10 Mar 2024 Kids of the Month: Savvy Jean, Macey Holliann and Gracelyn Claire Roberts

Posted at 9:36 PMh in Neighbors by

By Carol Rolf

Tyler and Ashley Roberts of Mayflower welcomed three bundles of joy into their lives on Dec. 29, 2023. That’s the day their three little daughters were born.

“We found out in June that I was pregnant,” said Ashley. “I went for an ultrasound in July and found out that I would be having twins. Then in August, the ultrasound showed three babies.

“We have been married for five years and were hoping to start our family soon,” she said. 

Photos by Mike Kemp

“We prayed for a baby. God knew what we needed and blessed us with three. I cried when we were told we were having triplets,” Ashley said. “But then I got over the shock and accepted it. I thought, ‘What’s one more at this point?’”

Savvy Jean Roberts was the first baby born, arriving at 2:41 p.m. and weighing 4 pounds 9 ounces and measuring 17.13 inches in length. Next came Macey Holliann Roberts at 2:42 p.m., weighing 4 pounds 2 ounces and measuring 15.95 inches in length. Gracelyn Claire soon followed at 2:44 p.m., weighing 3 pounds 15 ounces and measuring 16.54 inches in length.

The babies were born by cesarean section at UAMS in Little Rock and spent some time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, but all are at home now and doing well. Ashley said they were the last babies born at UAMS in 2023.

“We did not know they were all girls until October,” she said. “They were not all cooperating … for the doctor to see in the ultrasound.”

“I didn’t want to believe it at first … triplets … all girls,” said Tyler, who took off work for a week to help Ashley after the babies came home. 

“I never believed there was a boy in there,” he said, laughing. “I figured if God had a sense of humor, they would all be girls. I’m trying my best to help as much as possible.”

Ashley and Tyler Roberts of Mayflower were shocked to learn they were expecting triplet daughters. The only family history of multiples in her family was distant, and Tyler’s grandfather was a twin. 

“We’ve quickly outgrown our house,” Ashley said. “We have three mini cribs to give us more room. They are all in the same room … they like to be together. We’ve decorated the room with a farm animal theme.”

Ashley, 27, is a family and consumer science teacher at Mayflower High School and plans to return to her teaching career when school resumes in the fall. She was a student leader for six years at First Baptist Church of Mayflower but gave up that role before the babies were born.

“My mom is retiring and she is going to take care of the babies,” she said.

Tyler, also 27, is an industrial maintenance technician at International Paper Co. in Conway.

“I grew up in Conway,” said Ashley. “Tyler moved to Mayflower in sixth grade and we actually started dating then. We graduated from Mayflower High School, went to college and got married.”

She is a daughter of Tim and JoAnn Raney and a great-granddaughter of the late J.H. “Holly” Raney and Frances “Poopsie” Raney, founders and longtime owners of Raney Grocery in Mayflower. She has two brothers, Matt, 32, and Darren, 21.

Tyler is a son of Eric and Christy Roberts; he has one younger sister, Erin, 22.

“Everyone is really excited about the babies,” Ashley said, smiling. “All the grandparents, aunts and uncles—they can’t wait to hold them. They are the first grandchildren on both sides of our family.

“Actually, the whole town is excited,” she said. “All my students at school, our church family at First Baptist, his co-workers, our families. It takes a village. We are so thankful for all of our support.”