March Madness, 2012...

March Madness has taken on a whole new meaning in this family...
In the past, it used to mean watching anxiously as the Zags take the championship of the WCC college basketball tournament and go on to the Big Dance.  It meant knowing terms like Cinderellas, Diaper Dandies, Bubble Teams, Final Four, etc.  Now, those terms and our March Madness in the Taylor household are defined by two little active toddlers named Cody and Callie. 
Then:
Cinderella - An unsuspecting team that surprises the field by doing the unthinkable and knocking off the top team(s)
Diaper Dandies - A term coined by Dick Vitale for Sensational Freshmen
Bubble Teams - Teams that were on the verge of making it into the the NCAA Basketball Tournament versus playing in the NIT. 
Final Four - The Top Four teams in the NCAA tournament

Now:
"Cinderella" - Callie's Corolle baby doll that she absolutely has to have at all times. 
"Diaper Dandies" - Cody and Callie!  We go thru so many diapers, that having a case delivered once a month is not enough! By the way, they wear a size three Pampers Swaddlers.  These are our favorite!
"Bubble Teams" - Cody and Callie love bubbles... at preschool, at My Gym and in the tub.  They love bubbles just about anywhere.  Even Grandma tracked down the bubble song by Alleyoop so we could play it with our new bubble machine.  Note to self, do not attempt bubble machine in the kitchen.  You will end up on your bum and so will your kiddos.  Those bubbles are slick!
"Final Four" - Callie's four adorable teeth (top two front, bottom two front); meanwhile Cody has 11, including 3 molars.  How's that for numbers?

Anyway, enough of the analogies and on to what really happened in March:
The month began with a bang.  Drew and I headed to Cabo San Lucas for a week long vacation away from the kids for the first time.  Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Wayne graciously loaned us their time share at Playa Grande and offered to watch the kids for the week, so Drew and I could celebrate my 25th, I mean 35th Birthday and get some much needed, long over due rest and relaxation.  It was an amazing trip, but we couldn't help but think of those two rascals all week long.  We even managed to skype a couple times while away.  Not sure Cody and Callie truly understood who was talking to them on the computer screen, but it was so wonderful to see their smiling faces. 

"Toes in the Sand...Cold Beers in our Hands"

Drew writing Cody and Callie's names in the sand at Sunset!

Cody and Callie's names in the sand!

Love of my life!

During the flight home I was full of anticipation of seeing the kids.  I pictured them running to us with open arms, squealing in delight.  I was just so excited to get home to my two little cherubs. But when Grandma and Grandpa strolled up  to baggage claim with Cody and Callie, the confusion on their faces was not what I had pictured in my head. - NOT AT ALL :(  Had they forgotten who we were?  Were they mad at me for leaving them?  Oh the Catholic guilt!!! They clung to Grandma and Grandpa like we were complete strangers...was it my tan?  Was it all the weight I put on in one week by drinking beer, eating my heart out, and sitting on my duff all week?  Their confusion nearly broke my heart.  But I understood.  Whether they were mad or uncertain who we were... it didn't take long for them to remember... A few sweet hugs later and Cody and Callie knew exactly who we were.  One thing I know for sure is that I left for Cabo as one exhausted Mother and frazzled Wife and returned refreshed and rejuvenated in both regards.  Just what any doctor would have ordered, but certainly what Andrew and I needed to be the best parents we can be and the best husband and wife that we can be!   And as MY Grandma Tyrrell would have said "Many, Many Thanks" to Wayne and Nancy/Mom and Dad for taking such great care of our children and for setting up such a wonderful getaway for us.  I know the kids were in great hands and were loved each and every moment.  I hope that by now you have recovered from sleep deprivation.  

Not long after we returned, Grandpa Wayne turned the ripe old age of _ _.  Of course we had to celebrate by going out to eat and decided we would go to Claim Jumper in Redmond.  Cody and Callie were in true form - entertaining and always the center of attention.  Happy Birthday Grandpa Wayne!  We love you!

The following week, Grandma Lauren flew up from California to stay with us.  What a wonderful week we had together.  I am certain that she was blown away with the progress Cody and Callie have made since December.  In fact, in just the week she was visiting, they made daily developments right before our eyes.  This is such a fun stage for Cody and Callie and I am so glad she was able to come up to witness it!  During her week stay we ate at Z'Tejas in Bellevue, she joined us at preschool, came to My Gym, had lunch at Red Robin with Drew, we went to Gasworks Park, Ivars Salmon House, The Woodland Park Zoo, many walks up to the school and in Kirkland.  It was a busy week,  indeed!  We loved having Grandma Lauren here to stay with us.  She was a great help and loved reading to the kids, holding them, singing to them, walking with them, and just being a wonderful Grandma! Here are some photos from our outings!

Cody Checking out Lake Union from Gaseworks Park

Callie at Gasworks Park

Drew, Cody, Callie and Lauren at Red Robin

Grandma Lauren and Callie at Ivars - Callie just loved taking the cap on and off of her sippy cup!

Grandma Nancy and Grandma Lauren with Cody and Callie in front of Ivars

Grandma Lauren with Callie at Gasworks park

Cody in front of Lake Union and Seattle Skyline at Gasworks Park

Callie with the Space Needle behind her.

Grandma Lauren with Cody and Callie up at the school playground.

Grandma Lauren, Drew, C&C at the Zoo

During Lauren's visit we decided that since Cody and Callie were making daily developments, that we should really write all these things down... so here is what we came up with:

Cody -
Has 11 teeth including 3 molars
Drinks from sippy cups for all milk except right before bed
He claps, waves, dances, laughs and blows raspberries
He loves hats and riding on his train or giraffe.  Cannot push with feet yet, but loves to be pushed or just sit.
Will put the phone to his ear like he is talking on the phone.  
Will take a ball out of the bin and put back if asked.
Can climb stairs, turn around and back down the stairs.
Loves books - can go pick out a book, bring it to you and ask to be picked up so you can read to him.  He can turn pages of board books one by one, identify objects on the page and verbalizes as well as points to them.
Cody loves bath time - he loves to splash and doesn't mind water in his face.
Cody sleeps thru the night !!! and falls asleep in his crib in the nursery on his own for naps and bedtime.  
Can say the following words: hat, dog, head, daddy, up, on/off, ball
Can sign "more"
Eats: crackers, strawberries, loves yogurt, melon, any kind of meat, raspberries, cheese, carrots, but mostly wears his meals on his face and head.

    
Understands: bath, paci, shoes, books, bottle "Ba", dinner, out, jacket, ball.
Can imitate the sound " moo" 
Wears 12 month clothes
Cody also loves sensory time.  I put together a bin full of lentils, spread out a plastic table cloth on the kitchen floor and let him have at it.  Callie was still napping so it was a perfect time for just Cody and I to spend some time playing.... please disregard the wine bottles in the back ground!

Callie -
Has only 4 teeth
Drinks from sippy cups for all milk except right before bed, can use a straw sippy cup. 
Loves to ride in her big pink car!
Dances to songs on the t.v or radio
Loves Elmo, Thomas the Train
Loves to eat blueberries, strawberries, cuties oranges (too many and she gets a rash!) Eats: crackers, strawberries, raspberries, cheese.

She claps, waves, dances, laughs and blows raspberries
Can climb stairs, turn around and back down the stairs.
Loves books - can go pick out a book, bring it to you and ask to be picked up so you can read to him.  She can turn pages of board books one by one, identify objects on the page and verbalizes as well as points to them.
Callie has a hard time falling asleep on her own.  She wants to be held to fall asleep.  She wakes easily and usually we give in and bring her into bed with us.  She wakes around 4/5am to nurse and goes back to sleep until 8/8:30am. 
Can say the following words: hat, dog, head, daddy, more, up, on/off, ball, Hi
Can sign "more"
Understands: bath, paci, shoes, books, diaper, shoes, sit down, out, jacket, ball.
Can imitate the sound " moo" "baaaa" "woof"
Wears 9 month clothes
Callie loves soft cuddly things - blankets, stuffed animals big and small and loves her baby doll.  She even managed to carry a stuffed dog larger than two of her put together up the stairs at preschool and down the slide with her.  The girl loves her stuffed animals!

Cody and Callie love to play with the magnets on the fridge.  They love to peel them off and put them back on.  They haven't figured out why one side sticks and one doesn't but, hey, it keeps them busy for a short time while I do dishes, make dinner or clean up! 

They are also in love with the iPad.  I have downloaded a Peek-a-Boo game, a music game and a learning game about body parts like eyes, ears and nose... my screen is never clean and my battery is always running low, but I just love watching them play so it is worth it!

Multi tasking - iPad and eating snack!

Cody and Callie are in love with going to the park/playground and especially love swings and slides.  Most of the time we take a quick trip up to the school to the playground, but sometimes we will venture to McAulliffe or Waverly or some of the parks down town.  Cody and Callie will go round and round... up the stairs, turn around, down the slide and back up the stairs again.  It is fun to see them so adventurous and fearless. 

We also had a special treat at preschool. Teacher Paula brought her daughter's bunny rabbit to school so we could take Easter pictures. Callie adored the bunny. She hugged it just like she would her stuffed animals. It was so sweet and a wonderful treat from our teacher. 

Cody and Callie love their big cars which were a X-mas gift from the Bielli's.  They love to ride in them and just for a quick outing, we get our coats on, shoes on and jump into the seats of the cars and go get the mail.  Then, I pull them up the hill and let them free "fall" down the hill.  They squeal with delight and it makes my heart skip a beat.  I just love to see them so happy!  And boy, if that is one thing these kiddos are, it's HAPPY!

And when it is too rainy or dark to ride outside, Cody and Callie will be just as happy playing with the cars inside!  Gotta love the simplicity and the innocent joy these kids have in life!

I think that about wraps up all of our March Madness in the Taylor Household!