging out with Kiera

Sunset cruise with mommy and daddy

It wouldn't be a booze cruise without the booze!

Enjoying the pool

surfer dude!

Southernmost point in Key West
Anyway, so we're back in Ft. Lauderdale for a few more days at Florima and Floripa's house. Drew caught a little cold somewhere along the way so he's trying to recuperate. We'll be hitting the beach when he feels better! Stay tuned for part 2...

One and loving it!

Well Drew has finally turned one a couple of weeks ago. Yup, we celebrated his big day in fashion at the Incredible Pizza Co. in Dallas. All his uncles and aunties were on hand to wish the little guy a happy birthday. Even grandma and grandpa Swecker came up from FL to help celebrate. Drew would like to thank everyone for an awesome birthday!

Wow...I can't believe this day has come!

Mommy and Daddy helping Drew blow out his candle

With Grandma Duong and Swecker Photo op with all the babies (wasn't an easy task) Drew loved the carousel (he did about 6 rounds)It was a fun packed weekend...we went and checked out the Ft. Worth Stockyards, The Dallas Arboretum, and the Dealey Plaza (where Kennedy got shot.) Drew bear got to go to his very first crawfish boil, courtesy of Uncle Peter and Aunt Jan. They made some really yummy crawfish...mommy needs to get Aunt Jan's recipe for the special sauce.
The cattle drive (all 5 minutes of it)

Grandma and Grandpa Swecker at the Dallas Arboretum

Drew with Daddy at the Arboretum

Relaxing with the Duongs at Dealey Plaza

I see stars....

We went out for breakfast this morning at Wishbone. As we were sitting down, Daddy said, "isn't that David Schwimmer sitting behind us?" Sure enough, it was him! He was having breakfast with Harry Lennix (Lock from The Matrix Revolutions) just a table away from us. Of course, Drew was too busy stuffing his face with fruit and eggs to notice. Too bad we couldn't get a picture of them...didn't want to be annoying fans or anything.

So anyway, last weekend Auntie Lesley and Joey came up to visit. We all had a good time eating, shopping, and visiting the Shedd Aquarium. Here are a few pics from their visit up here.

Group picture!

Drew with Auntie Lesley and Joey

Drew and Mommy at the aquarium

Daddy and Drew at the aquarium

Keystone 2009

Drew went on his very first ski trip over the President's Day weekend. He got to breathe the clean (and very dry) mountain air as he was pulled around in a sled. Drew played in the snow with Daddy and his uncles and aunties. Although he couldn't ski and snowboard with the rest of the family, he did get to have fun with other mountain babies at daycare for a couple of days. Drew was so good on the trip, we think he can go every year and maybe even get his ski legs by the time he's 3. Seems like such a long time away, but remember, he'll be 0-1 very very soon!

Photo op with Mommy

Mommy and Daddy in full gear

This is as close as he got to actually skiing

Just hanging out in the snow

One of many group photos