Halloween 2006

Last year we were the Lieck Fertility Clinic. We had a lot of fun with these costumes. The kids scrubs were made by my friends Jackie and Beth. Check back later for this year's costumes...it's going to be a wild time.

Are the Pumpkins Getting Smaller...

or are my kids getting bigger!? These pictures are from the Pumpkin Patch last year. They are growing up too fast!!!

I'm Not Adjusting Anymore

As you all know, our trio was born 3 months early, so for the first 2 years of their lives we talked in adjusted months rather than real months. Doctor and developmental appointments focused on their adjusted age. It gave them sort of a grace period to reach developmental milestones. In addition, I felt when discussing milestones with friends and acquaintances I had to explain that...yes they are X months in real age but only Y months in adjusted age. It made me feel better when comparing to other children...it helped me feel almost normal. I still have people ask...when did they start talking, walking, etc. Well, we're not adjusting anymore. Does it really matter how we compare to everyone else? We all have a different perspective. We still have a few minor developmental issues for Mack and Sophie and few major ones for Grace but it is all in the perspective. Billie explains this perfectly in her blog about Perspective.

Pumpkins on Sunday

I can't figure out how to post more than 5 photos at a time so we have two postings today. (if anyone know how please tell me). This pumpkin patch was at a cute little church near us. Kathryn went with us as well as Brian and Angie and their 7 week old cutie, Sydney.

Pumpkins on Saturday

I love this time of year...pumpkin patches galore and harvest festivals everywhere (I think everyone is really glad we can finally stand being outdoors...in has finally broken 90 degrees). So anyway, the photos above are from the festival at Tietze Park near our house. The pumpkin in Sophie's photo came home with us and she had to sleep with it. Hmmm...never cuddled up to a pumpkin before. Abe's favorite part of the afternoon was the chili cook-off. He tried them all...ok I did too.

This Is How You Eat Ice Cream

In an effort to fatten up my skinny little girls I decided they should learn about ice cream. The best way to eat it is straight out of the carton...don't you think ;) It was a big hit!

Inclusion - We Have A Long Way To Go

As I begin thinking about pre-school for my trio, my main concern has been Grace. Where should she go? Will she fit in? Isn't it fitting that I came across this...Including Samuel?

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow??

This is the status of Mack's hair today. It is really getting long but oh so pretty! He was going to be Peter Frampton (does anyone remember him) for Halloween but we've nixed that idea (because no one remembers) so it can now be cut. We are still debating whether to cut it. What would you do?

Four Seasons?

Living in Dallas means we don't get the four seasons and I really hate that! Love our winters but guess you can't have it all. Check out Autumn in Utah on Mel's Blog...Amazing!!!

Ohhh Sissy

Grace is doing much better with her walker. Thanks to everyone who has been asking about her. Even though Grace has special needs, she is a typical stubborn two year old...testing her mommy all the way. She is really motivated to use her walker if we make a game out of it. She loves to chase Mack and Sophie and they love for her to. Of course, every few steps Sophie has to run and hug her sister with an "Ohhh Sissy". Melts my heart every time.

A bit later, while I am preparing lunch I hear a lot of laughter from the living room...the kind of laughter that sounds like they are up to something. Well, Sophie had crawled in the stroller and Mack was pushing her. They were have too much fun.

Another Zoo Trip

We have a membership to the Dallas zoo and Abe has been adding up the cost of each visit to make sure we are getting the benefit for the cost. My sweetheart is such the CPA :) So, we have been making as many trips to the zoo as possible. This trip is with Marcy, Sharla and Dana and their kids. I love these ladies...they are such cool moms and great friends. Now that it is FINALLY cooling off let's do another trip soon!

New Hairdos

When I picked the kids up from school yesterday, the girls had new hairdos!

20,000 Pumpkins

Yesterday we went to the Dallas Arboretum for Mommy and Me Monday with Dana and her twins, and Charlotte and Shelby...so did everyone other mommy in Dallas and their kids. It was crazy!! Along with the 20,000 pumpkins it felt as if their were 20,000 kids. The picture above of the strollers was only 1/2 of the line of strollers at the pumpkin patch. I was hoping to get some cute pumpkin patch photos but we will just have to make a later, much less crowded trip. The arboretum is beautiful right now so if you have a chance I would highly recommend a stroll through the pumpkins!

My Lil' Artists

Can you guess who drew each picture? I thought this was an interesting perspective of their personalities. Ok, maybe not that interesting to you, but hey I'm their mommy. They're brilliant!!!!

Look At Her Go!

Grace has been riding the Amtryke at PT. She loves it and does a great job! The arms rotate along with the feet to help build coordination. We are in the process of trying to get one of these for her for Christmas (shhh...don't tell :) Mack and Sophie are also getting triclyles that look much like hers but without the "therapeutic" devices. I'm so excited....do you remember your first bicyle?

Don't Pity Us

Yesterday I read another mother's blog about how lucky she feels to have healthy children (triplets) with no disabilities. She recently attended her NICU reunion and saw other children with braces or oxygen or a feeding tubes and it made her feel grateful for the lucky life she has and reminded her to take time to enjoy the little things. That's wonderful, I agree, yes you are lucky but we aren't unlucky. We are as blessed as you. Our blessings may just look a little different. Why must we all be so uncomfortable with people who are different? Why must you avoid us because you don't know what to say or do? Yes, our children are different but they are still children. Why must you pity us?

When you look at Grace, you may see the walker and the braces but I see the princess with the amazing smile and contagious laugh. The little girl who likes to pull her brother's hair and chase her sister. The sweetie who loves books, the tricycle she rides at PT (and will get for Christmas) and her daddy. The 2 year old that throws tantrums when she doesn't get her way...the "normal" little girl.

So, I have a real problem with pity but I can certainly understand compassion. Compassion is sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it (I stole that from Webster). So many times we pity others for 2 seconds and then go home to our comfortable lives and forget. I'm as guilty as anyone. I want to make a difference in someone's life and I hope that I can teach my kids to be compassionate and most of all have enough desire and enough love to make the world a better place for others.

Well, that's my vent for the day. I can already hear one of my friends..."Dang Jac, lay off the caffeine, will ya?" :)