If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and felt a sudden urge to move to a farm in Tennessee and buy a minivan, you’ve probably been looking at Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins. It is just the way they are. They make the "beautiful chaos" of raising a small army look like something we should all be doing. Honestly, though, the story of the Thomas Rhett children is way more than just cute matching outfits and backstage passes. It’s been a wild, often stressful, and deeply emotional decade for them.
Right now, as we sit in early 2026, the Akins household is vibrating at a different frequency. They are currently prepping for baby number five. Yes, five. And if you’re keeping track at home, that is five kids under the age of ten. If that doesn't make your head spin, I don't know what will.
The Ugandan Heartstring: Willa Gray
Everything basically started with a photo from Uganda. Back in 2016, Lauren was visiting a children's home on a mission trip. She saw a baby girl named Blessing. Something just clicked. She called Thomas—who was halfway across the world being a country star—and told him they needed to find this baby a home.
He didn't hesitate. At 2:00 in the morning, half-asleep, he blurted out, "We’re going to bring her home."
It wasn't that simple, though. International adoption is a mountain of paperwork and heartbreak. It took a year. It took multiple trips. It took Lauren living in Uganda for months while Thomas flew back and forth. By the time they officially brought Willa Gray (now 10 years old) home in May 2017, the plot had thickened significantly.
The "Double Whammy" of 2017
Life changes. That’s not just a song title; it’s the literal reality of what happened to them. Just as the adoption process for Willa was hitting its peak, they found out they were pregnant. Naturally.
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Most people think they adopted because they couldn't get pregnant, but the timeline is actually much more "divine intervention" flavored. They had been trying, sure. But the pregnancy happened right as they were finally cleared to bring Willa home.
In August 2017, just three months after Willa arrived in Nashville, Ada James was born. Ada is 8 now, and by all accounts, she is the "sassy" one. Thomas has joked that she's the first person to negotiate her way out of pajamas.
Imagine that for a second. You go from zero kids to a toddler and a newborn in 12 weeks. Thomas has been open about how "internally imploding" that period was. They were becoming famous, touring the world, and trying to figure out how to keep two tiny humans alive simultaneously.
Growing the Girl Squad: Lennon and Lillie
After the dust settled on the 2017 madness, the family kept expanding.
- Lennon Love (5) arrived in February 2020, right before the world shut down.
- Lillie Carolina (4) followed in November 2021.
Lennon was named after John Lennon—Thomas is a huge fan—and she’s often described as the "free spirit" of the bunch. Lillie, the youngest for the moment, was the one Thomas called "7.5 pounds of pure joy" when she was born.
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With four girls, Thomas fully embraced the "Girl Dad" brand. He’s the guy wearing pink headbands and playing tea party. But he’s also the guy who realized he needed to get in shape just to keep up. He recently mentioned that he and Lauren started taking their fitness seriously because they want to be the grandparents who can still kick a soccer ball around at 65.
The 2026 Update: Baby Number Five and New Paws
So, where are they now?
In August 2025, they dropped the news that baby number five is on the way, due in March 2026. This pregnancy has been a bit different. For the first time, they are waiting to find out the gender. Thomas says it’s because there aren't many surprises left in the world, so why not wait for the ultimate one?
Of course, the internet has thoughts. Lauren recently posted a video of herself duck hunting, joking about taking her "son" hunting for the first time. She immediately walked it back, saying she has no idea and it’s just "boy energy," but the fans are convinced the streak of girls is finally ending.
Recent Family Additions
It’s not just humans joining the crew. The family went through a rough patch in late 2025, losing their beloved long-time dogs, Cash and Kona, within a month of each other. It was a massive blow, especially for the older girls who grew up with them.
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To help heal the house, they’ve added two new pups:
- Nero, who joined in September.
- Moose, a "not-so-little" puppy that showed up for Christmas 2025.
What Fatherhood Actually Looked Like Behind the Scenes
It hasn't all been "Die a Happy Man" music videos. Thomas has been very transparent about the struggle of being "Dad" versus being "The Star."
In the early years, he felt a huge amount of guilt. When he was on the road, he felt like he was failing Lauren. When he was home, he felt like he was falling behind in his career. He’s talked about "intentional time"—making sure that if he holds the baby for an hour, he spends the next hour taking Willa Gray for ice cream.
He’s learned that consistency is the only way to survive. He and Lauren have a "yay or nay" rule. If Mom says no, Dad says no. No bending, even when they give you the "puppy dog eyes" to get extra Sour Patch Kids.
Moving Forward with the Akins Crew
If you're following the Thomas Rhett children saga, the next few months are the big ones. With a due date in March, the family is about to hit that "five under ten" milestone.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans:
- Watch the "Life Changes" lyrics: Thomas has been updating his signature song in live shows to reflect the new baby. Keep an ear out for the "five under ten" line.
- Gender Watch: Don't believe the "reveals" on TikTok until the baby actually arrives in March. The couple is officially committed to the surprise.
- New Music Influence: Thomas often uses his kids as a litmus test for his songs. If they don't "bop" to it in the car, it usually doesn't make the album. Expect his 2026 tour to be heavily influenced by this new chapter of life.
The Akins family proves that "normal" is whatever you make it. Whether it's adoption, biological surprises, or a house full of puppies, they’ve leaned into the mess. That’s probably why people love them so much—they aren't pretending it's easy; they're just showing us it's worth it.
Next Steps for You:
Keep an eye on Thomas Rhett’s official social media channels through March 2026 for the birth announcement. You can also check out Lauren Akins’ memoir, Live in Love, which gives the most detailed account of their adoption journey with Willa Gray and the early days of their marriage.