Baby Bump.. is growing

Weeks 33-38. I don't think I took a photo each week of the baby bump : ( I know I will be sad about that later. At least we are getting just about each week. It is amazing to look back and see the growth of my tummy and this baby. What started as a size 4 and poppy seed is now... well, lets just say not much is fitting over my tummy these days (certainly not a size 4) and the baby is no longer the size of a poppy seed : )

About Week 33/34








About Week 36 w/ Deanna at her baby shower

Week 37 photo above

Week 38 photo below

At my 36 week check up 2 weeks ago I was -2 into the pelvic area, 0 dilated, & measuring right on track.

At my 37 week check up last Monday I was -1 into the pelvic area and 1 cm dilated & still measuring right on track.

Curious to see what tomorrow's 38 week check up brings. Dr. Harris said last week that based on my check ups I am still estimated for delivery around Dec 12. We are praying for that date... My Grandma's bday, the new Baylor Maternity Ward will be ready, and it gives us 2 more weeks to prepare. Although, we are mighty aware that this birth is up to God and Baby H. We will keep you posted as you keep us in your prayers.

Couples Shower!! Saturday, November 15th, we celebrated as a couple!!!

Me w/ Hostess: Michelle, Valerie and Deanna (Her baby is due about 3 weeks after Baby H... yes play dates & we hope for lots of them w/ this precious family)

Tommy w/ Hosts: Brandon, Ken & Rob

Each set of utensils was wrapped w/ a charm  "It's a Girl" or " It's a Boy" . I noticed  that Tommy and I each grabbed the opposite w/o even paying attention... So I guess this means we are not leaning either way...Still waiting for the delivery room surprise!!

Yummy cake!! From my favorite cake lady Angie!! It was so good and so cute! 

Happy Mom and Dad to be!!! Wow, I notice my face is pretty dang round and full these days...I guess it matches my belly!

Saturday, November 15th, we celebrated as a couple!!!

Our very generous and loving friends Rob & Michelle, Ken & Deanna, & Brandon & Valerie hosted several of our friends to celebrate Baby H and this sweet season. The shower was soooo much fun and I can't say THANK YOU big enough to our gracious hosts & hostess...seriously you guys really know how to throw a great party.  The appetizers, drinks, yummy food, sweet cake, decorations, gift, your love & support...it was perfect! 

I really enjoyed sharing the celebration w/ Tommy. A lot of the guests were friend from Fellowship Church that we met through our singles group and hometeams. Now most of us are married (met our spouse at FC) and into a new season of life. Other guest are precious friends that we have known for a long time. No matter the connection each guests is special to us and was fun to celebrate this blessing w them. Lots of laughter filled the Rickman home on this special night. We always enjoy being with these friends and have a great time.  

With the exception of maybe 4 couples at the party we are waiting for the rest of the gang to start families so we can all enjoy this season together.. : ) 

THANK YOU all so much for loving on us and showering Baby H with so many wonderful gifts. Most of all your friendship, support and prayers is what we cherish the most. Now don't forget to keep inviting the new parents out to dinner, celebrations, vacations and much more. Of course it might take us a few months to get over the lack of sleep before we can join the party again..but don't count the Hatfields out! 

We love Ya'll!!!

A few guests snuck out before I could get photos: Kenny & Libby, Catherine & Matt, Mr. & Ms. Rickman. 

Us w/ Peggy & Larry..NEWLY WEDS!!

Uncle Adam, Lauren & TK.  We always have a blast w/ this couple! Thanks for the Diaper Dude bag!!

Tammy & Chris... Newly Weds too! Super fun and adventurous couple. We are looking forward to future scuba trips w them!

Gana, Hatty, Our Friend Mik (His Fiance Kristi had to head out early...she is so sweet & we are ultra excited for them), Coco:

My Hero...

..My Best Friend, My Handsome Husband, My Teammate, Your Dad!!

Today I am an estimated 38 weeks and 1 day into this precious pregnancy. So, with in the next 2 weeks we will be meeting this little bundle of joy that God has created. In recent days I have spent some time to reflect on memories from the past 9 months. The one constant memory...my husband caring for me each and every day w/o one complaint. On week 7 we made a trip to the emergency room. From that day on to week 23ish I was sick every day! Morning and Night throwing up and extreme nausea during the noon time. 3 times I passed out..scary!

Tommy was sure to be beside me each time I hung my head to be sick. He held back my hair, rubbed my back, wiped my face, and continued to flush. He would go to work late to be sure I was OK first. He did the dishes, laundry, cooking, shopping, let me pick the food...anything that would help me during those weeks. He just loved on me and took excellent care of me...like no other time in my life. When I hit week 24/25 the sickness started to disappear..YEAHHHH! For both of us.

But, still during the past few months Tommy always checks on me through out the day, cooks on the days I am tired, shops w/ me so I don't go alone, let me pick the meals for my cravings, bakes the best ever homemade chocolate cookies at 10:00pm because it sounds good to me right then, runs to the store late night for ice cream, sorbet, lemonade...you name it he takes care of it!! I do my very best to tell him THANK YOU every time he does something nice or helps me out. Your caring heart and hard work does not go unnoticed!

It is tough for me to ask for help, so this season has been quite the adjustment for me. But, I know that Tommy loves me and our baby and it is wise for me to not push myself.

Tommy, you are my hero! Thank you for taking care of me like no other. Thank you for loving me unconditionally, Thank you for telling me how beautiful I am every day, Thank you for taking our vows serious and to heart and for living them out every day. Thank you for making me laugh and for putting up w/ all the days I was super sick and could not do a dang thing, but get to the bathroom or lay in bed. Thank you for letting me keep Whataburger and Sonic in business w all my several times a week visits.

There are no words to tell you how much I love you, appreciate you, value our marriage and your friendship, respect you, and can't wait to start this new journey w/ you. You are my hero, my best friend, my handsome husband, my teammate, and about to become the best dad any child could pray for! I LOVE YOU THE MOST, YOUR SSW!!

Sweet Baby H, You have the best Dad in the world. One who already loves you unconditionally and would make many sacrifices for you. We look forward to meeting you. We have cherished this time that God has spent knitting you into a unique being. See you soon, precious one!
Love, Mom

What a Special Celebration!!

Table Decorations

On Sunday my precious friends, Alison, Rosemary, and Melinda hosted a beautiful baby shower for Baby H! Rosemary hosted at her beautiful home and I do mean beautiful!! The table was decorated w/ flowers, antique dolls, cute pink & blue petit fours...oh so perfect and charming! Since we do not know the sex of the baby each guest was to take either a pink or blue napkin and petit four based on your guess...boy or girl! Boy won by 1 vote!!!We shall see!

I voted boy, but truly I have no idea!!

It turned out to be a small # of guests, but it was perfect! We had plenty of time to visit and laugh! We sat down to open gifts and I looked around the circle of women and realized just how much each person has meant to me and impacted my life in such a unique way! I was able to take a few minutes to share with a few of these special ladies just how important they are to me and how God used them in my life. It was a special moment and not with out tears. 

I just did not take enough photos and I am so disappointed!

In attendance:

Hostess: Alison, Rosemary & Melinda.  I love these ladies. What a blessing they are to me!

No photo.. : ( My Great Aunt Bev,  Loving, devoted!

My Cousin Mitzi and her sweet twin daughters, Megan & Katherine..Love them ! Great mom!

My precious neighbor Joanie. So much fun! Creative, Loving! Chatting w/ Patty, Coco, & Joanie.

My friend Oksana.. we met at Fellowship Church a few years back. Heart for the Lord. Sweet!

My friend Cassandra, cerative, loving, so sweet, Great teacher

• No Photo : ( My Mother in law, Johnnie "Coco". How did I get so lucky!!!?
  
• Again, No photo Tommy's Grandma, "Gana". So sweet and Precious.
  
• No Photo, Teresa, my boss's wife. Teresa is VERY creative. I would love to have just an ounce of her talent. Cooking, painting, decorating, drawing, gardening, stylish! I mean she is one hip and cool lady! So much fun to be around! Beautiful inside and out!
  

My precious Patty (7th & 8th grade science teacher.. I lived w/ her for a short time twice). Servant's heart! Fun! Great Mom, friend and teacher!

My terrific friend Tara.. I love her, so funny! We met at Brookhaven College during a 8 day backpacking trip  at Big Bend. We laughed our heads off during this trip. It was either laugh or cry and boy oh boy, did we laugh even when we wanted to cry!! We need to spend more time together!!

Thank you ALL so much for being a special part of my life. For loving me "warts and all" as Tara likes to say : )  You have all loved me unconditionally and impacted my life in a way that only God could have planned. 

You have already started spoiling this sweet child of mine. Now we are awaiting the arrival so you can shower this baby with hugs, love and kisses!

Forever Grateful,

Rhonda Sue