Hi, my name is Ilya Valen Barsuk, and I wanted to tell you a little bit about myself and my family, so that you can understand what mommy and daddy are talking about in this blog.

So, lets start at the beginning… All people who know me do say that I am a very special baby, and I am. So I was very careful in choosing two very special people to become my parents, and even though it took some time, I am pretty sure I found them.

My mommy was working too much and I had to put a stop to it. My daddy also spent a lot of time in front of his computer and not much time outside. They both really love their niece and nephews but wanted a child of their own. So the decision was made and put into action in June 2011.

When I was still a tiny little thing, my mommy and daddy took a look at me with the help of a machine. They thought that I looked like a hamster and I got my first nickname: “хомячок”.

As I was growing inside my mommy, I decided to take it easy and didn’t give her much trouble. My home was very cramped and as I was getting bigger I had no choice but to constantly kick my mom in her ribs. Sorry, mom!

The due date for my arrival was March 8/9, 2012, but as I was getting bigger and bigger my mommy thought that I will be coming out to greet them earlier. Well… I was too cozy to move out earlier. I had everything I needed in my mommy’s tummy. So I decided to stay for a bit longer. But when I heard that mommy’s doctor served an eviction notice (he scheduled an induction for mommy one week after my due date), I decided it was time to come out.

It sure wasn’t easy. I tried very hard to help my mommy and get out, but there was just not enough space for me to pass through. Then I saw light and someone’s hands pulled my head out of my mommy’s tummy.

… to be continued