See Ya Cisco!

I say "See ya" because there is a chance we'll be back.   Though Landon's internship wasn't what he had in mind, he would still like to work for Cisco after graduation.  There is a strong possibility he will get a job offer so we are being optimistic and hope Cisco will be one of a few companies he'll get to choose from, fingers crossed.  We are so grateful for the Cisco internship opportunity and had a great time exploring California as a family of three.  The internship extended Landon's MBA program a little but has turned out to be a good thing, better resume for fall recruiting season, more time to find his dream job, and now he gets to go to Africa with a consulting team for Exon Mobile this fall.  We were glad it was a paid internship but didn't leave with the savings we had hoped for, monthly rent of $2100 for a tiny one bedroom apartment stinks.  It's just one of those things you do to live in Silicon Valley.  (If we become permanent residents of California we'll be able to find something more reasonable I'm sure.) 

Landon got to go indoor Skydiving for his closing social (he was the photographer) and I took Capri in to meet his co-workers on his last day (you can see Capri and I had a lot of fun with the self portraits while waiting for Landon to wrap things up.)  One of Landon's co-workers, Ramprasad, gave Capri the most beautiful Sari from India,  I can't wait until it fits her!  Capri is truly a global baby with clothes from all over - Europe, China, India, and I'm sure Landon will find something from Africa.  Cisco, it was a pleasure, thank you for the fun summer.

Capri is 5 Months

Here's what Capri is doing at 5 months:

-She rolls all over the place, from front to back and back to front.  She is figuring out how to roll to get what she wants and Landon and I have even seen her scoot a little.
-She is so close to sitting up, she will sit until she sees something that she wants and then tips over.  She looks so proud of herself sitting up!
-Capri babbles and says Ma ma ma ma and it totally sounds like she says Landon when she's mad.
-Capri LOVES to make noise.  She figured out how to put her hand in front of her mouth to filter the noise, I can't think of what to call it... you know ah ah ah ah :)  She is always talking and most of the times it's not with her quiet voice. I am trying to figure out how to bring her down a few volume levels, but I love that she's trying to communicate.
-We still haven't heard Capri laugh.... if she wasn't smiling so much for us I'd be worried.
-Capri loves to be on her feet . When she stomps them in front of the mirror it looks like she's dancing.  We usually let her do it before we put her in the bath and call it her naked dance, it's so cute.  We need to get her a jumper.
-She puts her own paci in, yay! She can almost hold her own bottle.  She does but then acts so surprised when she moves her hands and the bottle falls.
- She is a social girl and loves commotion and being around other people.  We have to go outside everyday because she gets cabin fever.  I know, your'e thinking how does a baby get cabin fever, they aren't that aware of their surroundings..... but she totally is, and we both need the fresh air.
-Capri gives her smiles freely to anyone that will give her a little attention.
-Sleeping during the day is getting so much better.  She is finally letting me just swaddle her, cuddle for a minute, and lay her down without putting up a fight.  This is huge for us.  She's also sleeping for longer periods of time instead of the 20 minute naps we were getting before.  I used to feel like I was spending my entire day trying to get Capri to nap and when she finally went to sleep she was awake 20 minutes later and we'd start the whole process over again.  Exhausting, but I'm so happy it's gotten better!  We know when she's had enough sleep because she wakes up so happy and smiley!  I'm going to be sleep training next week and hope we can get her to sleep through the night soon. Just when I though we were close, we had a few random nights where she has gotten up every 2-3 hours, ugh.  I'm happy when she's sleeping, but I do have to say I miss my pal and look forward to getting her up.
-We had Capri sleeping in a Fisher Price Rock N Play and finally had to move her to a crib. I'm actually surprised we made it work for as long as we did.  She figured out how to sit up in it and kick her feet to make it rock.  As soon as I would lay her down she would start to kick her feet and smile no matter how close to sleep she was.  That lasted one day and then on to the crib.
-Capri is starting to cuddle.  I wondered if I'd ever have a cuddly baby but it's looking like we might have a chance! She even wraps her arms around my neck or holds on tight to my shoulder when she puts her head down.  When she's drinking her bottle she wants to hold my hand or put her hand on my face.  Such a sweetie.  This is cuddly thing is still rare, more of the time she wants to be looking around or thinks I'm trying to put her to sleep and arches her back!
- Capri is a good listener.  She looks over to see who's talking and she is so good when I read her stories.  She at least looks like she's listening and liking it. I talk to her in the car while I'm driving and watch her little reaction in the mirror because she knows I'm telling her something she needs to listen to.
-Capri loves her baths and loves swimming in the pool. She likes to kick her feet like crazy and goes such a long time for how much energy she's exerting.  She usually doesn't mind getting her whole head under in the shower now.

I love my Capri and can't believe how fast this is going!  

Look at her double her size in five months

I haven't taken her 5 month Laundry basket photo yet....

Last Visit

We are leaving California this weekend so we had to get one more Chiropractor visit in before we left. Capri has seen the Chiropractor about ten times and I feel like the visits have helped so much with her colic, sleeping, and spitting up.  When Capri was about 7 weeks old I was reading up on Colic wondering if there was anything out there that helped.  I came across a couple articles and comments about chiropractic work, but knew that could get expensive and didn't know where to start searching for a chiropractor that works on babies.   The very next day Landon and I were on a walk and saw our friends Steve & Ashley throwing a ball outside our apartment with friends.  We went over to say hello and they introduced us to Marc & Cassey.  Marc told me he was a graduating chiropractic school in a few months and worked at the clinic next door.  When I asked if he worked on babies he said that he was specializing in pediatrics...... yes, it was an answer to my prayer.  I am so grateful for the progress Capri has made, she is a different baby!  Every visit Capri has a full diaper and an awesome nap shortly after leaving.  Dr. Waters in the Clinician and LOVES Capri, he gets the best smiles out of her and she is so entertained by him (the picture doesn't show it, but believe me she gets a kick out of him!)  Capri has gone several days without a melt down and is starting to actually take longer naps without waking up every 15-20 min.  This morning she slept for 2.5 hours YAY!  Capri just turned 5 months old so she could be growing out of her fussy stage, but I know I couldn't have gotten through these last few months with out the help of Marc.  I sure love my delightful baby.

I want to be a Jackson

If you know the Jacksons, you probably say the same thing.   The Jacksons are the most thoughtful, kind, and service oriented people I know, and as you can see, absolutely beautiful.  This last week Ryan and Kelsey stayed with us and we loved it, we need to live by them one day.  I want our children to play together and spend summers like Ryan and Landon did growing up.

Landon and Ryan are second cousins and first played together at age eight when the Jackson's stopped in Utah on a RV trip.  They asked if Landon wanted to join them and the rest is history.  Ryan and Landon have spent every summer from age eight until their missions together.  Basketball camps, scout camps, swimming in the Arizona heat, and playing video games all summer long.  JC and Lynn treated Landon like he was one of their own and welcomed me just the same loving way.  When Landon and I first moved to Arizona to begin school at Thunderbird I was searching for a job.  Lynn told me I could come help her organize and clean out her already spotless house and few times a week.  I was overpaid to come shadow one of the women I want to be like,  I called it my "internship with Lynn."   We talked while we worked and I got to watch Lynn interact with her children, neighbors, and even the repairman.  I think she talked with each one of her children on the phone at least once everyday I was with her and the man that came to fix the blinds left with lunch and a generous tip.  I could go on and on about the thoughtful kindness I've watched JC and Lynn render and their children that follow their lead.  Landon and I tell each other that we want to be like the Jackson's on a regular basis.    

Ryan and Kelsey are taking advantage of the break Ryan has from medical school and we were lucky enough to fit into one of their many vacations.  Since Landon had to work during the day, Ryan and Kelsey went off exploring in San Francisco and then hung out at our place at night.  We ate yummy dinners, too many desserts, and loved staying up late talking.  Ryan and Kelsey were the hardest working guests I've ever had, ha ha!  I would turn around and there they were doing the dishes or taking care of Capri.  Landon and I went on an evening run and came back to hot dinner that Ryan and Kelsey made while we were running.....I know right?!   The Jacksons are sneaky- filling up your car with gas or buying you ice cream when you're not looking.  Ryan and Kelsey left us with the sweetest thank you gift and the movie Tangled for Capri, as if they hadn't already done enough.  Yes, we love them so much.  In fact, before Ryan got married, Landon told me that if he died, he would want me to marry Ryan Jackson.  I didn't even know Ryan when he first told me that, but now I can see why.  Ryan and Kelsey are some of the most selfless people I know!  Sure love you guys, thanks for the fun week!

Sunday Concert in the Park

Last Sunday we got together with the Hoopers one last time before they went on vacation and we moved.  Andrea made us delicious crepes.  I thought we would never finish the giant stack she put on the table, but they disappeared with only one or two remaining!   We went to San Jose University for a concert in the park, what a great Sunday activity.  This week was a patriotic theme and I loved it, I also loved the free ice cream!  We will miss the Hoopers but we'll try to meet up with them over the holidays when we both visiting our families in Utah. Who knows, we might end up back here in January if Landon gets a job with Cisco.  Thanks for showing us around Hoopers, you have been fabulous friends!

Monday I got to watch Capri Hooper for a few hours while Andrea took Hayden to Great America to ride the "big kid" rides.  I got a few last pictures of the Capri's playing together.  They seem so far apart in age now but will actually be in the same school year!  Can't wait to watch them grow up.

Happy Birthday Landon

Happy Birthday Love.

 I hope your 27th year is just as exciting as your 26th.  Your 26th year started in China and ended in California, a few stops in-between, and picked up a baby along the way.  It will be a tough year to top,  but I'm sure we are in for many more adventures this year!   You are amazing and have done so much to make your goals become a reality, your life progress deserves celebrating,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!

Today Landon woke up to this-

I know, he turned 27, not 7, but I thought it was fun. 

Capri thought making Daddy's cake was fun.

I love how she's trying to hold the spatula with her foot in one of the pictures

Landon had a 3 hour lunch with his co-workers to celebrate his birthday and they also wanted to go out before their boss returns from India on Monday.  Yesterday Landon got to meet the President of Cisco for his birthday, I guess Cisco does a monthly birthday breakfast which is cool.  After Landon finished work, we met up with the Cushman's, Samuelson's, and Hoopers to BBQ at the park.  The Samuelson's are leaving tomorrow to go back to Michagan so we had one lasts good-bye with them.  They have been fun friends and I am so glad we have been able to get to know them and learn from their examples of kindness.  They are another one of those awesome couples that the world is lucky to have! We came  home from the BBQ to open presents and the Landon cuddled with Capri.  Landon is in need of new clothes so hopefully I can talk him into going shopping tomorrow to pick out a few more birthday things.  Landon is so simple and easy going, he doesn't care about clothes and is content wearing the same things until they are about to fall apart.  In fact, I can't remember the last time we went shopping for Landon!  I just wish I could convince him to spend the money on himself.

Above is Landon's birthday treat request: chocolate covered cookie dough

Our friends Jordan and Brooke have inspired me.  They take birthday celebrations serious and have an entire "Birthday Weekend" filled with lots of presents, fun activities, eating out, and friends.  It made me realize that birthdays should be a big deal.   Landon and I have always said we don't need anything special, but let's be honest, who doesn't love a little birthday love and a day all about them?  Your family members are worth celebrating and should feel loved and special everyday, but why not one big celebration too?   Now that we have Capri I've been thinking about the traditions I would like to start and how I can make her childhood birthdays memorable.  I want birthdays to be fun for the birthday boy or girl, but also exciting for the entire family.  Lynn Jackson made up a birthday song for her family and I love it!  The Jacksons also go all out on birthdays by decorating the house (even the outside), making the day all about the birthday person, and each person at the party tells one thing they like about the birthday boy or girl.  I forgot to do that tonight, but I think Landon would have been a little embarrassed.   Last year when we were in China I had a little extra time and wrote a list of 26 reasons to celebrate Landon here and  added number 27 below.

27. I love watching you be a Dad.  It warms my heart to see you put a smile on Capri's face as soon as you're in sight.  She absolutely adores you. I love that you come home for lunch as often as you can just to hold her and squeeze her.  It's apparent that you would do anything for your girls and have been a wonderful Dad in these few short months already.  Your love for her is sweet and you defiantly have something together that no one can touch.

Happy Birthday Landon.... let the birthday festivities continue!