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.

Little T Meeting Family & Friends @ Hospital

Just a few of the sweet faces that came to the hospital to love on Thomas... we didn't get photos of everyone, but we love you all! Thank you for the visits,gifts, cards, & prayers. I promise I am still working on my thank you cards.


"auntie" Kelley, one of the first to come by the house to visit and love on me. She has twin boys Matthew and Jackson. ..my special buddies who pray for me and send me handmade cards in the mail. Kel gives mom all kinds of great parenting advice, she is a pro!

Uncle Scott and Dad. Scotty will teach me how to hunt, love for books, video games, and all about being a good man.

Our Sweet "Honey" Singing and Rocking Thomas to sleep. We love Honey, she is extra special to us. Alison & Robert stop by for a visit too, but we forgot to get a photo. The Stueve & Davenport families are SPECIAL to us, they love us like family!

Below Photo: Our Fun and Precious friends TK & Lauren loving on Thomas. TK, Thomas can't wait for you to teach him your dance moves & Lauren, Thomas and I need a baby yoga instructor....Mom needs to get back in shape. We love your hearts, smiles, and friendships. Now bring a Baby S into this world soon so we can plan some rockin' "family friendly" vacations.

"Uncle"Rob. We can't wait to meet the rest of the Rickman family. We know the Hatfields and Rickmans will have some fun play dates in the future..Maybe pool parties, hanging w/ Crawford, Haley, & Margaret, Cheering our Dad's on at the Triathlon transitions and finish line.

Wells Family. Thomas, Mom is not so sure you can ever ride in a car w/ Corey..he likes to drive tooo fast : ) We love the Wells Family! We are looking forward to sweet "auntie" Melinda coming to love on us soon.

Thomas, This is mommy's wonderful Great Aunt Bev and Uncle Charles. They have a special place in my heart. I know you will love your GREAT GREAT Aunt & Uncle as much as I do. Watch out for that Uncle Charles... he loves to tease and have a good 'ol time.

Another Precious "auntie"... Stacy! Her laugh & smile are perfect and you will love being around her as much as mom does. I know you'll feel like a party when she is here loving on you.

Larry, Peggy & Christi. Larry will teach me to dress cool (him and TK) and the trade of acting for my first school play. Peggy will teach me how to be smart, study hard, and have fun...she is super smart & beautiful!!! I can't wait for them to come see me again.

MY Hatty! I am so proud to have the same name as this wonderful, God fearing man. I hope to grow up and be a great man like My Hatty & Dad! I am counting down the days till I am big enough to talk sports w/ Dad and Hatty & of course for them to teach me to throw a football and shoot hoops!

"auntie" Liz... What a special friend to our family. So generous, so loving, sweet spirit. Thomas LOVES Liz. I think he already has a little crush on his hip, talented, and well traveled "auntie".

Uncle Todd and Chloe Checking in on Baby Thomas.

Meeting Aunt Joy and Cousin Chloe... So excited to FINALLY meet her baby cousin!

Aunt Joy & Cousin Colton.. Just as excited as Chloe to meet his baby cousin. Can't wait to teach him how to build, explore, and climb!

Proud Dad introducing Thomas to Aunt Joy. Really, both Dad and Aunt Joy's face say it all!!

I can't wait to be big enough for sleep overs w/ my cousins and get lots of hugs and kisses from my Aunt Joy & have a fun time w/ Uncle Todd.

Beautiful "Aunt" Leslie, Thank you for all the Sonic lunches, nightly walks, shopping trips, and prayers. I already LOVE my Aunt Leslie soooo much! I love that you come by to see me almost daily and you help mom so much... you really are a beautiful "aunt" inside and out!

My VERY SPECIAL "Aunt" Christi! Thank you for being a special "sister" to my mommy and loving me like only a special aunt can. One of the first few people to hold me on day one!! Can't wait to discover all the fun things you will teach me growing up. Mom says you love me sooo much and will make me laugh a lot.

Introducing Thomas E. Hatfield V. Happy Birthday!

Meeting Coco & Hatty for the first time!! Can't wait to call everyone!!

IT'S  A BOY!!!!! PURE EXCITEMENT!! Coco, Hatty and Aunt Christi receiving the great news from Dad! 

MOM & THOMAS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE BIG WORLD!!! OH, HOW I ALREADY LOVE YOU!!!

PROUD Dad introducing his big baby boy to Mom!!!

A sweet sign of love before we ever met your sweet face. 
What a day! A perfect day!!! We love you Thomas E. Hatfield V.

OH BABY....

Oh Boy, Oh Boy...


Yes, our precious baby BOY arrived Friday, December 12, @ 8:16 am.

Thomas Edmund Hatfield V.

Healthy!!!

9 lbs 6oz

20 1/4 inches

As planned, we checked into the hospital Friday at 5:45am, epidural, attempt for external turn, frank breech baby was stubborn and not willing to turn (already settled low), get ready for c section, 8:16am our lives were forever changed by God's biggest blessing yet!

THANK YOU for all your prayers on Friday, we felt them.
More details and photos to come.... i promise!!!

39 Week Bump & Check up

38.5 week photo

On Monday we went to see Dr. Harris for my 39 week check up. I was really anxious for this appointment because during the last week I thought I had experienced Braxton Hicks and perhaps we were finally making some progress toward Labor & Delivery. Nope! Still 1.5 cm dilated. 90% effaced.I have gained about 33-35lbs total..wow! My blood pressure is stil great and Baby H's heartbeat was 136, All measurements are good. Dr. H did ask me about my movement counts and I have felt that some days they are slow and then there are days w/ a lot of movement. Dr. H decided to do a sonogram for a 5 point assement..check movement, fluid, and at this point I can't remember what else.

We made a 40 week check up appointmet for next Monday just in case baby still is not here. Then the sono tech was ready for us... Immediatly, the tech told us that the baby is breech. What?? not what we were expecting! Some time in the last week the baby decided to turn... to our surprise and the doctor's. So this changes everything.

Cancel Monday's appointment and lets discuss options. After much discussion, prayer and second opinion we will be headed to the hospital on Friday morning about 545am, check in, have an epidural, Dr. H will meet us at 7am and try to externally move the baby. We should know with in 5 minutes if Baby H is going to turn or be stubborn and hangout in breech. If Baby H turns (which is what we are praying for) I will be induced and we wait for labor to begin...if Baby H decides to not turn then I will be prepped for a c section. So, PLEASE PRAY for Baby H to turn!!! We have complete peace in the labor and delivery and confidence in Dr. H and the medical staff.
For the next few days I am at home resting and praying for the baby to turn and to not go into labor while baby is still breech.
The sonogram did reassure us of a healthy baby weighing approx 8.5lbs, big cheeks, and looks like baby might have a lot of hair.
Friday we will be celebrating a new birthday and finally meeting our sweet Baby H.
See ya soon sweet Baby H, please listen to mommy and daddy and turn!

39 week photo

38 Week Check Up

Great appointment today!
Blood pressure is still great. Minimum swelling in legs and ankles. Gained 3 lbs, but probably due to just eating lunch & all the Thanksgiving food from last week. Baby H's heart rate 136. Measurements right on track. -1 into the pelvic area, 1.5 cm dilated. So far it still looks like Dec 12ish for due date. Dr. Harris estimates that Baby H's weight is 7+lbs and that I will have an 8lb baby. Wowzers, I was not expecting that!! Tommy was all smiles knowing there is a healthy baby growing inside of me and we can expect a little chubby cutie pie in the next 2 weeks.

Thank you, HH for going to every appointment with me because you want to be there and experience all the joys of hearing about our baby's progress & sweet heartbeat.