KEY WEST!!!!!!

Ricky and I are going on our first vacation in over two years! And we are so excited to visit Key West, FL! We've not picked exact dates yet because we are still trying to confirm we have someone to take care of the kiddos but we are going in April.

We are so excited and past ready and due for some R&R (Rest and Relaxation). We can't wait! Any suggestions on what we must see or do while there? I know we for sure want to go deep sea fishing. I really want to catch a Blue Marlin. Not sure why but always wanted to. I'm also trying to talk Ricky into taking a puddle jumper to Dry Tortugas. Not sure if I'll be able to talk him into it. I think you have to go snuba diving while your there :)

Super Duper EXCITED!!!

Isn't it BEAUTIFUL!?!?!

Parenting is a terrible job when you think about it: long hours, no pay, the bosses are moody and demanding, and benefits don't kick in until years later. Ehh... at least my coworker is hot :)

Isn't that hilarious? I just love that little quote I found :)

Well, my little man must have read the blog and heard I didn't list any words he was saying. He actually said Mouth on Saturday and Madi soon followed! Love how they teach each other so much!

Life is going pretty good. Ricky and I are exhausted and so busy but thats okay. I think I'm going to have us shirts made for their birthday that say We survived the triplets' second year. People use to say how hard the baby stage is.... um, that is a lie. The baby stage was EASY! Even with monitors and oxygen and all the appointments. True statement. This stage is awesome but my goodness we are tired. But, we are so lucky, happy, excited about where we are today versus where we've been. Interacting with these kids, you would have no idea they were 15 weeks premature. We call that a blessing.

Sunday the kids and I met my brother and his family for breakfast. Ricky wasn't able to go because he had worked until 5am that morning. Anyway, it was a way past due visit. The kids just love him and his family so much. His girl are so sweet with the kids and Jennifer is a great aunt to them. Gracie ate right beside John and he was shocked at how much she ate. I finally had to tell them both no more food for her :) She was about to pop. Kelsey and Madi have very similar personalities which is like mine. I laugh at John all the time about that and he laughs that Madi is just like me. It use to be real funny when Madi was small and still had time to change but now that we all know who she takes after, well John and I will both have our hands full :)

Next week I'll be away in Arizona for work. Three whole days. I'm not sure how I'm going to be away from everyone that long. I'm super excited but I've never been away from my Littles that long- ever. I think I board the plane around 9am on Wednesday and get back Friday around 6pm.

Well I better go. Madi has decided she wants to run around the house naked! Wish me luck!!

Krista

Good moms have sticky floors, messy kitchens, laundry piles, dirty ovens, and HAPPY KIDS.

Madi is now saying: thank you, more, Elmo, Abby, go, poo poo, nose, mouth, hi, and bye bye

And not to be out done, Gracie is now saying, Elmo, Abby, nose, bye bye

Love hearing their little voices! It's so sweet!

They are all three loving to wrestle each other. It's so funny because they all three just laugh so hard. It's never not been entertaining around her but now it's really entertaining.

KP

Sorry, but I don't need any part-time people in my life. You're either with me or you're not. You can't just come and go as you please.

LOVE this quote!

Happy Thursday!!!

KP

DECIDE or TIME WILL DO IT FOR YOU and YOU WON'T LIKE IT

There is always a reason for every single thing that happens to us in this life- there is a lesson to be learned in good times and in bad.

Just last week we had a preschool through a local church judge our children without ever meeting them and decided they wouldn't fit in to their program. I'm so happy this happened... now. Last week not so much. In fact last week it took every piece of me not to go pay a visit to that person with my awesome kids in tow and prove to her how amazing they are. Today I decided I would go view our preschool program at our church. I hands down just knew it was the "one" and Ricky and I were ready to fork over $700 per month to get our children the very best. Madi and I got ready to go during my lunch break and when we get there, I knew instantly it was not a fit for my kids. I was a little stunned at the price tag for what they were offering. I was also confused that the program could be running in that way since all of their other programs are amazing. When the teacher said they normally have two teachers in the class and that Tuesdays are the worse days and she couldn't understand why everyone wanted their kids to come on Tuesdays, I told her "probably because programs are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays such as music and Bible and I personally wouldn't send my kids on Friday to just be watched. She said I was probably right. Madi and I almost ran out of there.

I called Ricky and said I wanted to stop by another Baptist church that is very close to our house. Thank God I did! I LOVE the structure they offer and the curriculum. I also talked with the director for a while and she was so nice and understanding of the kids and their circumstances. The icing on the cake: It's half the price before they even give us a multiples discount! The other amazing thing is they have a program in the summer too! The director showed me around and we stopped by the indoor play area. It was only us in there but when I looked up, Madi had climbed up the stairs and was sliding on the slide all by herself! She was smiling and laughing and just having the best time! The director asked me if we had stairs in our house because she climbed them so well and was fearless doing so. FYI we don't have stairs. I am so excited for the kids to start this program. She asked me if I wanted them to stay in the same class or split them up. I'm not sure yet. I've always felt like I wanted Madi to be with Brody and Gracie so she could protect them but I've recently felt like I wouldn't want to hold her back. I'm not sure what we will do yet. This will make them be little grown up kids with them having to have their own back packs and sleeping mats. 

In other awesome, totally amazing, I'm so ready news, Madi has went potty on her potty TWO times now!!! Go MADI!

And in Krista and Ricky news, we've joined a gym and have trainers! Just working on our fitness! :) 

Happy Fat Tuesday! 

Krista 

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her- Proverbs 31:28

At dinner Sunday night the kids ate like big kids off their very own Sesame Street plates. They did very well and Madi even used her fork. Gracie attempted it but was not sure about it and Brody pretty much expected me to feed him... some things never change. As I was getting dinner ready, Ricky realized what I was making and asked me if he and I were really going to eat that... meaning were we really going to eat dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets. Of course my reply was yes. Fixing separate meals is for the birds and plus it was the last night before Ricky and I start our clean eating stuff. 

The weekend went by really fast. Ricky was suppose to work but they canceled on Friday night. They've still been really slow company wide which seems odd since gas is going back up. Anyway, we wanted to get out and do something but it rained so that answered that. We did go out on a hot date Saturday night... with the kids. It was going really great until Madi put to much in her mouth and projectile vomited at the table.... twice. In those moments there is nothing that can make that situation better. It was quite nasty and Ricky said he was over it and ready to go. I think we always walk out of situations like that twitching from bad nerves. Oh well, before we know it they'll be walking in the restaurant by themselves and all will be so easy, dare I say it. Sunday I cleaned the house pretty much all day. It needed it really badly and I could probably spend another whole day but the cleaning mood has passed for a while. 

We don't have any appointments this week- just the normal therapy. It sure makes life easy to be able to stay home and do what we do. Work has been going good for me. I lock myself away and work my 8 hours and then walk away for the day. I love being back doing what I do. 

I've got to go tour the preschool at church to make sure I for sure want to sign them up. Sign up is next week on the 1st. I'm excited about them attending school and interacting with other children. I'm also going on the 1st to do a consult for oral surgery and scheduling it. I have 3 wisdom teeth that I'm having pulled and I'm so scared! I already had one removed and followed all the rules but still got a dry socket. For those who don't know, dry sockets are right on up there with recovering from a c section.... painful!

Well, I've got to get some school work done. I'll update again soon.

Krista 

Never be ashamed of the scars that life has left you with. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed, you endured the pain and God has healed you.

With everything going on in our crazy lives I almost forgot to announce/ celebrate some pretty awesome news... After 9 long, long, long weeks of repeated calls and watching another week pass, we finally got Gracie's blood test results from Genetics and guess what??? She is fine and they came back perfectly normal!!!!!!! So as of today, we've done blood test after blood test, full body XRAYS, MRI's, you name it, we've tested it and they've all came back 100% normal! Praise God! And she is developing so good and is really smart and overall just perfect!
I'm not sure if we will follow up with Genetics or not. I've been on the fence for a while about it and now knowing that we've tested for yet another syndrome and it's come back negative, I just really am not sure if it is worth it. Plus, with Ricky now doing all the doctor appointments, I'm pretty sure he'd only go to one with them pointing out all her "flaws" for him to say go to hell and never go back... it's always a really hard appointment. So until we decide, we'll just celebrate and be so incredibly grateful!
In other really amazing/ awesome news, Ricky took all three of the kids to the eye doctor yesterday. If you all remember, the girls were discharged from the opthomologist officially in January 2010 but that was from Dr. Coats who totally misdiagnosed Brody so his "expert opinion" has meant nothing to us. Anyway, they all went yesterday. Ricky said it was a horrible appointment because mainly Madi freaked out which I say, welcome to my world all these months! Anyway, the girls vision is just fine and they won't need to be seen again until they are three years old. Brody's VI teacher made the appointment as well which means the world to me and us since she isn't required to go by any means and the appointment is all the way on the south side of Houston! Anyway, Brody's team of doctors think he is doing well and that the new glasses are very good for his near sightedness. They do think we are kind of doing overkill on having the team of vision doctors we have and said it was up to us what we wanted to do. Which is probably true, just at the Nova clinic he has two doctors that are always his doctors and two other residents so a total of four doctors at every appointment. And then we have a retina specialist as well that is in the Medical Center. It's really hard for me especially after Dr. Coats misdiagnosing Brody and telling us his vision was "just fine" when all that time Brody was legally blind and color blind and desperately needed glasses. I never want to be in a situation where we are missing something so big and I could not imagine if we never got a second, third, and fourth opinion!
I can never describe how lucky we are and I can never accurately explain where we've been. I just always want to remember those darkest days so we can always fully appreciate where we are now. Make no mistake about it, my kids' lives are amazing and I feel God's presence in our lives every single day. Things just fall into place and I'm so undeservingly blessed.
The kiddos are finally over whatever they had, thank goodness! Ricky is working on Saturday and depending on the weather, the kids and I may get out and do something. I'll update again soon!

Krista

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential.Impossible is temporary. Impossible is NOTHING." Muhammad Ali

Today is a first. Today is a first of what I've wished and prayed would never happened when we learned our kids would have "disabilities" but despite those wishes and prayers it happened.

Today was the day my kids couldn't be "accommodated" that "there just isn't the room for their walkers"
Today was the first day that someone openly made a judgment without ever meeting my kids to their mother.

Well, miss little church lady, I will gladly put my three beautiful babies in another program- probably our church that accepts them WITH THEIR WALKERS!

And thank you so much for this because I will keep working and fighting for equal rights for those who have disabilities.

I found this quote (the title to this post) a while back from Muhammad Ali's The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey and it couldn't be more fitting for the ignorance of others.

We must continue to work on opening our hearts to others. I'm not saying I'm perfect by any means but I acknowledge that it is something that is needed in this world and I work to improve my outlook daily.

Krista

The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.

Happy Valentines Day!

It is way past this working momma's bedtime but I wanted to wish everyone a day full of love. Ricky apparently forgot that we don't give gifts this year so the kids and I had to run out and buy gifts for daddy. Why is it that I can never purchase just one or two things while at Target? I think I need therapy for this problem :) Anyway, we got daddy some cool new stuff and the kiddos got a couple toys.... like they really needed it but whatever.

We've got some BIG things happening around here. Can't wait to fill everyone in!!

XOXOXOX

Krista

A true love story never ends

"The best things in life are FREE. The second best are very EXPENSIVE."- Coco Chanel

"GRATITUDE can change common days into Thanksgiving turn routine jobs into joy and change ordinary opportunities into BLESSINGS." - William Arthur Ward

The babies are still really sick but  they are getting better... slowly.

Ricky and I decided to stay home last night since they were sick. Maybe another weekend. We are also looking at him traveling with me to Arizona in May so we'll be able to do a lot of stuff then.

I've got a really busy work week ahead. I'm excited though. I'm finally perfecting our schedule around here and I've found time to do work, homework, and take care of the kids. If you want something bad enough you can make it happen.

Monday Brody and Gracie will be fitted for their walkers. Initially we were going to order Brody a stander but since he got his new glasses, that isn't needed. He is cruising around all over the place. We are excited. Gracie wants to walk so badly and we are confident this will help her feel safe and be able to do so. I think it takes about a month for them to order and deliver. So we are looking at probably mid March- April.

Keep the kids in your prayers. They never get sick but when they do it's bad.

Krista

My JaM!!

"There's no such thing as being too busy. If you really want something, you'll make time for it."

It's Friday!

The kids are very sick. No fun around here. Ricky took them to the doctor yesterday so we are on medication and humidifier non stop.

I do have one thing to celebrate, Madi Faith is my first baby to finally be at 20 pounds!!! Ricky said she was 20.25! I am over the moon excited about this. If you've followed us from the beginning when they were a pound a piece at birth and throughout, you've seen our struggle to get them to gain weight. Anyway, she is 19 months old and 20.25 pounds... I'll take it!!!

Pray for our littles... this being sick business is for the birds.

In other news, if the kids are feeling better by tomorrow night, Ricky and I will go out to eat for his birthday... first time in 9 months! We sure do love having our nanny! She is just great!!!

Have a great weekend!

Krista

We didn't realize we were making memories we just knew we were having fun.

my favorite picture of Ricky and I


Happy 31st Birthday Ricky!

We love you!

Krista, Brody, Gracie, & Madi

One of the best things in life is realizing you're perfectly happy without the things you thought you needed the most.

new hair :)

Today was my first day back at work.

To fill everyone in, I was approached by an old colleague about joining a company she partnered in. It was at the perfect time because I was on the verge of accepting another offer that would have me out of the home most everyday. Anyway, I will be working from home full time and doing what I use to do before I had the babies. It is really a perfect situation and I am beyond blessed to have this opportunity.

So today was day 1 and it went really well. The nanny came in for the morning and the kids did so well adjusting to the change... even Madi Faith!

I'm so excited how everything is falling into place. I couldn't ask for more!

I will be traveling in the next couple weeks to Arizona for a few days. I'm kind of excited and nervous too!

I'll update when possible.

Krista

crazy kids 

19 month group shot 

A successful woman is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her

Well I looked into switching our blog over to Word Press but it is way too much work than I'm willing to take on right now. So hopefully Blogger will stop jacking up my posts.

Anyway, we've got a really busy week ahead. I should be starting my job on Tuesday. We are trying to get all the computer/ licenses taken care of. The nanny will also start on Tuesday. Brody has an eye appointment tomorrow and I'm very interested to see what she has to say. I think we are enrolling Madi in The Little Gym so that will be on Friday. Of course we still have therapies on Tuesdays and Thursdays! We are busy! I've got school going to so I've got to get schedules figured out!

Have a great week!

Krista

might change from Blogspot to Wordpress

I think we may be changing from blogger to word press. Blogger has been having some issues and with some posts, an entire section is missing sometimes (like the one I posted today)

I need to look into their program more as I don't want to lose any of the past posts. Until then, I'll try to bare with the issues. I'll keep everyone updated.

Krista

Despite the crying, the spills, the fighting, the tantrums, the yelling, the middle of the night snacks, the time outs, the begging, the diapers, the sippies, the messy rooms, the dirty faces, the "I wants" and the "No's", the toy throwing, the couch writing, the wall coloring and the nose wiping.... I LOVE every minute of this.

Brody, you are amazing your vision team! Your progress since getting your new glasses is really something to celebrate. For the first time, you actually don't mind standing up and you think walking while we are holding both hands is pretty fun. You do still have those moments where you whine because you don't want to do anything but they are beginning to become a rarity. This is change has been so great to watch. You gave your sissies kisses for the first time this week. Make no mistake about it, they both pick on you daily but your love for them is evident in the way you interact back with them. And, I'm pretty excited you are starting to stand your ground a bit. Your sissies might give you a hard time but their love for you is the sweetest there is. Madi will bring you a drink and not only bring it to you, she holds it for you while you take a sip. She even helped you this morning by pushing your food back in your mouth... you haven't learned how to do that consistently yet. She was so gentle and you appreciated the extra hand. Gracie is all of your emotions for you. If you are excited she is laughing with you. If you are crying, she is screaming and giving us the dirtiest looks until you are rescued. You are now saying "Bye, Bye" and have got the sign language sign for "more" down to a science. Your thumbs are still  your second pair of eyes and it really astounds us all to see you see through them. So many things are starting to "click" for you and I am so proud. We are setting up some new services for you with DARS which is the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services- Division for Blind Services. This program will help you throughout your childhood and into your adult life. Your specialist is blind herself and it is great encouragement to see her in the work place with no vision. It gives us hope for your future. Brody, you have so many special people that make your success possible. We do have our favorites, well I should say you really have your favorites. You light up when you hear the voices of your OT and VI teacher. You prefer to work with your team rather than me any day. I've learned to let go of the 24/7 work routine but what I want you to know more than anything is this, I just want the best for you and there will never be a day where I let us settle for second best. You deserve all there is and with that, you must know it won't come easy and you will have to work hard for your successes. Before I end I must also add that your love for Sesame Street more specific Elmo's song makes me so happy. We are pretty sure you can't see the actually show but everyday I put you in your chair facing the TV, you turn around with your back to the TV and listen and smile and dance. You don't have to see with your eyes because your seeing from so many other ways. It has taught and is teaching me so much. Your vision team has told me that 80% of what we learn is from our vision... my little man, you are learning in ways that is so impressive to everyone around you. I love you!

Madi, I'm exhausted honey child. I have to first say that I do not like your fits. More specific, I hate when you slam your head on the ground.... hate it! You currently have melt downs throughout the day and by 6pm I'm so worn out. Who would have known this would be so much work? In between your fits, you are doing so well. You love to color and share. The only bad thing is your share your colors with your bubba and sissy and they like to eat them. You are doing so many great things these days and your vocabulary is expanding. We had an appointment with The Little Gym today and you did so amazing.

Gracie, you are so funny. Your new nick name is tootie because you think it's so funny to pass gas.. all day long. You are still very sensitive and want to check the mood of your brother and sister before you make up your mind on what type of mood you will have. You love your brother and sister so much. Well you pretty much love everyone so much. You have started to throw major tantrums. Your favorite is to hold your breath until you turn blue and start jerking. At first we were able to pat your chest or back to get  you to breathe, then it turned to flicking water on your face, now it is soaking you with cold water. It freaks us out every single time you do it and you are exhausted after a fit like that.... please out grow this stage as soon as possible. You recently had a swallow function done and it was pretty good news although they did say you were "a fast drinker" which is true. You have a love for food and drink and we have to cut you off because you don't know when to stop. You are a small thing but a little chunk. You have grown and progressed so much within the past couple of weeks. Your therapy team is excited with all you are doing these days. We can't wait to get your walker in to get you really moving about. Your vocabulary is expanding and you are now saying and pointing to your nose. You also say "Bye, Bye" and open and close your hand while saying it. You still have such thick hair and it is really getting long. You wear your hair up everyday now to keep it out of your eyes. You did something pretty disgusting this week... you decided to play finger paints in your crib... with your poop. It was everything mommy and daddy had not to throw up. You sure didn't like being told that was a no no and you really didn't like getting a bath to clean you up. It is never a dull moment around here. You still like to scoot around on your bum with one leg in front and the other behind you. You can crawl just fine and have gotten really fast but I think sometimes you forget you can crawl and go back to your old form of transportation. Your voice has gotten a lot louder these days. We are so excited about this. Your OT thinks it is because you are starting to strengthen your core muscles which plays a role in everything. I think we might consider another surgery to see if it will work better. Gracie the sky is the limit and we are so proud of your progress. I love you!

After 19 months home with you I am transitioning back to work full time. I am excited to find a balance but I'm nervous and scared to miss each of your milestones. Our routine is all each of you know and really all I know these days. We've hired a nanny to help care for you while your daddy and I are at work. Luckily, you already know her since she is your nursery teacher at church. We are looking forward to getting to know her better and I am sure you are in good hands- I wouldn't do this if I wasn't sure. With everything I am sure you will adjust well but I just need each of you to know that nothing will change in regards to my commitment to each one of you and your needs. I hope one day when you have a family of your own, you can look back at this and realize that it is ok to pursue things that is good for you as a person while still taking care of your family. If you want something bad enough you can make it work.

I'm excited about this next chapter in all of our lives and I couldn't be more proud of each of our progress in our family. We've been through some pretty tough times and have made it out a strong family so I am confident that we are strong enough to go through another chapter.

My love for you each is endless. Each of you give me my drive to succeed and create a strong family. Everything I do is for you and much thought and prayer is put into every decision made.

Love,

Mommy 

Next to you is where I belong

Nothing makes me happier than to know my girls have each other. 

The attitude you have as a parent is what your kids will learn from more than what you tell them. They don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are. - Jim Henson

Happy 19 months to the three most amazing kiddos who have single handedly made my life a little sweeter, happier, and rewarding. 

Brody gave his sissies kisses for the first time last night. It was so sweet. I just loves these little humans! 

Happy Wednesday!!!

Krista