See Inside Pirate Ships

Robert and I headed up to San Francisco last weekend for a belated birthday dinner hosted by Nora and Joe. Even though we live relatively close to one another, we don't really see each other very often so it was fun to have a chance to catch up in person. (And thank you for the fabulous eats, guys!) While we were there, Joe started telling us about a very odd book he'd bought for Joey at the Discovery Museum a while back. Nora was able to find the book and HOLY BEJESUS is it hilarious!!! For adults. Why a child's museum would think it an appropriate item for children I have no idea. (You'll see why in a moment.) The book is sold completely wrapped in cellophane so Joe wasn't able to check it out before he bought it. But it's a cartoon-y book about pirates sold in a children's museum - how bad could it be, right?

When Joe opened it up and began reading it Joey, he found out. Here are some of my favorite excerpts:

 

Seriously?! I was cracking UP as I read some of the flaps but c'mon - a children's book?! I think not. According to Amazon.com, the target age range is 4-8 years. I don't have kids and I don't purport to know much about them but I'm pretty sure I don't want to read my 5-year-old a story about how stabbing someone makes you a winner! And I'm thinking pictures of dead heads hanging off a boat aren't what I want my little one dreaming about. Understandably, Nora and Joe decided they didn't want to keep the book so they let me take it home since it tickled me so much. It's my new favorite book.

Joey!

Robert and I finally got a chance to head up to SF and catch up with Nora and Joey. We saw Joey at the wedding but only for a few minutes; the last time we'd seen him for any length of time was three months ago. Now he's 9 months and has 2 brand new teeth... plus an ever-deepening olive complexion. :o) He's GORGEOUS!

Nora tried her best but was unable to get Joey to relinquish his thumb long enough to snap a photo... but was ultimately unsuccessful.



Since I didn't manage to get any full-face photos of Joey in his auburn-haired glory, here are a few from Nora. It's hard for me to pick a favorite but I love his expression in this one:



And I love his little side part in this one:



Joey looks just like Joe it's almost spooky. He has the most pronounced eyebrows of any baby I've ever seen!


Joey is so very mellow and so very adorable - I think both Robert and I caught a touch of baby fever during the visit. (We'll see how long that lasts... !)

Joey P @ 4 Months

Oh my goodness. Nora's baby is gorgeous! What a cutie. His eyelashes are fantastic! :o) Here are a few photos Nora passed along of Joey, who turned 4-months-old on May 16. (And just in case you're keeping track, Joey is 5 days older than Garfunkel. Clearly, Nora and I are at different stages in our lives... !)

Joey's First Visit

My very good friend Nora had her son back in January but Saturday was the first day that everyone's schedule was clear for a visit. So, Robert and I dropped Garfunkel off and headed up to SF to check out the new house and baby!

Joey is just a doll. He was quite a mellow fellow during our visit - he only cried once and it was pretty half-hearted at that. This doesn't surprise me, though; Nora and Joe are two of the mellowest people I know. Joey looks just like Joe... with Nora's fingers, toes and, of course, red hair. He's just a sweetheart. And even though I know that Nora is now officially a "mom", she still just seems like Nora - with a baby. :o)

(I think my mom very much enjoyed this photo of me with a baby. Figures.)

Joey

My friend, Nora, finally had her baby a few weeks ago (January... 16th, I believe) and while I have not yet been fortunate enough to check him out in person, in photos he's just adorable. I will have to meet him soon!

Nora's Baby Shower

My good friend Nora had her baby shower yesterday (which is why I had to wake up earlyish and ditch Biji's par-tay) in Burlingame. I hadn't seen Nora since October, so her belly was quite a bit bigger - she looked so cute!!! She's expecting a boy in early January and is mum on the name... but I'm voting for Jorge. She didn't look like that's the name she and Joe have settled on but she did say I could call him that if I want to. :o) I told her I already do. (Jorge Parente! It's catchy!!)

Nora's been very busy preparing for both the holidays and her new arrival, of course, so I was very glad to have the opportunity to catch up with her one last time before Jorge arrives. It was a relatively large shower - I think about 30 people attended. We all mingled for a bit, then were treated to lunch followed by gifts and cake. There were no games (thank goodness!) and all was relatively low key. Nora was very sweet - she made sure I was seated next to those select few at the party with whom I was already acquainted. And as you all know, I am not a mingler by nature, so that made a huge difference! All in all, I had a lovely time.