We Went To The Beach Today

Well, actually we played in our crab shaped sand box in the backyard, but it was just as fun. Thank you, NiNi, for an awesome birthday gift. Sophie, however, refused to get in the sand box because it was "dirdy", but was willing to help us out with some gardening.
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Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
And only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.
******* Elizabeth Barrett Browning

See, She Used to Like It

My mother sent me this picture of Grace when she liked her reverse walker. Hopefully we'll get back to this point soon.

Life's Hard and Scary

Grace got up this morning with a smile, ate a good breakfast (never know if she will), looked through some books and jabbered away and then when it was time to practice with the reverse walker, she threw a fit. This has been going on for about a week now. The frustrating thing is, when we first started using the reverse walker, she was a champ! Now, she cries and acts like it's just too hard or too scary. So, we've decided there will be no "walking" unless she uses her walker. She loves to walk as long as someone is helping her, either by holding her arms or her waist. I feel like a really mean mommy but I want her to learn to do things by herself. I want her to learn that it is her responsibility to get from A to B and that there will not always be someone there to help her...that sometimes it is hard and scary but we have to do it anyway. That's just the way life is sometimes, whether you have disability or not. I love you so much Grace that is why we can't "walk around" right now unless we use our walker. Hopefully she will understand that one day. Why am I crying right now? Maybe because it's just to hard to let your babies go.

3 of 350

I am going to post all of the 350 photos my sister took at the birthday party in Austin...3 at a time ;) Seriously...these are some cute kids!

Leash Your Children?! NEVER!!

Yes, I'm ashamed to say, I was one of "those people"...judging before experiencing. I would see people walking their children with a leash and I would gasp and judge. "I would never put a leash on my child! It is just awful!!"

Today, after recommendations from other triplets moms, I bought backpack/leashes for my trio. They are monkeys that can be used as backpacks but have this convenient detachable tail/leash attached. This afternoon I tried them out. Mack and Sophie both starting screaming after I put them on but I managed to coax them outside and distracted Sophie while letting her carry Grace's backpack (we will never call them leashes :) I pushed Grace in the stroller and held the "tails" on the other two. I felt like one of those dog walkers with a dozen dogs. Mack would go too fast, Sophie would go too slow and then the "tails" would get crossed. It was...ok, fun is not the word...I call these times adventures.

So, after having children myself, I have learned that you should never judge anyone until you are in their shoes. Leashes may actually be a necessity!

This One's For Jerry

Gracie loves her Jerry!

"We Just Do Things Differently"

Last Wednesday we started our weekly KinderMusik Class. There are about 12 children in the class, of which 3 are mine and 2 are my friend Dana's twins. Sophie, of course, loves it and had to sing and dance all alone in the center of the circle, in the center of attention. Mack was a bit shy, so insisted that he be held through a large portion of the class. He started to warm up to things in the second half but was still a bit clingy. So after an hour of standing, sitting and moving around while holding Mack and Grace I got quite a work out and am embarrassed to admit that my legs were sore the next day.

Anyway, that's not the best part of the story. As we are gathering up kids and putting shoes back on, Sophie cuddles up with this lovely mom, Julie. As I go to retrieve her, Julies asks me "So, how is it having triplets?"

"It's fun, but can be a bit challenging sometimes dealing with three 2-year olds and one with a disability." I reply. I'm not sure why I decided to be so forthcoming with this woman I just met. Maybe it was because I was feeling worn down that day or maybe it was just her warmth and sincerity that brought my guard down.

Julie then asked about Grace's disability and I explained that she had Cerebral Palsy. Julie response was "You may not have noticed but I have a disability. I am legally blind. I can't drive and I need assistance with some things. However, the disabled can do many things, we just do things differently."

I LOVE THAT!

Julie and her son Jack then helped me get the triplets out to the car.

btw...her son Jack has this beautiful long red hair. Mack and Jack have the best hair in the class :)

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John 9:1-3
As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

Whew...That's A Lot of 2 Year Olds

Mack, Grace and Sophie turned 2 on Aug 9 and we celebrated in Austin with their cousin Aubrey who turned 2 on Aug 19. My sister took 350 photos (she really did!), so these are just a few.

Update on Sophie

Sophie woke first from naps so I thought we would spend some alone time in the backyard looking at the flowers. So as we are walking around and talking about the "pretty" flowers (she says pretty) I noticed a HUGE mosquito on her forward so I shooed in away. Well, NOW she has a HUGE mosquito bite in the middle of her forhead. I'm expecting CPS to show up anytime :)

Mother of the Year Moment #75...

or so...I've lost count. This morning was beautiful! The kind of morning we don't typically get until October here in Dallas. Perfect for playing in the backyard. I will spare you all the details but as I'm herding my posse to the backyard, Sophie falls off the porch. I felt/feel horrible and so does she. After talking to the Ouch Mouse (she wouldn't let me put it on the boo boos), she is feeling better and strolling Baa around the house. Wearing a cute hat also makes her feel better...and me too.

Help...I Have Children Attached To Me

Allergies abound at our house and everyone is grumpy and wants to be held. So, this is what my day looks like.

Tickle Me Elmo Takes the Plunge

Last night after running the bath water, I took the kids out the highchairs and instructed to go to the bathroom for a bath. As I carry Grace into the bathroom, Mack and Sophie are standing there waiting for me (just like they know they are supposed to) and Sophie is pointing to the tub..."Elmo, bath". There is Elmo face down in the bathtub. Either he jumped in are someome threw him in. He is now drying out on the sink and will make a gurgling noise every now and then. Sophie is so upset she can't play with him. Elmo still looks happy but he's not laughing.

Great Article...Give It A Read

http://news.independent.co.uk/health/article2723237.ece

Hook 'em Horns!

Abe is ecstactic. It is his favorite time of year...football season! Today was Texas' first football game so Mack and Abe went to the neighbors' house for a watch party. The girls and I stayed home and watched the Sound of Music. They loved it and I can't wait until they know all the words to the songs like I do. I can see it now...the Lieck Family Singers ;)