Sam's First Christmas!

We had a great trip to Denver for Christmas . . . not much snow this year, but we enjoyed spending time with Pappy, Cacky, Louie, and the rest of the family!

The Elusive Xmas Card Shot

Dad had a hard time getting a picture in which Max and I both looked as cute as he would like.

My Wish Comes True!

Last Christmas, I received a book that asked me to make a wish, and every time we've read that book in the last year (two, three, four hundred times), I've made the same wish-- "I wish for a Christmas Tree!" Today, my wish came true! We were sitting at Daddy's birthday brunch, and Mom announced we would be heading to the local Christmas tree stand to buy our first Christmas tree (this was my wish, but I'm pretty sure I saw a tear in Daddy's eye). Auntie Sono and Auntie Aparna came over and we spent the afternoon drinking apple cider, listening to Christmas music, and making popcorn-cranberry garlands and gumdrop ornaments. Then we decorated the tree and my wish came true! What a perfect day! Happy Birthday Dad!

Thanksgiving 2008 in Cleveland

I very much enjoyed my first Thanksgiving, especially since we got to spend it in Cleveland with Nanaji, Naniji, Mosaji, Mosiji, Mamaji, and Anya (I'm sure there is an alternative name that I'm supposed to use for Anya, but no one has pushed that one yet). Dad and Amit made a delicious dinner that everyone else seemed to enjoy very much (maybe I'll get to try it next year?). I can't wait to see everyone again soon!

Catching up . . .

Here are some non-Disney, non-Thanksgiving pics from the last few weeks, including shots with Sono, the Bobelians, the Hilberts, and the Wu-Ma Clan of San Francisco!

Sam's Trip to Disney World

I don't really think Max's previous post encapsulates my experience in Disney World. I can't be sure, but I think these people were trying to keep me quiet while they were having the times of their lives. They just kept moving me back and forth between the car seat and the Ergo carrier. Every now and them, Mommy did stop off at a feeding station to top me off, but other than that, they seemed a little unfocused on yours truly. The worst was in restaurants,if god-forbid I woke up during their mealtimes, one of them actually had to hold me to keep me quiet. The did take me on a few rides, but should babies really see pirates shooting canon balls at each other?

Max's Trip to Disney World

Now that Sammy-boy is old enough to travel, we decided to take a trip to Disney World. Everyone seems to think we are a little crazy with comments like, "The kids won't remember the trip," and "When will Sam take a nap?" and "You're crazy!" We might be crazy, but we had a great time!

Obama Wins!

Yesterday was voting day in the United States, and we all went to vote. I don't usually use this space as a political forum, but I will say that my guy won! We went to an election night party and I couldn't believe the celebration at 11:00:01 when every channel announced Barack Obama the winner. Cars were honking. People were dancing in the streets whooping and screaming with joy. Uncle Mat even woke Evan up so he could experience the moment. It was a terrific night that I probably won't remember but for this blog entry.

2 Months!

Max really likes it when we wear similar clothes (in case you haven't noticed). We'll see what I think when I have an opinion. I went to the doctor this week and I'm growing fast-- 11.5 lbs and 24 inches! All is well otherwise . . .

Halloween 2008

We continued our Halloween traditions with our annual Pumpkin Carving Extravaganza (five years running) and trick-or-treating in Tribeca with the Tyndales (three years running). I actually understand Halloween this year, so I really started to get into it. I helped Daddy clean out the pumpkin for carving and I decided what face I wanted on my pumpkin. And get this-- I took the candy while I was trick-or-treating rather than giving it back! Sam on the other hand, didn't seem to get any of it-- he slept through pumpkin carving, he didn't love his costume, and he didn't get any candy! Babies are weird.

Puttin' a little meat on my bones!

Seven Weeks!

More smiles, more silly outfits, more attempts at the perfect pic with Max.

Miles of Smiles

Enough said!

Brunch at Max's

I had some of my friends over for brunch on Sunday-- Chloe, Lola, and Jake T. Daddy's food was pretty good, but I think the brunch I made was better.

Pie in our Future

We took a trip to Warwick, NY to go apple picking at Masker Farm yesterday. As you may know, Dad has been somewhat obsessed this summer with local food. He started out by going to Farmer's Markets-- pretty normal NYC activity. Then he bought a share of a farm's crop before the season started and we go every week to pick up our bounty at a local store. Now, he's taking us to actual farms to pick our own fruits and vegetables! What's next, moving to the country and planting our own crops!

All that said, I really did enjoy the experience, and given the 20 lb. bag of apples we brought home, I'll bet we are going to be having lots of apple pie in the next few weeks!

Gettin' Around

I got to visit state number three this week (Connecticut) for Auntie Courtney's birthday brunch. I have to admit, I was asleep most of the trip again, but it was fun to experience a new culture ;)

AC 360

What a week of partying! First, my cousin Anya was in town to celebrate her first birthday. I was asleep the whole time, but I hear the pizza, cake, and presents were awesome. Then it was Nani's birthday and we all decided to take a trip to Atlantic City! I was asleep the whole time, but something tells me that Mom and Dad got some strange looks walking through the casinos with a newborn and a 3-year-old.

3 Weeks!

I've been around for three weeks and to be honest, I don't have anything snappy to report-- sorry. Enjoy the pictures though!

Pappy and Cacky's Visit

My grandparents from Denver came to visit this week, and apparently, Max has given them some very silly names that I may lobby to change when I am old enough to lobby. Anyway, they were a lot of fun when they were around (Max monopolized most of their time).

Bronx: Check!

We did it! Daddy and I made it to all five boroughs as we adventured through NYC this summer. This week we went to the Bronx Zoo-- by far the best zoo in New York City. We took Pappy and Cacky with us too . . . I think they came to see Sam, but Sam is a little boring right now, so I thought they would enjoy the zoo more. (no offense to Sam of course, but he spends a lot of time sleeping. Anyway, a good time was had by all.

The Compare and Contrast Stage

So its already started. I am a week old and I am constantly being compared to this Max character. Here are a few of my favorites:

"Oh, he looks just like Max" followed up by the next visitor with "Oh wow, he looks nothing like Max."

"He has so much more hair than Max did" . . . "Max had so much more hair!"

"His skin is darker than Max's" . . . "His skin is much lighter than Max's"

"He sleeps a lot more than Max did at this age." I'm sure Max was a real joy, but how awake could he have really been?

Anyway, I'm hoping that I can develop my own look/voice/personality as we enter week 2.

New Blogger: Sam Ravi

Hello friends and family. My name is Sam Ravi and I am the newest member of the Schneider family. My brother Max has been kind enough to allow me to change the name of our blog and I will be updating you with my trials and tribulations. I'm hoping I can live up to his high standards!

Here are some of my second day pics . . . Mommy and I were so healthy, they let us come home from the hospital after only 28 hours. Mommy is such a trooper!

It's a Boy!

Priyanka, Max and I welcomed Sam Ravi Schneider to the world today at 4:44PM. He weighed in at 7lbs. 3oz. and he's 19 inches tall. Mom and Baby are doing very well, and Max is very happy to be a big brother!

Queens: Check!

Our new quest as we adventure through NYC this summer is to make it to all five boroughs. Yesterday, we made our way to Flushing Meadow-Corona Park, Queens (home of the 1939 World's Fair and of the U.S. Open). Dad didn't think I was quite ready for the U.S. Open, so we went to New York Hall of Science. As you can see from the pictures, I had a great time exploring the different exhibits, and I especially enjoyed the playground. Dad especially liked the building, which is the only structure left from the World's Fair.

Isabel dances!

My friend Isabel is a good dancer!

The Adventures of a Boy and his Dad.

No school . . . no camp . . . everyone is on summer vacation. What are a boy and his dad supposed to do? Enjoy New York City! We have spent August exploring everything New York City has to offer. We took the ferry to Staten Island, took a water taxi to the new Ikea in Brooklyn, we went to the Children's Museum of New York to see the famous Dora and Diego exhibit, we went to the American Museum of Natural History to see the even more famous lizards and frogs exhibit, and yesterday, we went to Coney Island in Brooklyn to see the New York Aquarium.

Just an aside, Daddy keeps saying these adventures are for me, but I think he is enjoying them even more than I am ;)

Beautiful Boy

Here's a video Dad made a long time ago

I'm 3!

I've been waiting for this day for months-- July 19, my b-day. All the anticipation was well worth it because Mom and Dad threw me the best bash ever. You're not going to believe this, but they actually invited more people than just their friends this year! Some of my friends from school were there-- Lola, Chloe, Erika, Jake T, and Finn (plus his sister, Flora). My babysitter, Carol, brought her kids Dominique, Melton, and Damell. And of course some of the old standbys were there-- Sonali, Aparna, the Shahs, the Saint Saveurs, the Kendalls, and a very special guest appearance all the way from Cincinnati from Nellie Mosiji and my cousin, Anya! Of course, Mom and Dad DID invite the latter group up for the after-party, which was kinda fun too;) Thanks to everybody for the amazing day!

Montreal and Mont Tremblant, eh!

We took a terrific babymoon to Montreal and Mont Tremblant. Our first and last vacation just the three of us! We were in Montreal just in time for Jazz Fest, and it was also fun to see the Biodome and the Olympic Park. In Mont Tremblant, we saw more music in Mont Tremblant at the Blues Festival. I really liked the luge and the gondola rides in the village. I also really enjoyed seeing all the wild animals on our Arctic Safari!

I'll be honest with you, I am excited about the baby coming, but I have a hunch that I'm going to miss having them to myself.

A Muddy Walk with the Hilberts

Another great trip to meet Matt and Courtney in Connecticut. Thanks to Uncle Matt for walking in the mud with me!

Lady Liberty, Up Close and Personal

After looking at her from afar for over a year, I finally got to see the Statue of Liberty on a trip with Mommy and the whole Sampat family!

India!