Jack Jack

Sometimes I think "How in the world have we gotten through the past 3 years?"

With a lot of help and a lot of love. We have been so blessed with some very special people in our lives. From the moment I went into the hospital at 20 weeks pregnant with the triplets to the present, we have been flooded with prayers, love and lots of hands on help. I've already talked about Kathryn and how she came into our lives. She was introduced to us by her wonderful mother, Jackie. They have both been a huge part of our lives over the past 3 years and we wouldn't have survived without them...and I mean that!

Jackie and I had met through our church. We weren't close friends, I was actually kind of scared of her ;) We saw each other occasionally at church events. However, when I was admitted to the hospital it was Jackie who brought a DVD player to the hospital and when I came home from the hospital, it was Jackie that brought those yummy meals and when the babies came home, it was Jackie that helped save my sanity. I'll never forget when I broke down on the phone crying about being too overwhelmed and that I needed a break and there was a MDO program at someplace that I couldn't remember (I could only remember part of the name, I was a bit hysterical). Well, Jackie found the place, picked up an application and got the process started. She was also the one who found our PT. When I'm feeling overwhelmed it's always Jackie who shows up at my door and orders me to leave the house and go to Starbucks.

My kids love and adore their Jack Jack. She manages with her busy schedule to come see them at least three times a week. She will take Grace for a walk in her walker, she will wrestle with Mack and well...handle Sophie like only she can. She helps me feed and bathe the kids on the evenings.

Jackie is the kind of person who can keep you laughing with her wicked humor and bring you to tears with her love for God and his people. Even though she won't admit it...she really cares. She loves us well. Thank you so much!!

We love you Jack Jack!!

Beloved let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

Scary Man

Huh?

She's On The Move!

Yes, we have yet another piece of equipment. We discovered that the Purple Pacer was too heavy and too much support for Grace so we decided to try a different kind of walker. This very cool green walker is called the Nurmi Neo by Otto Bock. I have no idea why it's call Nurmi Neo (Otto Bock is a German Co) but maybe it's named after this guy. Do you know?

One of the frustrations we face is finding the right kinds of equipment for Grace. Not only is the equipment expensive but we have found that is sometimes difficult to "try before you buy". I have relied a lot of other cp moms who provide valuable experience and input on so many things that I am trying to figure out as I travel this journey with Grace. Thank you so much ladies...I love you!

So far the Nurmi has been great!! I hope to figure out how to put video on the blog so you can see her. (Help anyone?) She is so proud and so am I!

Learning Our Body Parts

Yesterday morning as I'm changing Mack's diaper he grabs his privates and asks "What's that?"

"That's your penis." I reply.

"Penis" he echos.

As I close up his diaper he waves and says "Bye bye penis."

He is way too cute!

Follow-up to Preschool Registration

The kids don't start preschool until September. I wanted to make sure we got 3 spots so I signed them up the first day registration began. I was first in line. You gotta do these things when you have a house full of kids.

Boo Hoo

Sorry, not photo. It would only be of me sobbing in my cool red minivan.

I just registered the kids for PRESCHOOL!!!! That's right I said preschool. How has this happened? How are they old enough for PRESCHOOL?! I can't believe it.

Okay, I'm fine now.

It's A Biker Gang!!!

Mack and Sophie got tricycles from NiNi (my mother) for Christmas. Grace had already received one adapted for her from Ambucs (more on this later). They also got helmets, baskets and bells from their cousins Aubrey and Beck. They have had so much fun on them even though they haven't quite gotten down the whole pedaling concept.
Thank NiNi and Aubrey and Beck! We love you!

Get Real

One Saturday morning a few months ago, Abe and I were walking with the kids to the park. On the route we were taking that particular morning there was beautiful, newly built home for sale. Although I knew it would be out of our price range, I still wanted to look around. So while Abe and the kids made their way to the park, I began peering in the windows. When I got to the back of the house there was another woman peering in the house. We started talking and walked to the park together. I liked J instantly...she was so upfront and open about herself. During our conversation we discovered that we both had young daughters with special needs. Her daughter is about 6 months younger than Grace and although they have been to numerous doctors and specialists she still does not have a diagnosis. She was looking for a MDO program to put C in but didn't want her to be put in a younger class just because she wasn't walking. I told her about our MDO program, which as you know, I LOVE, and she was able to get C enrolled. So, now I see J at least once a week at MDO. We talk about our frustrations with different therapies and all the appointments we have. We vent about about our lives. We are real with each other. Oh, we're not all doom and gloom. We also brag about our kids and about our accomplishes as well. I really like her. I trust her.

Okay, I'm getting to the point of my story. Do you have friends who never have any problems...everything is always great...never a cloud in the sky? Although they are always smiling and turning on the charm, you know that everything is not as it seems...that they do have problems and issues. Their disappointments may not be the same as ours, but they're there. Well, I have some of those friends. I love them, but sometimes I just want the real story. I want to know how they REALLY are. Please don't get me wrong I'm not about whining all the time. I just want the real you. I can handle it and it might make you feel better.

Check Out These Wheels!!

Grandpa and Grandma Lieck gave Grace this really cool PlasmaCar for Christmas. (check out more about it here) It only requires moving the arms slightly to make it go and although Grace has a difficult time independently sitting sometimes, she supports herself by hanging on to the steering wheel. It's awesome! She's starting to get the hang of it. Mack and Sophie also like to place with it, although Sophie still uses her feet and Mack just likes to terrorize the girls when they are riding it. Oh, and I also like to ride it sometimes :) Thanks Grandpa and Grandma!



Mack won't get on the PlasmaCar but he really likes his remote control car...also from Grandma and Grandpa.

Ohhh Baby!

Grace loves hugs and babies. She especially loves hugging babies. No matter who she's hugging there is always an "ohhh baby" from her along with the hug. It is the cutest thing ever!! Here she is hugging sweet Sydney.

Look at Grace...She's Sitting By Herself!

Although it's not perfect yet, Grace is getting so much better with independent sitting. She does great until she realizes she it doing it on her own and then she loses all confidence. She's getting stronger everyday!

Princess Grace and Princess Sophia

Among MANY other things, the girls got a few dress up clothes for Christmas. Aren't they pretty? Is it weird that Mack likes to wear a little bling too? Hmmm....if only he had his long hair, then he'd be...GROOVY!

CV Part II or Who's Your Guitar Hero?

So, we get home from Boerne on Wednesday after Christmas, unload the car, wash clothes, repack car and drive Thursday to Edmond, Oklahoma to see my mother, my sister Shelly and her family (from Tulsa), and my brother Brad and his family (from Austin). We also go to see my Aunt Neva and John, Cousin Shirley and Jerry and Neville. It was so good to see everyone! We pretty much just hung out at the house, watched kids and played Guitar Hero. I had never seen it before but let's just say...I ROCKED!!! See photos below.

This was an attempt to get a photo of all the kids in the pajamas in front of the Christmas tree. Yeah right...it was pretty bad. Mack and Sophie refused to cooperate. Hey kids, look at your cousin Aubrey and how good she is behaving. The children behaving are Macey and Darcey (yes, my sister also has identical twins...neat huh) and Beck and Aubrey...and of course, sweet Grace.
This is my mother and our great friend Neville with my trio. Again a difficult photo to get. I think we finally put Bob the Builder on the TV to keep Mack in place. (Neville didn't get the memo about the black turtlenecks :) btw...Grace didn't want to have anything to do with anyone but NiNi and Nevi (I think they were sneaking her candy)
NiNi (my mother) and ALL her grandchildren.
The WHOLE GANG!
The night before we left, NiNi and Neville watched the kids (except Beck) so we could go out to dinner. We decided to go to Cattlemen's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City. This was one of my parent's favorite steak places. No frills just good meat! I'm such a country girl at heart.
(Look Rachael, I'm wearing my pretty new sweater :)
Who's your Guitar Hero? Well, there was a lot of good competition that weekend. Shelly and her husband, who are not competitive at all (har har) fought it out.
Here's Shelly trying to get some Starpower!
Look at the intensity on Brad's face. My mother just keeps saying..."If Brad would only practice this much on his real guitar, he would be so good."
I look like such a natural.
Now there's my Guitar Hero. Rock out Abe!
(Okay, Okay, I know that this is actually a video game and requires more hand/eye coordination than actual musical talent but let me have my dream...Abe you are my rockstar!)
Way to go Abe....beat the two year old!! Aubrey had seen her daddy (my brother Brad) play this so much that she's a natural.

Christmas Vacation - Part I

Every year Abe and I trade spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with each others family and then make an after Christmas trip to see the family we didn't spend Christmas day with. This year it was our turn to spend Christmas with Abe's family in Boerne, Texas. His sister, Rachael and her husband and daughter were flying in from Virginia and would also be there. We left Dallas Saturday morning and returned home on Wednesday to make preparations for CV Part II. Except for Grace refusing to sleep in her own bed, the kids behaved fairly well, considering they are two and there are three of them. As always, we had some great food...menudo, homemade hot sauce and pasties, as well as lots of homemade cookies. Below are a few photos from the trip. Unfortunately I didn't get any of Grandma or Aunt Katie.

Mack's first gift (from Abe's counsin Justin) was Mater and Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars. He was so excited and couldn't wait for Grandpa to get them out of the package. It was then that he realized that there is some good stuff in those packages. Aunt Rachael also looks very excited ;)
Justin did great on the gifts this year. He got Grace and Sophie satin princess sleeping bags. The girls love them! I can't wait to go shopping with my gift card...Thanks Justin!
Uncle Jay (Grandpa Billy's brother) told some very funny stories about Abe's great grandmother Jenny. When I originally met her she had Alzheimer's and she died shortly after our wedding so I didn't really get to know her. I know I would love her! You can tell she was very feisty and funny and that she is really missed.
This is Jay's awesome wife Mary and daughter Jackie (there is another Jaclyn Lieck!) Mary has an infectious laugh and Mack adores her. She is so much fun! (That's their other daughter Julia asleep)
Grandma and Grandpa have lots of goodies in the garage and pulled out this wagon for the kids. They had a great time being pulled around. The Liecks have a beautiful, peaceful home in the Texas Hill Country
This is a picture of Grandpa reading Grace her favorite book. Grace loves Grandpa...and so does everyone else.
Part II will be coming soon....

Happy New Year and...

Happy Birthday Abe!! Yes, my dear hubby was a New Year's baby! And he hates it ;) No one remembers and he always gets those combo gifts. This year we had originally planned to celebrate with a few other couples at a nice restaurant. However, after all the traveling and eating we have done over Christmas, Abe decided he wanted to stay home (besides his favorite restaurant was closed today). So, we then invited Brian (Abe's best friend since 8th grade) and Angie over for dinner. Well, now we are all sick and everyone has been banned from our house (except Jackie and Kathryn of course) so I made two of Abe's favorites, lasagna and blackberry cobbler and we had a quiet dinner with the kids. I love you Abe...Happy Birthday!