Country music hit-maker Thomas Rhett and wife Lauren Akins became parents to TWO sweet little girls this year when they brought adopted daughter Willa Gray home in May and welcomed their biological daughter Ada James into the world in August. That’s a lot to take on in a very short amount of time!
“There are moments where I’m definitely like, ‘Well, this isn’t pretty,'” Lauren candidly shared with PEOPLE about life as a new parent. “There’s never a dull moment. We’re tired, but we’re happy!”
The couple wouldn’t have it any other way, though— the couple worked hard to adopt Willa from Uganda and struggled conceiving little Ada. The quick crash course in parenting was a bit of a challenge for the new mom and dad, but Willa’s personality made the big changes much easier.
“You almost couldn’t tell that she ever lived anywhere else,” shared Rhett. “She’s such a go-with-the-flow child.” Things got a little more complicated for the toddler once her newborn sister arrived on the scene.
“When [Willa Gray] came home from Uganda, she didn’t skip a beat. She rocked it!” Lauren added, “Going from Uganda to America, nothing. Having a baby sister? World changing! She’s been very emotional.”
One of the biggest adjustments Willa Gray is experiencing is having to share her mother. “Ada’s literally attached to me most times of the day,” Lauren says. “So Willa Gray is constantly saying, ‘Hold you? Hold you?’ and she wants me to pick her up. That has been the hardest part for her.”
When Thomas is back home from the road, he steps in to spend quality time with Willa and give Lauren a break. Fortunately for the young family, they have a large support system of family and friends who are always eager to lend their help.
We wish the best for this adorable family as they navigate this chapter of their lives. Be sure to grab Thomas Rhett’s latest album, Life Changes, which just dropped on September 8th! The star is also nominated in three categories for the 2017 CMA Awards— Male Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year for “Craving You,” and Musical Event of the Year for “Craving You” with Maren Morris.
Please share this cute update with other fans of this country music family!
