'NacKK Time

Just some photos from snack times (or NacKK time as Mack calls it). Thanks Jen and Brad for the new plates and bowls. They are perfect for snack time and they love them!

Bye, Bye Starbucks - NTR (Not Triplet Related)

Abe and I have decided, or should I say Abe has challenged me, to go on a detox diet. This basically means that for the next two weeks (starting tomorrow) we can have nothing but certain fruits and vegetables and, most importantly, no caffeine can be consumed during this period as well. The photo above is my last cup of coffee for two weeks (notice I got a triplet shot). Can I actually do it? It might get ugly! (As my sister Shelly so lovingly pointed out "People aren't going to like you very much"...Thanks Shell for the vote of confidence :) So, during the next two weeks, if you hear a primal scream coming from the M Streets, hurry over with a Grande Vanilla No-Fat Latte (better make that a Triple Venti :) it may make life better for everyone!

KinderMusic is fun until you have to give the toys back

Abe has been out of town since Monday morning and we don't have MDO this week so I have been looking for things to keep us busy everyday while trying to maintain my sanity. I don't know what possessed me this morning (maybe the extra shot of espresso in my latte :), but I decided to take the trio to KinderMusic at the Lakewood Library. First of all, this required some planning...how do I get everyone in the library without the triplestroller. Grace went in the single stroller, I carried Mack (he refused to walk) and Sophie "helped" me push the stroller. I was most worried about Sophie running off in the parking lot. She has no fear! It took a while but we finally made it into the library without much incident. Sophie loves the library!! She would pick a book, "read" through it, put it back, and chose another. Grace also enjoyed the books and Mack just hung onto me. (He's kind of shy and there were a lot of kids there).

The KinderMusic class was held in a small auditorium in the library. We sat on the floor and the leader stood on a small stage and "tried" to keep all the kids off the stage. It was pretty chaotic but you could tell she was an "expert". We were having a pretty good time until it was time to give the music shakers back. Mack lost it!! He threw a shoe across the room hitting another mommy (luckily it was only a Croc) and then pulled Grace's hair. After I apologized to every one around us, we ended up staying until the teacher started to bring out beach balls, of which there were not enough for each child. Well, time to go...I'm wasn't up for another Mack Meltdown. We came straight home, had lunch and Mack went right down for a nap. I can say one thing for Mack, he loves to sleep...just like his mommy.

Grace's Team

Last week it hit me...my daughter has cerebral palsy. I was discussing with her PT the possibility that Grace may require a wheel chair when it is time for her to go to school. Now this is nothing new...nothing that hasn't been discussed or considered previously (we even have tried one out at mobility camp)...but for some reason, this time I cried all the way home from physical therapy. I go through the PT and OT sessions, the Botox treatments and all the other doctors' visits with an optimism...a peaceful sense of knowing that Grace is going to be ok (some may call it denial). I guess I just haven't really thought much about what exactly "OK" might look like for her. I know that many of us (if I may speak for you) believe that ok often requires full physical and mental faculties. OK may require that there are no "special needs". Well is that is the case, then I personally think none of us are OK...we all have special needs...or at least I do. Luckily Grace has a team of specialist to help...if we could all be so lucky.

There are some people that have come into our lives to assist us with Grace's special needs and I am ever so thankful for them. Sandra is Grace's Occupational Therapist (OT). Sandra comes to our house 6 times a month to see Grace and previously also came to see Mack and Sophie who have since graduated from OT. Our family loves Sandra. Mack and Sophie are always hopeful that Sandra is at the house to "play" with them and although she no longer has appointments with them she always takes time for a hug for Sophie and a chat with Mack. Sandra is also a member of our church and has watched Grace in the nursery so that Abe and I can attend church together. God has blessed us with the special lady. (See Photo 1)

Grace has physical therapy twice weekly with Jacob at Medical City. Grace loves these visits. She gets to play with new toys and try out cool equipment like the Amtryke tricycle which she loves. Jacob is so patient with Grace when she doesn't want to do certain things and becomes very headstrong. These visits have been tremendous for her. Jacob is also my sanity check when I become overwhelmed with all the equipment and therapies that are out there. (See Photos 2 & 3) Brenda is also in the picture. She was an intern during the summer. She will make a great PT!

Maureen has been with us since shortly after the kids came home from the hospital. She is our services coordinator and developmental specialist with ECI (Early Childhood Intervention). I am so thankful this organization exists and we have been so lucky to have such a great team. As you can imagine, having 3 mircropremie babies has made me a bit neurotic about many things concerning my children. Mo helps me find the help I need...doctors, books, etc. She has been wonderful!! (I cannot find our photo with Maureen so I'll have to post one later)

Below is an excerpt from Mel's (Crew's mommy) blog which I really like. If you get a chance take a look at her blog. She's very inspiring (http://mels-thoughts.blogspot.com/)...............
Recently, I came across a scripture that has given me strength found in Romans 15:1 " We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves". This scripture can be used in reference to physical and spiritual weakness and it does have double meaning in my life in that while I am physically strong I am not always spiritually strong. I try to be but just like you I have my days... Ironically, Crew is often the strong one. He is blessed with a strong spirit and he lifts me up.
Thanks Mel for sharing the journey with us!

All About Me...

Yes, as many of you have pointed out, I have been neglecting my blog! Well, I'm back! Since I last posted I have been to Colorado and New York and in between trips celebrating my trio's 2nd birthday. Can you believe it...they are 2!!! Ok, I'll start from the beginning...

The weekend of August 4 Abe and I traveled to Colorado for a wedding. My wonderful friend Julie got married! While I am ever so happy for her it is a bit bittersweet. She has now moved to Denver and won't be right around the corner from me. I miss her already!! We had a great time in Evergreen...it is beautiful!! Friday night we stayed with one of my best friends from 3rd grade. Shannon and her family live in Denver. They were wonderful hosts and it was so good to catch up. It had been about 5 years since I had seen her!!! After the wedding on Sunday Abe and I went hiking in the Red Rocks which is in between Evergreen and Colorado.

The kids turned 2 on Aug 9. We had a few friends over for burgers and cupcakes. It was a very small get together as we are having a party with the family on Aug 18 in Austin. M, G and S's cousin Aubrey turns 2 this month also so we are having a combined party and there will be more about this and photos later.

Last weekend I met my sister Shelly, my mother and her friend David and our friends Neville and Jerry in NYC. I love New York and I could just walk around and sight see and people watch all day. We went to a Broadway show, shopped and met Abe's sister Rachael and her husband for dinner one night (his summer internship is in NYC). I had a great time. It was all worth the entire day I wasted in the airport after my original flight was canceled. I heart NY!!

I realize this post was all about me. Don't worry there will be many more about the kids to come.

Photo 1: Shannon and me
Photo 2: Abe at the lake in Evergreen. We went walking around the lake and enjoyed the cool weather.
Photo 3: Marcy, Julie (the beautiful bride) and me
Photo 4: Me in the Red Rocks in CO. This area was too cool
Photo 5: Shelly and me on the NY subway

Summer MDO is coming to an end...

and we are all very sad. Well, I don't think the kids are really too concerned but I'm a little sad because tomorrow is the last day of summer MDO. We only have two weeks off until Fall MDO begins but I gotten used to my free Tuesdays and Thursdays. Does that make me a terrible mom? Sometimes I feel like it does but I have to say I mostly feel like it makes me a better mom. I am able to regain my sanity during those times. You see, three 2 year olds are wearing me out!! They have so much energy and are starting to really test how much they can get away with. Sophie has even started the fake temper tantrums. The whining beings, the head goes down and then she dramatically throws herself across the floor. She really needs to work on her routine though because there are absolutely no tears. In the picture above we are decorating the gift bags for the wonderful teachers the kids had at MDO. Have I mentioned how much I love MDO :)

What did you do last summer?

Mel has blogged about her family's last summer and has challenged us to write about ours. Ok, maybe it wasn't a challenge exactly but it is for me...I can barely remember what I did yesterday. So after perusing through photos here's what I got. Just a brief summary....

We went to see Abe's family in Boerne. Here we are at a roadside stop for lunch. This was our first long trip and I was very anxious about it.

We swam and cooked out in the backyard.



We went to the Nasher Sculptor Garden with Brian and Angie. It's an amazing place if you ever get a chance to go.

We drove to South Padre (boy that's a long drive) to visit my brother's family. We went to the beach and...

stopped at Starbucks on the way home.

We celebrated Mack, Grace and Sophie's 1st birthday...

with their cousins Aubrey, Macey and Darcey.

We had a wonderful summer in 2006!

Grace and the Purple Pacer

Monday evening Grace's gait trainer was delivered to our house. It just so happened that four of my friends (Jackie, Rachel, Beth and Kathryn) were with us when it was delivered. It seems like we have been waiting for this day forever!! We were all so excited...you would have thought someone had just brought us a Porsche 911. We waited anxiously as Heather adjusted everything perfectly for Grace's first run in her purple Pacer. How would she do...would she like it? She did great!!! She loved it!!! We still need to practice some before she can get around perfectly but I know she can do it.

Another Triplet Playdate

Yesterday Sharla and her triplets came over for a playdate. I met Sharla while I was on bedrest in the hospital awaiting the birth of my babies. She had just delivered her trio and was visiting them in the NICU so she came up a few floors to meet me and offer encouragement. I liked her instantly. Her optimism was contagious!

George, Ave and Chloe are about 1 1/2 month older than my kids. They are adorable!! (Sharla, you must teach me how you get George to stay in time out) Yesterday morning was very nice (especially for July) so we played outside in the backyard. We had a great time except for the few minutes Sophie decided to run away from home (that's a story I can barely talk about).

The picture above was taken just before they left and they all look wiped out or too afraid to move. I promise we didn't threaten them :)

I can't wait for our next playdate!

Big Bus, Little Bus

Mack LOVES anything with wheels that moves. He likes motorcyles, cars, trucks and even giant excavators (yes, I now know what that is). However, he does have a special fondness for buses. Big buses, little buses, yellow buses or even purple buses (he REALLY liked the purple one but it wasn't ours and we couldn't bring it home). Given a choice between a really cool car with flames and a plain yellow bus...always the bus. The bus must always be empty. Don't try taking a Little People or Tad the LeapFrog for a ride...he won't have it! Hmmm....I wonder what this says about him.

Look What Sophie's Reading...

and where she's reading it. Daddy's Economist magazine has become her favorite reading material during her private time. What a big girl!

Really Cool Water Park

NO, ABE IS NOT NAKED IN THIS PICTURE - HA HA




Today's outing was to this little water park near our house. We had no idea it was there until a friend mentioned it to us (thanks for the great idea Corey!) It's just small enough to be able to manage triplets and it is free! After spending $45 to get into Wiggle's World we are loving free fun. Our friend Brian (Abe's best friend from 8th grade who just happens to live 6 houses down from us) went with us. He loves the triplets and is always "willing" to hang out with us even though he knows that at any minute there could be a "toddler meltdown" or worse a "triple meltdown".

On a side note....Brian is our friend who taught Mack that it is really fun to STAND on the Sit-N-Spin. Thanks Brian!! We can't wait to teach your new baby (who will be here in Sept) to do all kinds of fun stuff :)

Again, Gracie was our big fish. She loves the water! Mack and Sophie were a bit alarmed about the shooting water but we ended up having a great day. I think the water park will be a weekly event...it's fun and...did I mention it's FREE!

No Nap Today For Grace

Grace refused to take a nap today which was shocking considering she had OT at 7:30 and an appointment with the Developmental Pediatrician at 9:00. She had a busy morning and I thought she would be wiped out. After lunch she got a second wind and decided we needed to work more on her walking. So I walked around and around the house with her...she was relentless It was nice because Mack and Sophie were asleep and were not in our way. We had a great time but I really wish we had her gait trainer (we STILL don't have it...GRRRRR). She wants to be mobile so badly. In one of the photos above she is standing ALL BY HERSELF while holding onto the pak-n-play where we practice cruising (this is also where Mack usually spends at least a few minutes a day for time-out :). I'm so very proud of Grace...she is such a hard worker and I know she will be walking and chasing Mack and Sophie before long.

....And by His light I WALKED through darkness. Job 29:3b

Watch For Snakes!!

WATCH FOR SNAKES!!!

BIG GIRL GRACE WITH AUNT KATIE

AUNT KATIE, COUSIN ALORA AND THE TRIPS

GRANDPA AND GRACE PLAY IN THE WATER

GRANDMA AND SOPHIE HAVING A SNACK

This past weekend, we all went to see Abe's mother and father. They live in the country about 15 miles outside Boerne in the Texas Hill Country. It is a very nice, relaxing place to visit and we always eat really well (Abe's dad is a great cook). We were lucky on Saturday to have nice enough weather so the kids could play outside. However, we had to "watch for snakes"!!! Three poisonous snakes (a rattlesnake, a copperhead and a coral snake) had been found relatively near the house. The rattlesnake had been found TWO STEPS FROM THE BACK PORCH!!!! Because of the very wet weather the reptiles were looking for dry ground...NEAR THE HOUSE!!! So I became a "little" concerned when the kids were outside...."Don't play near the woodpile!"..."Don't walk through the leaves!"..."Get away from the shed!"..."Abe, Abe, Mack is running through tall grass. Grab him!" I think I spoiled everyone's fun but there were no snakebites on my watch. :)

Thanks Katie and Alora for keeping the kids entertained. They had a great time!

Reminiscing

My computer is running EXTREMELY slowly these days because I have about 1500 photos on iPhoto...at least I have been told that could be part of the reason. It is driving my CRAZY!! So Abe keeps telling me just spend some time to get the photos on cds and the computer will run faster and I won't have to deal with waiting so long for things to work. Yes...when I FIND THE TIME!!! So far I have only saved 2005 which doesn't include the 1500 still on my computer. Much of the problem lies in the fact that I'm just so disorganized and I can easily get sidetracked. Take today for instance...with good intentions of cleaning up my computer I start setting up folders in iPhoto and then...I started reminiscing....

Gosh, they were so little...born at 2lbs 11oz, 1lb 13oz and 1lb 13oz I can barely remember Mack being on oxygen. I can barely remember the nightly feedings and the 3 different formulas and the many bottles. I can barely remember the projectile vomiting and the numerous medications. I can't believe they are so big now. They are my miracles!!! Thank you God for my beautiful babies!!

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

The photos above are from early 2006. I wanted to include some from 2005 but that would require me finding the cd I put them on. Sigh......