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......

It's a Wiggly Wiggly World

I THINK I'VE DIED AND GONE TO WIGGLES HEAVEN.

WHEEEE!! HIGH VELOCITY!!

WIGGLY GIRLS

I LOVE TO RIDE IN MY BIG RED CAR.

Today was the day...finally!!! Abe has been asking for weeks if we could take the kids to Wiggles Play Center in Frisco. He has been looking forward to it for so long :) Since we weren't sure about the weather (will it EVER stop raining!) we decided for an indoor activity today. We were one of the first people there this morning, (in true Prompt-Jacolyn style) so we were able to enjoy some play time before all the birthday party kids arrived. They were having 6 parties there today!! Kids were everywhere!! Mack loved ALL the big red cars. He didn't actually want to ride in them...it appeared he wanted to make sure the axles were straight or everything was ok with the wheels. He would roll each one around while looking under the car. Sophie was hypnotized. My extroverted, extremely active little girl just walked around gazing at the murals and big screen TVs in awe. She was in Wiggles heaven. Grace had a great time also on the slides. She loves adventure! We had a very wiggly time :)

Just More Swim Pictures

Fun in the Sun

Sunday afternoon we went swimming with Jackie and Kathryn. Grace loves the water the most, Mack liked the snacks the most and Sophie liked the dogs. We have a great time! Sorry, but I got a little carried away with the picture taking. I have more to post later.

More About MDO

Mom's Day Out...What a blessing! It started off a little rough for Grace. As you may remember, Mack and Sophie were going two days a week and Grace only one. On Tues I would drop off Mack and Sophie and take Grace to PT and then we would spend the rest of the day together. A week ago last Thurs I get a call about Grace. She has been crying since I dropped her off and she could not be comforted. So at 12:30 I go pick her up. The teachers suggested that I bring her on Tues after she has PT. I couldn't believe it!!! They wanted to see more of her!! They thought that only one day a week wasn't enough time for her to settle in. She is the only one in the class with special needs so I was afraid her limitations would be a hinderance. Well, this week was fabulous!! She cried a bit on Tues but not at all on Thurs!! Do I sound excited!! I am!!! She did great. I was afraid I was going to have to pull her out of MDO and now she gets to stay with her brother and sister. Yeah! I think it is going to be so good for her. She is so so precious!!

We had a crazy busy week with so MANY blessings!

Botox Isn't Just For Wrinkles

Yesterday I took Grace to Medical City Dallas for her first round of Botox injections. I was extremely anxious about it because I had heard it can be quite painful and traumatic for the child. I had prayer requests out to everyone I knew...my little princess doesn't need more trauma. She did great!!! Praises!! Praises!!! Oh, she cried, but mainly when the nurse took her out of my arms (we decided the nurse would be the bad guy). She has shown no discomfort or after effects so far. I'm so excited! We are having hinges put in her braces on Friday which is perfect timing. I'm trying to not be overly optimistic but God is good and Grace is so ready to walk. Thanks so much for the prayers and keep 'em coming.

I was reminded of a wonderful verse last night: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
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Below is an excerpt explaining more about Botox and CP from http://www.cerebralpalsysource.com/About_CP/botox_cp/index.html

When most people hear the term botox, they automatically assume that the impending use will be for some celebrities wrinkled, aging face and their last stab at beauty. However, few are aware of a more important use for botox, and the connection between botox and cerebral palsy.

Botulinum toxin type A, or botox, is a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that reduces the rigidity of muscles or unwanted spasms in a specific muscle. Botox is produced from the bacteria that causes food poisoning and provides relief for muscle stiffness at the site of injection. Though high doses of botox can be deadly, the very small doses used in cerebral palsy cases. Over the past ten years, the use of botox has shifted from wrinkle reduction to successfully treating muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy, making botox and cerebral palsy a hugely successful match.

The marriage of botox and cerebral palsy may seem odd at first, but is actually quite practical. When prepared for therapeutic use, botox is injected in small amounts into the spastic or stiff muscles. It begins to take effect by blocking transmission between the nerves and the affected muscles. The injection stops the signal between the nerve and the muscle, relaxing the muscle and reducing stiffness. Botox only affects the muscles that are injected and once the muscles are relaxed, therapists are able to stretch the muscles and stimulate normal growth.

There are several benefits associated with botox and cerebral palsy. Botox injections can offer many benefits including ease in stretching, improvement in child’s range of motion, tolerance to wearing braces and developmental improvements in crawling, standing, or gait changes.

Stop and Smell the Flowers

This week seems like it has been a whirlwind and it's only half over! Between the kids and I, we had 8 medical related appointments! That's a lot, even for us. I've seen one mother post her calendar on her blog to show all the appts her son has. I think this is a great idea (if I can ever figure out how to do it) so maybe I'll be forgiven for all those birthdays I forgot this month and for all the times I couldn't go to Oklahoma. I hate forgetting to send a card on birthdays. It is the one thing I was pretty good about doing to reach out to people to let them know how important they are to me. Well, for all you that are reading this and did not get a card or a timely card, I'm truly sorry and I still love you all heaps and heaps. I'm really trying to get my act together.

Moms Say the Craziest Things

Today I was thinking of some of the things I've said since I've had kids...things I would have never imagined myself saying:

Do you have a poopy diaper? Can you say poo poo?
I have to go (get off the phone), I have to get Play Dough out of Mack's ear.
Mommy is putting you in time-out because xxxxx (insert, biting, hiting, throwing things, etc)
Oh, that looks like spinach on the wall.
We don't tackle our sister.
Are you ready to go night-night? Let's get your lovie bear.
Mommy needs to go to the bathroom by herself.
Deli meat is easier to sweep up if you let it dry first.
You don't need to bite me if you want my attention.

Random...I know, but have a great day!!
Jac