Introducing Drew Vinh Quinio

Since I’ve neglected him for so long, I want to dedicate the first real entry to my little Drew-Boo. Let’s start with my pregnancy, which was very similar to Emmie’s, although he didn’t cause so many bouts of heartburn (completely contradicting the only old wives tale that has been scientifically proven: heartburn is caused by hairy babies). He sure did move a lot more than his sister; sometimes I felt like he was trying to break off one of my ribs! Drew’s c-section went a lot smoother than Emmie’s since there was nothing unplanned and I wasn’t knocked out, I was awake with Dennis at my side. The doctors talked about going on a ski vacations and the Oscar’s…I joined in for a little Oscar talk. I was also amazed with what the anesthesiologist could do. I laid there trying to fight off the nausea for about 10 minutes but finally spoke up because I thought I might just vomit…with a little shot into my IV I felt better within seconds. Then I started getting an ache in my upper ribcage (in the same spot that I felt like he was breaking off my rib), which I mentioned to her…again within seconds I no longer felt any pain. I guess that’s why they’re paid the big bucks…future career op, kiddos?!
Drew officially arrived into the world on February 23rd, 2009, weighing 7 pounds 6 ounces and measuring 20 inches with a head full of hair. This pic was posted in the pictorial update, but its got to be one of my favorite pictures. I asked Dennis several times if he was sure he took the picture of the right baby! Of course it took me a couple of days to officially name him Drew. I was picking between Drew, Desmond and Quentin, but finally settled with Drew. After months of wondering, did I pick the right name I think I’ve finally decided that I did. Granted his nickname is longer then his given (Drew-Drew, Drew-Boo, and sometimes Andrew according to his Lola), but it seems to just fit!

From the start Drew was champ at nursing. Maybe because I was a little more experienced, but nursing wasn’t nearly as stressful with Drew as it was with Emmie. Although nursing came easy for Drew, sleep didn’t! He didn’t so much care for the co-sleeper we borrowed from Maddy, so there was a lot more co-sleeping early on with him. The first 4 months of his life weren’t too bad, typical nights of waking one to two times…but in the fourth month we took a trip to Austin for a week for Tita Janette’s and Uncle Khiem’s wedding. Drew spent the week sleeping with us in the bed and being held constantly by adoring relatives…seriously I think the only time he wasn’t held was when he was in his carseat. Upon our return from Austin, sleeping through the night was lost. It wasn’t until Drew was 11 months (Christmas Eve), that he slept through the night. We did try crying it out at 7 months and 9 months but it didn’t stick. It was torture listening to him cry and wasn’t as successful as I wanted! It’d work for a couple of weeks but then the waking in the middle of the night would start again. Now, Drew is a better sleeper then Emmie…his routine is as follows: Upstairs for his last cup of milk (that’s right he gave up his bottle at 13 months), Read Mama Mama/Papa Papa, Snuggle, and then he asks to be put in his crib (well he points to his crib and makes a dog whimpering noise – that’s how he communicates). I set him in the crib and can easily walk out as he settles himself in. Emmie is a completely different story…but this is a Drew blog!

It’s hard not to compare the two, as you can plainly see. I’ve mentioned Emmie a dozen or more times even though I’ve said I’m dedicating this blog to Drew. Drew is a lot more sociable than his sister, he’s always waving and smiling at strangers (at least from a distance) while Emmie would be busy giving people the “look”, strangers and friends a like. When Drew wants something he wants it and there’s no easy way to distract him. When we try to distract him and hide something from him, he’ll act like he’s forgotten it only to return to looking for it a second later. When he gets mad he scratches at you with those lethal nails…and just recently he’s learned to fight back when it comes to Emmie…he’ll pull her hair and pinch her. He gives love bites on your shoulders and sometimes your face! He’s 100% boy because he’s climbing and running everywhere. When he falls over its just like he was stepping over some obstacle…he’s back up and on course. In his first 15 months of life he’s gotten more skinned knees and scrapped fingers (and road rash on his forehead) then his sister’s three years.

One milestone Drew reached way before Emmie, was the first haircut. People made comments about his hair since he was born. In some portraits we took of the kids, a girl mentioned she loved his hat...umm, that's his hair. Around six months his hair started thinning out some, he had what looked like a reverse comb over (hair on top less on the sides)...it wasn't pretty and certain people thought he resembled Hitler.

It was time for a haircut, so at 7 months (September 2008), Drew went to Taysa's mommy for his first haircut. He sat completely still through the whole thing...even when she busted out the clippers. What a champ!!!

I can’t believe how quickly time has flown by and this blog is going to let me look back at all these great memories when he’s too busy running from me rather than into my arms!