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The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd have made their son, Shai, their star since welcoming him in February 2017.
The Dancing With the Stars couple’s first child was born six months before the twosome tied the knot in New York in July 2017. As she watched her little one reach a few memorable milestones in the first few months of his life, Murgatroyd reflected on the indescribable experience of motherhood.
“My Prince Shai….you gave me the title of Mother, and you have given me my proudest moments in life. I am forever your protector and you will always hold a special place in my heart,” the professional dancer wrote in a lengthy Instagram tribute to her baby boy in May 2017. “I understand what my mother used to say now…a mothers love for her child is unlike any other, I had to have you though to understand ❤️. … I have learnt more about myself in these past 4 months with the joy of having a child. It’s moments like these, where I find myself looking back and appreciating my greatest influencer, my mother, more than ever before.”
One year later, the New Zealand native told Us Weekly that it was “too early to tell” if Shai would inherit his parents’ sense of rhythm. In September 2020, however, the little one had come a long way.
“He has started dancing,” she told Us at the time. “I don’t know if I would call it dancing dancing but he’s trying. He’s 3, so I can’t expect that much but he’s trying to do the cha-cha right now and he did a little bit of waltz the other day.”
While watching Shai grow up has been rewarding for the ballroom pros, the couple has been eager to expand their family. In March 2020, Chmerkovskiy revealed that he’s hoping baby No. 2 is a little girl.
“I want to experience that relationship,” the Ukraine native told Us at the time. “When Peta said [her last pregnancy] was a boy, I had this elated reaction like, ‘Thank God.’ But immediately after that, I was like, ‘OK, now I’m ready for a girl.’ I just think it’s a special thing.”
Scroll down to see some of the DWTS couple’s cutest memories with their son, Shai.
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd’s Sweetest Moments With Son Shai: Family Pics
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd have made their son, Shai, their star since welcoming him in February 2017.
The Dancing With the Stars couple’s first child was born six months before the twosome tied the knot in New York in July 2017. As she watched her little one reach a few memorable milestones in the first few months of his life, Murgatroyd reflected on the indescribable experience of motherhood.
“My Prince Shai….you gave me the title of Mother, and you have given me my proudest moments in life. I am forever your protector and you will always hold a special place in my heart,” the professional dancer wrote in a lengthy Instagram tribute to her baby boy in May 2017. “I understand what my mother used to say now…a mothers love for her child is unlike any other, I had to have you though to understand ❤️. … I have learnt more about myself in these past 4 months with the joy of having a child. It’s moments like these, where I find myself looking back and appreciating my greatest influencer, my mother, more than ever before.”
One year later, the New Zealand native told Us Weekly that it was “too early to tell” if Shai would inherit his parents’ sense of rhythm. In September 2020, however, the little one had come a long way.
“He has started dancing,” she told Us at the time. “I don’t know if I would call it dancing dancing but he’s trying. He’s 3, so I can’t expect that much but he’s trying to do the cha-cha right now and he did a little bit of waltz the other day.”
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While watching Shai grow up has been rewarding for the ballroom pros, the couple has been eager to expand their family. In March 2020, Chmerkovskiy revealed that he’s hoping baby No. 2 is a little girl.
“I want to experience that relationship,” the Ukraine native told Us at the time. “When Peta said [her last pregnancy] was a boy, I had this elated reaction like, ‘Thank God.’ But immediately after that, I was like, ‘OK, now I’m ready for a girl.’ I just think it’s a special thing.”
Scroll down to see some of the DWTS couple’s cutest memories with their son, Shai.
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Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
‘My Prince’
The Burn the Floor alum reminisced about motherhood in a sweet Instagram post four months after welcoming her “prince,” Shai. “I understand what my mother used to say now…a mothers love for her child is unlike any other, I had to have you though to understand ❤️. To all the mothers out there, I want to say……we’re incredible, we’re resilient super humans, our bodies are wildly strong and we create little miracles, we have to LOVE ourselves and be PROUD.”
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Downtime
Chmerkovskiy and his son spent a lazy day off connecting over a good book. “I can’t wait to get home 🙏🏻,” Murgatroyd captioned the adorable moment in March 2018.
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
No. 1 Fan
The toddler watched from the audience as his mother rehearsed for DWTS‘ Disney Night, “the most magical night of the season” in October 2019.
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
One Big Happy
Prepping for the 2019 holiday season, the family of three made a day out of picking the perfect Christmas tree in Los Angeles. “We found a good one 😝,” Murgatroyd teased via Instagram at the time.
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Getting Big!
“The world is your oyster my little man 💫,” the doting mom gushed in a December 2019 social media post as her little boy stared out at the ocean.
Credit: Courtesy of Maksim Chmerkovskiy/Instagram
Perfect Paradise
Murgatroyd gazed lovingly at her son on a sunny Malibu beach day in February 2020.
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Piano Man
Shai showed off his skills at the piano in March 2020 and made his dad a little mushy. “Wrote something about Shai, got super emotional and decided to simply wish everyone as much real, palpable happiness this coming week as this kid experiencing while ‘playing’ piano 🙏🏼,” Chmerkovskiy wrote via Instagram at the time.
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Mama’s Boy
Murgatroyd cozied up to her “little man” in a sweet selfie in March 2020 and thanked him for keeping her on her toes. “I love him so much it hurts,” she captioned the social media upload.
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
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Mean Mug
Chmerkovskiy and his mini-me scrunched up their faces in a playful selfie on a beach day in August 2020.
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
‘All That Matters’
The ballroom pro gushed over her husband on Father’s Day 2020 for setting such a positive example for their son. “This is all that matters,” she captioned a series of photos of Chmerkovskiy and Shai through the years. “Thank you @MaksimC for the incredible amount of love that you give our son. He heeds, listens and learns from you. He follows your kindness and strong spirit. He tells me how much he loves you before he sleeps. … I hope every day feels like ‘Father’s Day’ because we appreciate you for every sacrifice you’ve made for us. We love you so much and we are your biggest fans. Always and forever.”
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Spooky Season
The happy couple, dressed in matching skeleton sweatsuits, posed on either side of their little cowboy on Halloween 2020. “🌈 Happy Sunday from the *Shaiest cowboy and two lazy skeletons who bought these jumpsuits last minute,” Murgatroyd wrote via Instagram.
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Feeling Thankful
“#Thankful for the abundance of love and joy these two always bring me,” Murgatroyd wrote alongside a family selfie in honor of Thanksgiving 2020. “Also, Shai woke up at 7.45am ..so…Mumma slept in!!!!!!!! Win win for everyone 😎 How was your Thanksgiving everyone?? XO.”
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Just Like Dad!
In a December 2020 Instagram pic, fans and fellow DWTS pros couldn’t believe how much Shai resembled his dad. “He’s so gorgeous,” DWTS alum Kym Johnson commented at the time, while fellow dance pro Emma Slater wrote, “He looks just like @maksimc here with his expression!!!”
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Cabo Cuties
“A trip I’ll remember forever,” Murgatroyd captioned a July 2021 Instagram slideshow.
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Ride Warrior
In August 2021, Shai rode his first coaster roller-coaster at Universal Studios.
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Sweet in Stripes
The family of three were all smiles in festive pajamas in a December 2021 Instagram post.
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Beach Babes
In February 2022, Chmerkovskiy snapped a selfie with his wife and son.
Credit: Courtesy Maksim Chmerkovskiy/Instagram
Home Again
Following his return from Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, Chmerkovskiy soaked up some quality time with his son. “I never thought our family would be directly affected by this in our lifetime, I never thought what we are seeing on our TV’s was a reality in 2022,” Murgatroyd captioned the family photo via Instagram in March 2022. “I have never hugged him so tight. Shaking and forever grateful. Now it’s time to heal. We cannot go back to our normal. Our lives are forever changed. We have a new normal, and that’s ok. … Thank you from the depths of my soul for all the support and constant outpouring of love. I see everything and I am forever thankful.”
Credit: Courtesy of Peta Murgatroyd/Instagram
Silly Selfies
Murgatroyd posted a March 2022 Instagram slideshow with Shai, writing, “My guy [is] always pulling a funny face and never serious unless he’s in trouble. I love him so much it hurts. My twin. Always and forever XO.”
Credit: CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Red Carpet Dates
Shai joined his parents at the Apple premiere of Luck in July 2022 as the trio were all smiles on the red carpet.
Credit: Courtesy of Maksim Chmerkovskiy/Instagram
‘My Heartbeat’
Chmerkovskiy gushed over Shai in a November 2022 Instagram post, sharing a photo of himself and his son taken by Murgatroyd. “My guy and I. My heartbeat ❤️,” the dance pro wrote. “This love is unlike anything else and only gets stronger, if you do it right. Fatherhood is easily hardest and most rewarding job I’ve ever had. Instant reward with best long term ROI though. Also, a father and a dad are so not the same things. If you have kids, go be amazing at the most important job you’ve ever had.”
