Snapshots from our week

Play dates, extra weekday time with dad, loads of laundry and jogging with mom. Just a few photo highlights from our week! :) Happy Friday!

Photo shoot!

This weekend we took advantage of a special deal from a local photographer and had some pictures of our little family of three made! It was our first little family photo shoot. We had a great time scouting out a couple of great locations at sunset and Ephram was a model baby- not a single whine or cry. He must like having his picture made! Here's a sneak peek of the little man himself- cant wait to see the rest!

Best Buds

Ephram has been gaining interest in his buddy Bob over the past few weeks. It's cute to watch him try to interact with Bob & Bob is all too delighted to oblige. Usually with plenty of toe licking and a face lick if he can sneak it past me. He hardly leaves Ephram's side. I think a solid friendship is in the works :)

Roasted Red Pepper & Goat Cheese Pizza

 

On E's dairy free diet, I have really been missing homemade pizza nights.  I decided to give goat cheese a try as some dairy intolerant babies do tolerate goat cheese.  The pizza ended up being delicious & one of my husband's favorites so I had to share.   If you are a goat cheese fan, you will LOVE this pizza.

 

Here's what we used:

 

pizza dough (homemade or frozen, thawed)

1 TBSP oil

2 bell peppers (I used one yellow & one red)

1/4 tsp. black pepper, salt & garlic powder

2 large heirloom tomatoes, thinly sliced

4 oz goat cheese, crumbled

1 poblano pepper, thinly sliced

2 TBSP fresh basil, torn in large pieces

 

 

And here's what we did:

 

Preheat oven to 450*.  Roll out dough onto pizza stone.  Roast bell peppers over gas flame or in oven until charred all the way around. Set aside to cool, then deseed & chop into large pieces. Puree bell pepper with oil, salt, pepper & garlic until nice & smooth in food processor or blender.  Spread bell pepper puree over pizza dough.  Spread tomatoes, goat cheese, poblano & fresh basil over pizza.  Cook in oven 15-20 minutes or until crust is slightly browned around edges.  Let cool, slice & enjoy!!

 

We paired our pizza with a spinach salad with walnuts, avocado & grape tomatoes, drizzled with balsamic vinegar. A great compliment!



3 months old

Sweet little Ephram Fletcher is 3 months old today!

It is amazing how quickly time is passing & how much our handsome little man changes daily.  Weighing in at over 13 lbs & stretching past 25" long, he really is becoming a big boy!

Some things of note from this past month:

You took your first airplane ride (first four, actually) and did so well!  You even earned your wings.

You also took your first trip to Texas & loved it & met lots of new friends & family.  I think it's safe to say you're a Texas boy :) 

You have been examining your fingers quite studiously and they often end up in your mouth.

You have learned to reach for & grab objects; some favorites include your pacifier, monkey rattle & O-ball.

I heard my first true "haha" laugh from you yesterday!  I was playing with your feet (those who know me well, know the irony in this one) and you were overtaken with delight as I blew raspberries on your little feetsies & clapped them to my face.  

In the past week, I've seen the first signs of teething. No teeth yet, but plenty of drool, gnawing at fingers & little red cheeks all point to teething.

Bob has started to catch your attention!  You will only tolerate tummy time when he is around to entertain you.  I think a long lasting friendship is forming already :)
You can support your own head now--every now & again it gets a little wobbly, but for the most part you've got it down!

We love you little E man! 

Dairy Free Key Lime Gelato

credit


With the extreme heat we've been having lately, I have had some major cravings for icey cold drinks & treats. Unfortunately, E has me on a no dairy diet as he doesn't seem to tolerate it well, so many of my favorite drinks & treats are off the table. 

A few weeks ago I decided to try my hand at adapting an Epicurious recipe for Key Lime Gelato to meet my dairy free needs & I have to say it turned out to be quite a success! I love when that happens :)

Here's the recipe:

2- 14 oz. cans lite coconut milk
4 egg yolks
2/3 cup raw sugar
3 TBSP lime juice (key limes if available)
2 tsp lime zest

 Pour coconut milk into a double boiler or heavy bottomed saucepan. Place over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally so a skin doesn't form, until tiny bubbles start to form around the edges and the mixture reaches a temperature of 170°F.

Meanwhile, in a medium heat-proof bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth. Gradually whisk in the sugar until it is well incorporated and the mixture is thick and pale yellow. Temper the egg yolks by very slowly pouring in the hot milk mixture while whisking continuously. Return the custard to the saucepan and place over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon and it reaches a temperature of 185°F. Do not bring to a boil. Let cool at room temperature, cover & refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Gently whisk lime juice & zest into the base. Pour mixture into ice cream machine & churn according to product directions; freeze at least two hours before serving.


 ENJOY!

2 months old

And looking SO handsome!  Of course, I am just a wee bit partial :)

We haven't yet had his two month appointment but already, I can tell little man is getting SO long and if my vintage scale is right, he weighs upwards of 12lbs.

I think someone is taking after his daddy!

This month has been so fun; mommy & daddy soak up every little coo, smile and squeal.

A few noteworthy things from the second month:

You are smiling more and more every day & love smiling back at mommy and daddy.

In addition to lots and lots of cooing & "ahgoos" you have started these little exclamatory squeals...so cute!

Bath time is one of your favorites, it always calms you down.

Even more than bath time though, you love to have your hair washed and massaged.  We get the most smiles and even the beginnings of little giggles out of that. 

Mom & dad went on their first date without you this month & you were quite the sport.

At 6 weeks you started sleeping through the night (and mommy is so thankful!) and average about 8-9 hours per night.

You also moved to your big boy crib this month & are loving your superhero room :)

We have been so blessed in these two months & can't imagine life without you.

Love you, little man!