Just ten days after returning to NY, I hopped on another plane bound for CA. I couldn’t wait to see my friends and family for the holidays!

First order of friendly business: pre-dinner with my little buddy Rai!

Also present were Rai’s parents, Ashley and Maciej, and Alisha and Nick.

Rai and his ladies

A couple of days later, I went to Berkeley to have lunch with my family. I brought presents from Morocco, like this fez hat for Corin!

Dancing babies are always so much fun!

Chomp!

After a couple days of working in our SF office, I hopped a train bound for SJ, and this little angel. Corin is my favorite baby ever!

His newest trick was sucking in his lower lip, so he looks like this. I’m thinking Cabbage Patch Kid, but cuter!

Jumping is a favorite activity

While mommy ran errands, Corin and I decided to step out and enjoy the sunshine.

Corin also got his first tooth while I was visiting, but he was too modest to show it.

Christmas Eve dinner prep

Deirdre was on cocktail duty - apricot bellinis!

Roasted brussels sprouts

Festive and pretty!

Veggies and fish en papillote

Dinner is served!

Danny really wanted to be one of Santa’s presents for Corin.

Corin’s first Christmas! Mmm, books are delicious.

Cool new wardrobe for his first days at daycare

Cordy Roy, Corin’s new bff

Food Face plate

Toys that play music, flash lights and make lots of noise - Corin’s favorites!

Corin says “Merry Christmas everyone!”

Sibling rivalry? Not us! Sure, we battled a bit as youngsters, but nowadays, my bro and I are the best of buds. We chat, text and talk just about every day. We even make a great team in the kitchen! Last weekend we invited our parents over to Ed and Deirdre’s for a late lunch. I chopped and prepped, he manned the grill, and I made a ginger-soy glaze for the salmon, and a quinoa-veggie salad. Everything turned out perfectly and we gobbled it up! Can’t wait to go back and do it again. Good job partner!

Introducing Corin to our parents’ dog, Joey, who licked the baby’s feet.

Joey helping get the grill ready

Fire it up! Boys like to grill stuff.

Eggplant from the store, and zucchini from Ed & D’s garden!

Fresh from a (short) nap and ready for lunch.

Glazing the salmon

Dad and his grandson

Tummy time!

Quinoa salad with fresh corn, onion, garlic, arugula, and tomatoes picked from Ed and D’s garden!

Grilled veggies - white summer squash and yellow squash from the garden, red papper, asparagus, red onion, eggplant and portabella.

Grilled salmon with sweet ginger-soy glaze

While we feasted, Joey napped. See Corin? This is how it’s done!

Danny, meet Joey!

Their local grocery store also sells kitties.

Later that evening, despite having missed a nap, Corin was all smiles (though not for long).

By bedtime, he could barely keep his head up.

Look at that face!

Most of my trips to SF include lots of good times and good eats with friends and family. Here’s what I was up to last week.

Dinner at La Mar on Tuesday

Natasha, Stephanie, me and Vinny

Happy Hour at Americano on Thursday

Amanda, and Lara (a.k.a. L-Train)

Paul, me, Nikki and Lara

Nick, me, Nikki, Geraldine and Alisha

Me, Nikki and Alisha - jazz hands!

Aaarrrgh! Just kidding, I love Lara.

Blue Bottle Coffee from The Ferry Building on Friday

Me and Jerry, a friend from way back in the day - high school!

Lunch at Golden Era on Friday

With Auntie Claudine (Mom’s cousin) and Mom

Birthday Party on Saturday

Me and Nikki

The big day finally arrived - meeting my favorite baby in the whole world! After many video chats, I couldn’t wait to see the little cherub in person. He comes complete with chipmunk cheeks and all the baby chub you could ever want in a neat little 14 lb. package of cuteness. I sent his mommy and daddy out on a date while Corin and I had some bonding time of our own. However a handful of 30 minute naps throughout the day is not conducive to staying up late when you’re only 11 weeks old, and he fell asleep over dinner. At 7pm. I guess my bro has a few things to teach his son about dating etiquette! Despite the faux pas, I am totally in love, and there will be plenty of other opportunities for us to chat and get to know each other. In the meantime, here are some of the highlights of our fabulous weekend.

Our first self-portrait

Having a chat and singing songs in the bouncy chair

Side conversation with mommy and daddy

That’s hilarious!

Deep thoughts require a little fist chewing.

Auntie Jen also tells funny jokes!

Check out those ham hocks, er, legs.

Spa time!

“Hey paparazzi, do you mind? I’m trying to relax here.”

Everyone loves a chubby baby!

Brushing my hair and getting handsome for my date with Auntie Jen

Mommy and Daddy cashing in on their coupons for babysitting and dinner.

The next morning, getting ready to see the grandparents.

At a family friend’s party, Mom fed Corin. Now that she’s retired, this might be her new hobby!

Rai (pronounced “rye”) is Ashley and Maciej’s latest adventure. He was born just before my nephew, and he’s my newest little buddy in SF. At 3 months, Rai can already sleep through the night. Lucky for mommy and daddy! Shhh, don’t tell my brother and sis-in-law…