meet:

Hootie. 

(pronounced 'WhoTee'...with two very distinct syllables.)

I realize he has made an appearance before, but until now, he's just been the nameless cozy coup that roams the backyard.

But his very proud owner found a suitable name. And Hootie has since been a part of our daily conversation and an oft sought after friend for times of solitude and reflection during this spot of nice weather.

The naming went something like:

J:  "I'm going to take Hootie to Walmart to get somefing."

B: "Take who?"

J:  "Hootie. My car."

And so it was.

And now you've had a proper introduction. Because I think Hootie may be joining us in many days to come...

4 months

{4 months}

found your voice... in a big way.

we've entered the great "keep swaddling?" debate.  you can bust out of it, yet don't know what to do with your arms once they're free.

oh, and sleep training. you're picking up quickly (and sleeping better), but I hate doing it. however, you've left us no other option.

still just an all around joyful baby.
16lbs. 8oz (77%) 26.5 in (91%). 

 continuing to love your brother more every day. he almost has you rolling over just to see him.

you actually took your first bottle. finally. and it wasn't as bad as you thought.
you continue to be pretty low key...and as long as you're full and rested, you're willing to hang out with about anyone.

comparison

We've been getting a lot of opinions lately about whether or not the boys look alike. I certainly think that they each have their own look, but you can definitely tell they're brothers. What do you think?

pre-bed wrestling

I have a feeling this is what is going to be happening in my living room for many years to come...

whole wheat blueberry scones

I made these the other day, and they were good. I'm not too dogmatic about only cooking healthy/with healthy ingredients (okay, not dogmatic at all...I like good food and would rather go with a moderation approach than an eating cardboard one) but when I stumbled across these on Pinterest, I thought I'd give them a whirl. Whole wheat flours, not much sugar, and substitute greek yogurt for some of the butter. I even pulled out my stash of blueberries (which I keep frozen from the summer and am a bit...stingy...with). Worth making. I know I will be again.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons turbinado
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
• zest of one lemon
• 3/4 -1 cup blueberries 
• 1/2 cup plain low fat Greek yogurt 
• 1/2 cup low fat milk 

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Combine flours, baking powder, sugar and salt in a bowl and whisk together.
3. Slice butter and drop into dry ingredients. If you have a pastry cutter, use it to cut the butter into the flour. If you don’t have a pastry cutter, use a knife to cut the butter into tiny pieces and mix it into the flour.
4. Add blueberries and lemon zest and gently stir. You can use frozen blueberries, no thawing necessary.
5. Gently mix in milk and yogurt. Eventually you’ll need to use your hands to knead the last of the flour into the dough.
6. Form dough into a circle about that’s about an inch deep all around. Cut the circle into 8 slices.
7. Separate slices and place on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper or foil.
8. Sprinkle the tops of the scones with a bit of raw sugar.
9. Bake for 15 minutes or until light brown

Speaking of Pinterest...I actually have made several things that I've pinned. Mostly recipes, but I will try to keep you apprised on my Pinterest productivity--so as to prove that my time pinning is most certainly time well spent.

the day that demanded sweatpants.

a lazy wednesday was just what the dr ordered. a cold rainy morning and not a thing on the calendar until 8pm. so we decided to just sit around, play with some of our toys, do a bit of laundry, watch a little tv (on the new tv which we finally purchased after we ben thoroughly researched, spreadsheeted, shopped. just a few basketball games in and we're already all "really?! it took us this long to finally just buy the thing?").

annnnnnnnd. listened to jonah's non-stop running commentary on daily life.

"i took my socks off. and i put them on my hands. look, mittens. when dad gets home it will be dark and we'll close the shades and do the dishes and turn on the lights and eat mine's oreos. and i will go potty in mine's potty. and get candy. look mom, i can make baby fatch so happy when i click mine's tongue. see!? here mom, i will help you up. whoa! you are very heavy. when's mine's dad coming home?"

and a couple nuggets from our week:

{sorry I sound so ridiculously bossy in some of these...}

happy monday!

Love,
the newest little photobooth fan and his mom.