Crawling

Sam is crawling everywhere now, and he espesially likes his new padded carpet. He also figured out how to take it apart and is snacking on it.


Sam's favorite positions as of late - one foot on the "table".


This is Sam's first favorite actual non-liquidy food - a rice puff. He had one today for the first time and liked it a lot.

Yum yum

This is Sam's first visit to IHOP (International House of Pancakes restaurant), which is very popular in New Jersey. He's checking out the menu, and is contemplating the option of "All You Can Eat Pancakes Are Back!" Too bad he has no teeth yet and can't eat any!


Sam: "Turns out rubber duckies aren't as yummy as the IHOP pancakes!"

Road Trip!

Sam went traveling with grandparents to Deep Cut Gardens, in New Jersey. Here, he is in the car at a rest stop.


Back home, Sam started "walking" around his crib while holding to the walls. A couple of days ago he also started crawling (mostly when he's incentivized with bottles and toys).

Sam's first vacation (to Miami, Florida)

Sam is working on his tan in Miami Beach.


Sam has been watching the Olympics this summer and wants to start his swimming training early to be like Michael Phelps. He is starting with learning backstroke, and already has a pair of (diaper) speedos.


Here we are visiting the Coral Castle (a castle entirely made of ancient coral rock).


Here we are sitting on a "throne" in the Coral Castle. The throne was carved out of stone by an eccentric architect.


Sam loves riding atop grandpa - he giggles a lot when he gets to ride him.


Celebrating the New Year's in Florida.

Sam appears to have put on some vacation weight :) . We just measured him today and he weighs about 22 lbs. He has also learned how to get on all-fours, but hasn't figured out how to crawl yet. Also, he can now stand up by himself with the support of the crib wall.

Sam's First Christmas

Hanging out at home

A family book club.


Sam: "I like reading this book better when it's upside down"

7-Month Birthday

This is Sam's favorite sleeping position lately.

Aviation Museum in Clinfton, New Jersey

Sam: "This old plane cockpit is missing a GPS!"


With Grandpa near a US Coast Guard helicopter.


"Please keep your seatbelts securely fastened!" This is inside a historic passenger plane.


World War II Military helicopter.




Sam: "If I turn that engine turbine, will it fly away?"

Spoon Feeding

This is Sam's first normal human food (rice cereal). He even got to eat from a spoon.


Sam: "I like the Grandpa method of transportation! Much more efficient than trying to crawl"


Sam's friend Noa came over to visit him in his crib. Sam is showing his bachelor pad and being a gracious host. He is even willing to share his (toy) car.

Dancing Queen

A video of Sam dancing in his new swing (to ABBA)

Great Falls, Paterson, New Jersey

Sam's first time seeing a waterfall.


Studying the inner workings of 19th-century steam engines.

First Thanksgiving

Sam wanted some Turkey too but instead got some rice cereal. He just started eating solid foods from a spoon a couple of days ago, and so far his only non-milk food is rice cereal.

We spent Thanksgiving with our family, Julia, Jake, Nikki, Galina, Vera and Yuri (as well as Vic, Elena and Sam)

My first red shiny sports convertible!

Sam: "I wonder how fast I can go from zero to sixty?"


Winter bear.

Hairy Situation

Sam is thinking about changing his hair style.

Should it be punk?


Or spikes?


Or retro?

Friends Snooks come for a visit

This is Nathan and Noa Snook, together with Vic and Sam.

Yoga child

Sam is now able to suck on his toes.


Yum!!!!!

New York Acquarium

Something's fishy...


We watched a show with trained sea lions.


With the penguins.

Booo! Baby's first Halloween

Sam: "Bummer. All this candy, and I can't eat any of it yet! I will have to wait till next year."

Find 10 differences...

This is Elena when she was about 5 months old, held by her mom.


This is Sam at about about 5 months, held by his mom.

Library book

Recently we went to check out the local library. Sam was there too, and the librarian suggested that he get a library card too, because as she said, "it's never to early to get them started"! He has some kiddie books of his own but he was more interested in reading some of his parent's books. Or, more like, licking them and crumbling the pages.


Sam: "Wow, that mystery novel had a completely unexpected twist to it!"


That book had a happy ending!