Since we last left you...

... it was April. Thomas was 4 months old. We were living w/ coco & hatty while our house was being prepped for move in. 

We finally moved into our home and still "prepping", unpacking, painting, cleaning, need of a few remodeling, hanging pictures.. you get the idea. There is still a lot of work to be done. But, we love our home. We love our neighborhood. I have plenty of ideas for decorating, but that would require six lucky numbers to hit the lottery. A girl can dream. Point is we love our home that the Lord has blessed us with and we are excited about all the memories we will create here. 

All in our little family is healthy and happy, what more can we ask for. Health alone is a blessing and we do not take it for granted.

Here is a recap of our action packed Spring and Summer 2009. Starting w/ most recent:

T5 9 month bday. About 21 lbs

Helping Mom w Laundry

A day at the park w/  Dad & Mom

Summer vacation Warercolor, Florida June 09. 6 months

Montana Vacation  August 09 w/ Cousins, Aunts, & GG. 8 months

Swinging in Montana Aug.  Look at that smile. Pure Joy
Montana Vacation. We truly had the best time. No phones, No tv, No internet. Just the beauty of Nature and time w/ our precious family of 3.
Lake McDonald @ Glacier National Park

Beautiful Baby Boy you are the sunshine in our lives. 8 months on vacation in Glacier National Park after a 1hr 30 min hike.  All smiles as usual.

Hiking in Glacier. Dad loved every minute of hiking w/ you.
Team Hatfield
Aug 09. 8 months bday. Crying when I would not let you eat your bday sign. One of the few times you cry unless hungry or sleepy

Eating 8 month bday sign. Right before the meltdown
8 Months

Entertaining yourself as mom and dad finished dinner.

Mom & Dad in NYC for Dad's triathlon. T5 Stayed home for a fun weekend w/ Coco & Hatty. Yes mom cried the night before they left town. It was her first time away from her angel over night. But, she really enjoyed her vacation w/ Dad

7 months bday
Family pic @ 7 months. We are a good looking family. Is it Ok that I admit that? At least my boys are good looking, you can't deny that.

Swede, Tommy & T5 hard at work on the den lighting. Thanks guys... our den looks AWESOME now!!!
T5 trying a new treat from Gerber. He loves these puffs now. Devours them
First try at a sippy cup. 6 months

Las Vegas Baby. July 09
 July 4th 09. Also,  the first night T5 stood up in his crib. We lowered it as low as it will go the following morning

Family Vacation Watercolor, Florida 09.  We managed to go on the hottest &  most humid week of the year. But,the place is magical & I hope we go back in 2010. I LOVED it. T5's first trip to the beach
T5's first airplane ride from Dallas to Florida. Great story & A complete God thing. I'll share in a later post. 

1st official Mother's Day 2009 and Thomas' baby dedication. What a sweet day will always treasure.

Blurry 6 months bday photo. Impossible to have T5 to sit still and not attempt to eat the sign.
My handsome Hatfield boys. The loves of my life.  Thomas loves to suck his thumb and pinch his neck at the same time.. crazy, but so cute.

May 09. 5 months bday. Before we moved into our new home. Taken at Coco & Hatty's

Wow, Where does the time go. Seriously!  life w/ baby, work, and a move certainly have kept us on our toes. I love every minute of it. Yes, there are some days I get flustered because I don't come close to accomplishing anything on my to do list, but I try to savor every precious moment w/ my family.  I love Tommy more today than the day we exchanged vows. I love Thomas more than I ever thought possible. And I have fallen more in love w/ The God who created them both and has given me this the honor of being their wife and mother. 

I promise to blog more often... for the few family and friends that care. Actually I know there are a few who do care because you want updates on our Love bug, T5.  He just celebrated his 10 month bday and is still a very happy baby. Loves to smile for the camera, loves cars (and everything becomes a car he can push around and make vroom room noises), loves books, loves all food, loves to feed himself, and is showing interest in walking. What a precious joy. 

Thank God for being a father that knows me better than I know myself. For rewarding me a beautiful, healthy family.

Photos and Quick Update

All is well w/ Team Hatfield! 

Thomas is healthy, happy and our biggest blessing! We love watching him change, grow, and discover something new everyday.  This is a busy season of our lives as we are in the midst of a move and staying w/ Tommy's parents.  Even though we are living out of boxes and suit cases right now, I am learning to slow down and love right where we are in life. I am loving this special time w/ Hatty & Coco. I already have so many treasured memories from 1 1/2 weeks of staying here.

Tommy & Swede are working hard on our "new" house. THANK YOU!!!  Swede has been such a great friend and hard worker. So generous with his time and skills.  And Tommy is working so hard to prepare this home for his family. I just love him more and more everyday as I see how he serves us and provides for us. Thank you, honey for stepping out of your comfort zone of sporty to handy. We are excited and anxious to get moved in and work on the house and make a home for our family.  Our home is a blessing  and we look forward to opening it and seeing how God will give us opportunities to serve him there. 

Thomas is still sleeping through the night, although he did have a tough time adjusting the first few nights at Coco & Hatty's, but he is a trooper and doing great now. He had a great 4 month check up: 17lbs & a little over 25 inches. He started rice cereal this past weekend. The kid LOVES to eat. I will be sure to post photos & a video.

We had a wonderful Easter, celebrating our Risen Lord and Savior. I am looking forward to the upcoming years as Thomas will begin to understand the true meaning of this amazing celebration.

We pray that this finds you all healthy and happy. Please do not take one day for granted. Love on your family and friends. Don't get caught up on the small stuff that really does not matter in the end. Today I am so grateful for what Christ has done in my life and the sweet family and friends he has blessed me with. I am grateful for my health and the health of my family... I don't take it for granted. God is doing tremendous work in my life and I am more in love with Him today than ever before. I am hungry for His word and to embark on a path that he leads me. My prayer is that you too know God in an intimate way and know his love for you. 

Here are a few photos of precious Thomas:

With Handsome Dad at 4 month check up. 

Easter Sunday & 4 month Birthday 4-12-09

How can you not smile 24-7 when you have this bundle of joy in your life. 

1st time he rolled over from back to tummy. I think it was in March

3 month birthday 3-12-09
Thomas,

We love you very much and are so thankful that God placed you in our lives. You bring more joy and excitement to us than we ever could have imagined.  Love, Mom & Dad

Still Kickin'

Hey Family & Friends,
Sorry it has been a month since a post and more importantly updated photos of sweet Thomas. Team Hatfield has been mighty busy. We are on the move..YEAHHHH!!!!!! We close on a house tomorrow and the movers are due next Friday. We have a lot of work to do in the next week. Packing, painting, repairs, bathroom remodel, make decisions for tile, granite, and then bargin shop for it all. I am so excited I can't stand it! Excited to finally have my stuff unpacked and decorate a home. Most of my things have been packed for the past 3 years since Tommy and I got engaged. I am ready to create a home for Team Hatfield!! A home with traditions, laughter, family & friends. A home to serve the Lord!!! God has blessed our family w/ health, home, and happiness...this makes us wealthy! We can ask for no more. I will post photos soon! Over the next year I am sure my blog will contain lots of before and after photos of projects as Tommy and I attempt to paint every room, remodel bathrooms, kitchen, and more. Stay tuned because this could be comical... we are NOT HANDY, BUT WE ARE THRIFTY!!!

Thomas is great! He is still sleeping through the night. Growing way too fast. Teething, lots of drool, and chewing on anything he can pull into his gummy mouth. He is a beauty and I love everyday ... let me be clear.... I love every moment w/him.

I love Spring. Easter is my most favorite Holiday/Celebration. The resurrection of my Lord and Savior. The Cross! Forgiveness of my sins. For God loved me this much! Grace, Compassion, Sacrifice. He has risen, He lives!! I celebrate!!!

It is late and this momma is TIRED! I promise to update w/ photos soon!
P.S. Please continue to pray for my sister and her newborn son, Ian. They are healthy, but I know have a tough road ahead of them as K adjust to parenthood and all the responsibilities.

A Few Photos

Celebrating Tommy's Birthday. Happy Bday HH!!! I know it was extra special this year to celebrate with the best gift God could give us, a healthy baby. I love you more every day. Thank you for being a man of God, a great husband and father, & my best friend. I am excited to see how God blesses your life this year and uses you to make an impact for eternity. I love our new and improve Team Hatfield.

Our first day at church as a family of 3. Thomas did great and loves the swing in the nursery.

My handsome boys. I am one lucky lady!!!

Thomas loves his thumb & so do we! Oh, he is so dang cute!!!!

The Hatfields. Hatty(III), Gana, Uncle Kenny, Thomas(V), and Tommy(IV) .....What a special photo.

Sleeping Baby=Happy Baby & Parents

THANK YOU, BLOGGER FRIENDS!!!!!!!

For all the sleeping advice, it worked!!! Praise the Lord!!!!!!

Thomas has been sleeping through the night for the last 2 weeks. Tommy and I feel like new people, well at least we recognize the old us.

Each and every day w Thomas gets sweeter and sweeter.  Slowly we are discovering a schedule, at least the best you can w/ a newborn. I now understand Thomas' language, which eases some of my fear. Before i was so fearful that I would not know what he needed when he cried. Now i understand most of his language and body language.

Thomas is such a good baby & happy. I love coming in his room to get him in the mornings because he greets be with a super big, gummy smile... oh, it melts my heart!!!

Fog and Sunshine

A few photos of Thomas and Team Hatfield. All from day 9...yes, he is now 8 weeks old and I will post updated photos tonight when I am on the upstairs computer..these are all I have on my laptop for now.

The last 8 weeks are foggy, but all I can remember is sunshine. The prettiest sunshine I have ever seen in my life. This sunshine warms my heart and soul like no other. Even on the cloudiest, most gloomy of days, this sunshine will brighten my day. My sunshine is Thomas E. Hatfield, V. Oh, what joy this precious child has brought to me. The days are long and the nights are longer, but some how God provides me the strength and just enough energy to enjoy the love of this sunshine. The last 8 weeks have gone by so fast! Faster than I could ever have imagined and it breaks my heart. Our little guy is already so big and changing every day. I try to savor every moment and burn the image of his chunky cheeks, double chin, long fingers, & chubby toes into my memory.

Now, I would change something if I could...getting him on a schedule that includes sleeping through the night. Thomas is a great sleeper and even takes good naps. Problem is that he has night ans day totally backwards. He would sleep ALL day if I let him and is bright eyed about 10pm/11pm. Uhhhh, problem....mom is headed back to work in a few weeks, so we need to work on a schedule and good sleep at night. ANY SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!!! Plus, Tommy and I need some husband-wife time. I am missing my husband. It is tough to spend quality time w/ my #1 guy when I am exhausted..I mean REALLY EXHAUSTED!

Please keep us in your prayers.

• Our townhouse in under contract to close on March 2 (yes, in just a few weeks) and we are still unsure of where we are going. I am not interested in movin twice (rental until we find the right home at the right time), but I want to follow God's will and go where ever he leads us. So we are praying for direction, peace, and clarity.
• Praying to be a Proverbs 31 Woman. I pray for God to mold me in to a woman who loves him even more than I do now, follows him and models him in my home, marriage, motherhood, work, family, and friendship. Please pray that I will become selfless and expereince all God has planned for me to be.
• Pray for our sweet son to sleep through the night, play during the days, remain healthy and happy. Please pray for his future and for him to fall in love with Christ.
• Pray for our marriage, it is a GREAT marriage! But, I know that we are tired and embarking on a new journey. Pray that we keep Christ in the center and never allow satan to take advantage of our tired bodies and spirits. Pray that we become stronger as a team as we raise this child and become a family of three.

AND DON'T FORGET TO GIVE ME ANY TIPS OR SCHEDULE SUGGESTIONS TO GET THOMAS ON A SCHEDULE THAT INCLUDES SLEEPING LONGER AT NIGHT.

Love & Laughter,

Rhonda

Thank You Coco

Thank you for being such a special Coco and spending the first few nights in my room w/ me when I came home. You made life so much easier for mom and dad! Plus, we got to spend quality time together at 2 in the morning...just the two of us. Thank you for rocking me, singing to me, praying for me, changing me, and looking after me. Mommy tells me all the time how blessed we are to have such a special Coco and Hatty. I know that I am going to have lots of fun w/ my cousins when we all get together to play at Coco's. There is just something magical about Coco's house for us grandkids....and it is the one of a kind love of Coco.