MY HOW TIME FLIES

Madeline after her bath. Maybe a comb will serve as a teething ring? May 11, 2009

Nicklaus enjoying some cuddling time with mom after a bath on May 11, 2009

Grace, after her bath, with the "Gracie" smile we all know and love, May 11, 2009

Grandpa Bernie and his older grandgirls at his birthday celebration, May 5, 2009

Well, apologies are really in order this time. I can't believe how much time has gone by since my last post, so much has happened, where do I start, what can I remember? Maybe the best way to do this is start with today and work backwords. As Sharon and I reminisced a little this week, we thought back on last year, and all the days spent at UCI Medical Center, keeping Christy company, encouraging her to go on. It was a year ago when we were still praying for her to be able to make it to week 28, the age when the babies would have had a chance of survival. Now we visit Christy, Steve and the babies at home, enjoying the babies as they grow. Little Grace continues to amaze everyone. She has been the first to do just about everything, eat food, crawl, stand, and cut two teeth. We are all waiting for her to take a step, this could happen any day. Nicklaus is so much fun to watch. He gets so excited when he does something, he loves to jump, and also stands without holding on, but only for very short periods because he starts jumping while not holdikng on, and you know the results. Nicklaus still likes to be alone. He plays by himself, although he doesn't mind his sister joining in. Madeline on the other hand has decided that she does not need to crawl. She likes to sit around and play, and even stand while holding on, but crawling or standing without holding on is not for her. She is quite a chatterbox, and once she gets going is hard to stop or compete with. She is defnitely the "princess" and loves, no wants, to be served and helped. For instance, she loves to stand, but won't stand up herself, instead fusses until mom or dad stand her up, then she is happy. All three are doing great. Their doctor is very happy, but they need to put on weight, that means eating more. Of course Grace, the one who needs to gain the most, is the one who is hardest to get to eat, she always has been. Two weeks ago Sharon and I went to Las Vegas with our bowling league, and Christy and Steve and the triplets joined us. It was their first vacation type trip, and quite an eye opening event for Steve and Christy. It became very apparent how much effort is involved in just talking short little weekend trips. Our drive to and from Las Vegas took several hours longer than without babies, as there was an extra stop with feeding, diaper changing, and just getting out of the car seats being necessary. Everywhere we went in Las Vegas made us the immediate focus of attention. People just can't resist babies, but when there are three, well that is even more special. Both Christy and Steve were the proud parents, and the triplets were so well behaved. I guess the lights and sounds in the casinos were great attractions for them. All in all it was a fun, but tiring, weekend. Before we know it their first birthday will be here - WOW.

Mother's Day was celebrated at a local restaurant, the Summit House. As we have become accustomed to, the triplets were the big hit. They were so well behaved, their mom must have been very proud. We were all able to eat our food, quite a feat when you are also having to handle three little high chair babies. When we left our waitress told Christy that we were her favorite Mother's day group. That says something.

Just before we left for our cruise from New Zealand to Australia, we placed my mom into a small Board and Care home where she lives with 5 other ladies and two nurses. We visit several times a week, but nothing makes my mom as excited as having her greatgrandkids, especially the triplets, come and visit her. Mom's face really lights up. All of us also go to Disneyland every now and then, and I think that what my mom looks forward to more than anything is having the grandkids nearby as we walk around the park. Of course the older ones also like to be there with their great grandma, as they get a few dollars from her to spend in the park.

Hannah, Rachel and Breanna continue to do well in school. Rachel read for me the other day, and I was surprised how well she reads. Hannah loves math (like her dad), and Breanna is getting ready to be an eighth grader. Soon she will be in high school. We are so blessed to have all living near us so we can see them often, which we do. We still get together on Mondays for dinner and some socializing, then once or twice during the week we see Hannah and Rachel, as Sharon and Christy pick them up from school and bring them to our houses after school, where they get picked up by their mom. Breanna continues to excel at soccer and is joining a "club" team this next season. She got her first "yellow" card recently in a game. Guess she is finally starting to get agressive. This is not natural for her, but will be a necessity if she wants to continue to play a competitive sport like soccer.

Til later, God Bless everyone.