Sweet Little Girls and Wicked!

Capri got to practice being a friend this week when the Valenzuela's came to visit.  There were many sweet moments shared between these girls, but we still have lots to work on before baby number 2 arrives! You never know what you are going to get with Londyn's sweet and sensitive personality and our spirited Capri.  My rockstar friend Abby just finished the certification to become a Body Pump Instructor here in Houston. It worked out perfect for them to come stay with us and play in between her classes. I can't even work out for an hour right now, I don't know she did full days of it!

^The giant night brite board was definitely a highlight of the Children's Museum for the girls.  They looked so dang cute doing everything. Oh I hope sleeping in a carseat is more comfortable than it looks.  Lucky for us when these girls napped at the same time.^

^I just love water babies!^

^^I got to see WICKED on Saturday with my darling friends Lyza and Christi from church.  I've been wanting to see it for years and was beginning to feel like I was the only one who hadn't seen it.  The music is incredible!  Even though it was so hot outside, I insisted on putting on my blazer to hide my 19 week (only 19, even though feel like I'm measuring 29 weeks) pregnant belly. I didn't quite get the jacket and shirt combo on right for the second picture, serves me right.^^

^^Saturday was a busy day- Abby had her Body Pump classes, Gabe was still at scout camp, and I had a friend's birthday lunch and Wicked, so that left Landon to watch the girls by himself that day.  I was secretly hoping Landon would get a better idea of what being a full time mommy is like- how fun, yet how exhausting it can be.  Well, once again he proved to me that he is better at everything!  I walked in to find out the girls had been to the pool, fed, napped, and redressed with matching clothes and hair bows. Gabe arrived while I was gone, but the boys had it so under control that Landon sent tired Gabe to take a nap and recover from scout camp while the girls happily watched a movie.  I love that he got out the rocking horses to ride while watching the movie (in a clean house I might add!).  He's a keeper.^^

 ^One last park visit and lunch before the the Valenzuela girls headed home. Capri might begin to expect these lunch dates with girlfriends, she totally enjoys them.  We learned that salad bar is the way to go to keep these girls happy!^

Lately....

The days pass by and even though nothing "eventful" happens, these are the best days!

^Capri is a book worm and is starting to read with me- I pause and she says the word.  She only does this with our four or five favorite books, but it knocks the socks off of me!  Now that Capri can say more words, I'm surprised at how much she has actually retained over the months of reading books^

Capri just turned 16 months.  I haven't been writing down her milestones since she turned one so now is as good as ever.  

• Capri is saying all of her colors even though she usually only gets the color pink right when we point to things (blue and orange are getting there)
• "where it go?" "Outside" "oh-no" "Again!""Book" "Watch Show" are some words we hear a lot around here, but she usually tries and repeats the last word of most things I say.  My favorite that I've heard recently is "I sorry," she has said it to me and when she gets hurt herself.
• She is into "ICE" and brings me a measuring cup to fill with crushed ice from the fridge.
• We are working really hard on getting Capri to use her inside voice, but she just can't contain her happy screams.  I've tried reading what to do and most things say it's just a phase.  I'm starting to feel exhausted besides embarrassed when it comes to keeping her quiet. 
• Capri loves to type on the keyboard and find the letter "C." She points "C" out to me in signs and books which amazes me.  I was so impressed with her cousin who could spell his name just before he turned 2 and wondered if Capri could do it.  So far she spells "C-A-P" and once she spelled "C-A-P-I." 
• Balls, books, bubbles, playing outside, swimming, blocks, dancing, singing, and the park are probably her favorite activities.  I've tried coloring a few times, but she wasn't a big fan. Dress ups and purses are creeping up on the list.
• Lately Capri has been getting in to my craft cupboard and pulling out the gift bags.  I find them around the house filled with various treasure- blocks, stuffed animals, balls etc.
• Noodles, strawberries, and avocados have always been a hit and are still her favorites. Oh, and turkey dogs as long as Landon's not home.  Yesterday I asked Capri if she wanted a popsicle.  I turned around from getting it out of the freezer and she was already in her highchair.  I thought "Did I put her in there already?"  Nope.  She climbed in herself and sat down with no trouble at all.  I guess I'm not surprised- she started walking at 9 months, jumping with both feet off the ground at 11, somersaults and kicking balls down the street before 13. I guess climbing into her highchair and the ladder on the playground is next thing to do.
• We went on a walk today and Capri could see her shadow the entire time.  I watched her move around and pause while trying to figure it out.  Finally she blew the shadow a kiss and said "Bye-Bye" before taking off running.  It was probably the cutest thing ever.  
• Capri is still busy, busy, busy.  Her attention span is getting longer, but our activities don't last long before she's on to the next activity, or should I say next mess?  She is playing better by herself more and more everyday. She still wants to do whatever I'm doing most of the time, but will play in the toy room for a few minutes if what I'm doing isn't very fun.  

^A sweet lady in my ward sent her son over to play with Capri while I got some projects done.  It was the greatest service, I have to remember to do that when our kids our older.   Capri and I are both thankful Capri has been able to come to nursery with me the last few months.  She loves singing time and we are working on sitting still for the lesson.  She does the actions for the songs at home with me, but likes to sit and watch the other children when we get to church. ^

^After church nap bed head.  I am not patient with puzzles so I'm glad she is finally doing them on her own without my help. ^

 ^The pool is heaven for Capri and is always more fun when Dad can come too, (here but not pictured)^

^Wish I could say this entertained her for hours, but the twenty minutes was still fun.^

^This was the morning I heard Capri yelling "outside" from her crib and could not be convinced of anything more fun until we left the house.  She was too big for the little playground and went straight for the big slides. ^

^ regular dance party in the kitchen with mixing bowl hats.  Don't worry, she gave me one too.^

^ yummy salads (Spicy Honey Chicken and Chicken BLT) because my doctor says the pregnancy weight is creeping up too fast.  Ugh, no one wants to hear that.  I gained 10lbs the second my body knew it was pregnant with Capri too.

^Insisted on taking her purse on our walk.  Didn't realize this girly thing would start so young! (Well.... she did drop her purse on the sidewalk when she saw a basketball)^

 ^My favorite moment of the week.  Capri learning about one of life's simple pleasures- milk and homemade chocolate chip cookies.  She looked so cute in that big Tshirt we made at the children's museum and even cuter dipping her cookie in milk.  I had to step back and think "Is this really my life?" These two dipping cookies in the same glass belong to me and I couldn't be luckier.  It came at the perfect time.  Landon and I just got done talking about some of our current goals.  I really wanted to spend some money decorating and having painters come do the interior of our house, but when we prioritized our wants, spending time with family, traveling, and paying off school debt came above that.
We were on the same page, but I was feeling bummed because I was anxious to start turning our house into what I wanted our home to look like.  This little moment with milk and cookies helped me see that the most important things to me were right in front of me and life is good!  Who cares about paint and bedroom furniture when I get to spend time with the people I love the most.  I get to spend my days kissing this girl's sweet cheeks and it brings me so much happiness and joy.  I have the most wonderful husband.  Landon really would be a much better house husband than I am wife.  He doesn't forget to change the laundry, keeps vacuumed lines in the carpet, and paints stars in the sky for Capri, but still lets me stay home with her while he works long days.  How blessed and lucky am I?!  Nothing like a little glass of milk and cookies to put things into perspective. I am thankful.

Dad Works, We Play

We like to send Landon random video messages while he is at work and this one I had to share from a little over a week ago because Capri was trying to spell her name for Landon and is wearing dress ups for the first first time, pretty much the most adorable thing. (Oh don't mind the toys, we play hard and then clean up) The second clip is from our trip to see the horse, she's full of love.

^Carpi still 15 months^

^Capri just turned 16 months^

Splash Pad

Last week we met up with my cousin Katie and her two little boys to play in the fountains at Market Street.  They just moved to Conroe for Ryan's residency. I spent many summers in Wyoming playing with Katie growing up and I stayed with her my first year of college in Arizona.  Now here we are, less than 30 minutes away from each other. It will be fun to have someone to go on outings with the kiddos.  Capri loves water and got a kick out of flipping her hair in the fountain. She also loved the pink flowers. This week it is her favorite color and ninety percent of the time she is right when she says "pink" and points.  The week before her favorite color was blue when I asked her.

She's Got the Beat

Today we were driving home from the grocery store listening to Baby Einstein Music.   I caught a glimpse of Capri in the back seat directing the classical music with both hands, right on beat.  It was so cute that I wanted to pull over and take a picture.   She used to shout “a-gaiN, a-gaiN!” after a song ended in the car.  Now before I even start the music in the car she is already saying “a-gaiN, a-gaiN!”  Capri has always loved music and it excites me.  When Capri was just 2 months old she would kick her little feet to the beat of music, every night before her bath we would sing while she danced in front of the mirror, she loves playing the piano, leading the music in church, and she starts dancing or clapping along anytime she hears a beat.  I am so impressed with her rhythm; she definitely does not get it from me.  Her Dad on the other hand is one heck of a singer and the all the Pitchers have musical talent.  I hope she continues to love and feel music like she does now.   I made an amateur video of some moments caught on our cell phones, I wish they were better quality, but I'm at least glad we have them! Music is a part of her daily life and I wish I had more of it on tape, I'll just have to be more prepared to catch the little songs we sing and dance parties we have in the kitchen with mixing bowls on our heads!  Is this little girl really going to be 16 month this week?

Independence Day

Being away from Utah and family on the 4th is like being away for Christmas... well, it's sad anyway.  It's hard knowing your family is doing the same traditions and we are not part of the fun! I thought we'd start some of our own traditions and take Capri to a parade this morning, but decided the heat and traffic wasn't worth it. 

^^ Instead we went to the downtown YMCA to workout and Landon played basketball.  Just as I was finishing my workout I got paged to the kids club because Capri was crying.  It was almost a relief, I was beginning to think that girl didn't know the difference between a stranger and her parents because she's so social, but apparently she missed us.^^

 ^^Afterwards we drove to the Nike outlet hoping they were having a sale.  Landon found some awesome basketball shoes and he was as cute a kid on Christmas with excitement.  Capri loves the Nike store and goes straight to the ball bin.  I think she tried out every ball in the basket.  She usually runs around the store with a ball and it's exhausting keeping up with her.  Landon was brilliant and let her try on a pair of adult cleats.  She loved them and kept them on until it was time to leave, we loved them because they slowed her down and we didn't have to chase her and a basketball all over the store; fast pace turned into a shuffle.^^

^^We swam in our community pool until Capri was tuckered out.  It's so nice that all we have to do is walk across the grass at the end of our street to get to the pool. Capri is getting so good at making motor boat sounds in the water (Landon's teaching her how to breath out under water), floating on her back, and moving herself along the wall.  She is fearless when it comes to swimming and wants us to let go of her in the pool. Landon says it's a good thing, but it scares me. 

^^We went to the Walkers for dinner with some others in our ward, caught some street fireworks, and drove up to The Woodlands just in time to see the big fireworks off the side of the road. My camera and phone died for the big fireworks, but firework pictures hardly turn out anyway and all look the same right? Next year we'll go a little earlier so we can lay out a blanket and listen to the concert. Since Friday is a work day for Landon, we decided to watch our traditional movie, The Patriot, tomorrow night.  I think that's about the only 4th of July tradition we have followed since we have known each other besides the Kaysville Parade and get together with the Pitchers.  The first 4th of July I knew Landon I wasn't feeling good. He came to my college apartment and watched The Patriot with me instead of going out and seeing fireworks.  We have watched it every year since, even when we were in Lithuania. Landon is one of the most Patriotic people I know and loves the USA.  It was one of many things that attracted me to him when we were dating.  When we were traveling, Landon always made people feel like their country was beautiful and special when talking to them, (because usually it was easy to find something we loved about their country); but in private, Landon would constantly tell me why we are so incredibly blessed to live in the US.  Traveling has helped us both appreciated this beautiful country we live in more than ever.  I get emotional when I think "how did I get to be one of the lucky ones born here?" We are truly proud to be Americans and feel grateful and blessed to be free and call this country home.  Happy Independence Day!