Modifying the category-template, wp_list_categories

I am trying to create my own version of the wp-list-categories function that only echos three items. I have to do this manually because the wp-category-order plugin somehow messes up the return data whenever I set the “number” parameter.

So far I copied the wp-list-categories function, renamed it and set the default parameters how I want them. Needless to say, adding the “number” parameter defaulting to 3 also screws up the return (three items from a long time ago, then ordered by order).

Could someone please help me out. There must be a way to just manually get the first three items after all querying is done. ?

This is all related to my post here.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!