Mark's parents came into town on Thursday and we were definitly ready to have some helping hands again. We decided to take the girls to a pumpkin patch to pick out some small pumpkins and just enjoy the nice weather. This pumpkin patch was put on by a church. It was very small, but there were pumpkins everywhere. The girls just loved walking around and trying to pick up the pumpkins. They also had a little maze there for kids. I am not quite sure they understood the concept of the maze especially since the adults who were leading them could see over the walls. I wanted to let them all three loose and see who would finish first, but no one went for it. Regardless they had fun walking around. We picked out 3 little pumpkins and bought face stickers this year. With the girls running around and keeping me busy, I don't have the time or the energy to carve 5 pumpkins again this year. We will be carving one big one as a family this time.
The girls and Mark and I actually have a wedding to go to on Halloween this year, so stay tuned for our eventful Halloween pictures to come soon.
The girls visiting the graveyard at the pumpkin patch
Chloe the scarecrow
Jillian the Scarecrow
Payton the scarecrow
Quick snap the picture...they are impossible these days!
Chloe and Uncle Derek walking through the maze
I sent Payton off on her own, but she came back to me.
Finding thier way through the maze
The puzzling maze
Payton: "I want this one"
Jillian: "Can I have this one Mommy?"
Jillian:"Yeeeaahhh...I'm gonna need some help with this one!"
Today was Jillian's surgery. Let me start off by saying she is doing very well. If you didn't know she had surgery today, you would never guess it. She is acting like her normal self. It is amazing to see her tongue come all the way out of her mouth. I am so happy for her. :)
Her surgery was at 8:30 this morning. We had to be to the outpatient center by 7:15. So needless to say it was an early morning. Jillian was a trooper the entire morning. I think she really just enjoyed the one on one time with Mommy and Daddy. They took us back to our little room and we had to dress Jillian in a hospital gown. It was at this point when I started to cry. Not Jillian, but ME! As you can see she was very happy..
All of there were before surgery...
The nurse came in and walked us through the procedure and told us exactly what to expect. At this point I was very nervous and sad for Jillian (crying like a baby, again ME not Jillian). As the nurse started to leave she handed us a wavier explaining all the complications that can come from being under anesthesia. Some of the complications listed were paralysis, permanent nerve damage and even death. She informed me the anesthesiologist would be in to talk to us about his part of the surgery. So at this point I am doing everything I can to contain my fears/tears and be brave for Jillian. When the anesthesiologist came in and I was sitting just like this...
Jillian was hiding behind me because we were playing a game. He thought the baby on my lap was Jillian, and he was NOT joking. This did not calm my nerves AT ALL. When they finally came and took her they carried her into the operating room. This made me feel a little bit better. I was worried about seeing her rolled away in that bed. She didn't cry when she left us at all and they even let her take her baby with her. The doctor was back out in about 7 minutes (the longest 7 minutes ever). He said everything went perfect. We were released about 20 minutes later. She came back to us a little out of it, but she was happy just laying on Daddy and drinking her apple juice. She slept most of the way home from the surgery center. Now she is just happy as can be. She is doing a lot better than I would have expected, and I am glad to have this behind us.
Friday we took the girls to the doctor for their 18 month check up. It was good all around! Payton weighs 24 lbs 3 oz. , Chloe weighs 24lbs 10oz, and little Jillian weighs 23lbs 1 oz. Jillian is still behind in her weight and height. She is the shortest and skinniest. I am sure one day she will appreciate being the skinniest. The good news is that both Chloe and Payton are now in the average column for both height and weight. The doctor says sometime it takes preemies almost 2 years to catch up, so we are still holding out for Jillian. Most normal 18 month old babies are in the beginning stages of speaking and saying about 5 words on their own. Our girls say at least 5 words, but it takes a lot of prompting to get them to say anything. The goal would be to get them to start volunteering words to us. So we will be trying to work on this in the coming months.
Last Monday, we took Jillian to the ENT specialist. As many of you may or may not know, she is what they call tongue tied. It is where the tip of the tongue is tied down to the bottom of the mouth. Sometimes it can cause eating problems which makes babies not gain weight. This was not a problem for her. However, it can cause speech problems as she gets older. The ENT noted that her tongue was a severe enough case that he could almost be certain that she would have speech issues. His advice was for Jillian to have surgery. He thought it was best to get it taken care of now so she doesn't develop "bad" speech habits. We were very hesitant, but in the long run it is something she needs so we have to do it for her. It is an outpatient surgery. She will have to be put under anesthesia for 30-60 seconds . From start to finish the procedure should last 5-10 minutes. They will just snip the piece that is holding the tongue down and put 2 stitches in it. Her surgery is going to be this Tuesday, October 11th. Please pray for our little Jillian.
On a lighter note, we took the girls to get their pictures taken today. Jillian was not into it at all. The photographer somehow got some good ones and then some not so good ones. They are all in there so have a good laugh. I will post on Tuesday to give everyone an update on Jillian and her surgery.
The girls have really started interacting with us and with each other recently. It is amazing to be able to tell them things, and they understand fully what you just said. Life in our house is getting a little easier every day. Every night before bed we have a clean up party. They are starting to clean up their own messes (AMAZING). Chloe is the best cleaner. She loves to help put her books away.
They have also recently learned the word hug, and now they love to give hugs. I can easily say I don't think there is a better feeling in the world than when they wrap their little arms around you and squeeze. The cutest thing is when they hug each other. They get so into it they end up knocking each other down, but it is so cute.
As far as talking, they are getting better with some words. They try to repeat us constantly (we have to start watching what we say). The words don't always come out clear, but it is so cute when they try to talk to us and to each other. Mark has been working with them and teaching them animal sounds and body parts. They can do most of the animals in our books: cow, bird, dog, cat, bunny, hamster, fish, bear and they know where their nose, eyes, ears, feet, belly button, head and mouth is. It is very neat to see them learn and pick up things fairly quickly. They love to read and times three Mark and I read hundreds of books a day. Unfortunately they seem to bring us the same books over and over again. Luckily they don't notice when we skip a few pages yet! :)
I think the best part of having triplets is watching them interact with each other. They really love each other. Payton has really become the care taker of the group. She will try to be the peacemaker. If one of her sisters is crying she will try to bring them a pacifier or toy. She will pat their back when they cough and she is the best at sharing her toys. They have all grown out of the biting phase for the most part. We have gone from one bite every hour to one bite every week. Life is good in the Royer house! Here are several pictures and some videos on a side note, they love wearing hats. There are a lot of pictures with them in hats. That is all their doing. They see a hat and MUST put it on. It is so funny. Enjoy...
Let's swing sissy!...Having so much fun!
Payton and Jillian having fun in their cribs
First time the girls started to Hug each other.
More Hugging time with Sissy's
Come on Charlie!!!...Give me a Kiss!!! (Jillian)
He doesn't want me : ( (Jillian)
I like him...He's my buddy I love to pet and chase around! (Jillian)
I think this looks good..What do you think? (Payton)
Ravioli Night!!!...Daddy did my hair for me! (Payton)
Beautiful Jillian
Hmm...I like the Ritz Crackers...What do you like? (Payton and Chloe) 1st time in the big girl cart.
Chloe: Let's take this cart for a spin. (Payton and Chloe)
HUGS!!! Payton and Chloe!
Jillian:"Yeah...Daddy got to my hair too!" Rock Star!!!
Chloe and Daddy waiting for Mommy.
Payton: I can put this chair right here and I'm going in the kitchen Daddy!
I don't think I'm suppose to be up here...Haha but I like it! (Jillian)
Parrot Payton! Monkey See Monkey Do!
Chloe making her Daddy proud playing the drums!
Payton Fast asleep
What?!?...You don't like it? (Payton)
Jillian gathering up the toys!
Sweet Jillian watching your every move!
Payton Standing on the Couch
Chloe and her Patty Cake Bear!
Yes he did my Hair today...Can't you tell! (Chloe)
Payton said I could wear it! (Chloe)
Hi!...What do you want to do today!?!(Chloe)
Payton: Hi there!
Chloe: I kinda like these hats too!
Jillian: Yes...Can I help you?
Jillian: Yea...Just Chillin.
Payton: Ready for the Slopes! Got my Snow hat on!
Chloe loving her Elmo Slippers!
Pretty Girl Chloe
Chloe: Hugs for baby!
Payton: I gotta support the Yankees...That's Daddy's Team!
Chloe: Chillin in Mommy and Daddy's room
Payton loves wearing her hats!
Yes...Can we help you? (Charlie, Jillian, Payton)
Jillian and her buddy Charlie
Let's Color with Mommy! (Chloe and Jillian)
I like this color! (Jillian)
Payton: Easy does it!
Playing by the door...kinda like it over here...ready to answer the door! (Payton and Jillian)
Big Smiles from Jillian
Chloe going for the books...Everyday must do..Let's drag out all the books and spread them all over the floor!
Payton texting away!
Jillian getting all the toys
Chloe playing on the table
Chloe
Payton: This is my serious look
Chloe: "Yes Mamma?"
Chloe: What is that?!?
Payton:" Well...What are we going to do today?"
Chloe gazing at Mickey
Payton: Not a hat..but it still looks good!
Payton: Yea gotta have it...they have their pacis..I have my thumb and never loose it!
Chloe reading away
Payton: Giddy Up Daddy!
Payton: "This looks like a nice spot to hang out..He won't mind"
Jillian reading her book
Jillian smiling away
Payton: Isn't it a little early for pictures?
Chloe
Happy Chloe
Chloe having fun on the couch with Mommy
Chloe and Mommy hanging out.
Jillian: "Why...Hello!"
Chloe Bear!
Payton: Yea could you put down that camera...I want to take a look at this book!
The girls visiting the graveyard at the pumpkin patch
Chloe the scarecrow
Payton the scarecrow
Quick snap the picture...they are impossible these days!
Chloe and Uncle Derek walking through the maze
I sent Payton off on her own, but she came back to me.
Finding thier way through the maze
The puzzling maze
Payton: "I want this one"
Jillian: "Can I have this one Mommy?"
Jillian:"Yeeeaahhh...I'm gonna need some help with this one!"
UUUUUGGGGHHHHH!...This is heavy!!
Payton: "This one's mine!"
Chloe: "hmmm...I like this one I think"
Payton: "YYYEEEAAAHH..What do I do with this?"
Uncle Derek met us at the Pumpkin Patch!
Payton
Payton: "I don't know which one to pick"
Jillian: "What am I gonna do with this?"
Jillian: "A little help here"
