Happy Birthday, Elijah!

Elijah Robert was born at 10:47 am on December 23rd, 2008.

Yesterday was my sweet baby boy's first birthday. That tiny baby is now a social, active, joy-filled toddler. He loves his mommy and daddy and his dog. His smile is infectious and people can't help but smile back when they meet him.

One year ago my life was forever changed. For so long I had wondered what I was supposed to do with my life, if I had a purpose. When I looked into the eyes of that precious boy for the first time, I understood. If all I ever do is love on this boy and raise him to love the Lord, it will be more than enough.

Happy birthday, sweet little man. Mommy and daddy love you SO much!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward." - Psalm 127:3

He's Always Been Faithful (and a prelude to the birthday post)

Whoa. That's me (and Eli!) almost one year ago. I was 37 weeks pregnant and had just begun my maternity leave (I didn't know then that my leave would be permanent!).

What a difference a year makes.

Rob looks a little stalkerish...

In just over two weeks my little man will be one year old. This year has brought so many changes and so much joy to our family. When we decided that I would stay home to raise our son, we didn't really know how it would work or how long we would be able to manage it. God provided, and I have had the incredible privilege of spending every day with my son. Not too long ago we really thought I would have to go back to work. We decided to try to adjust our finances to see if I could still stay home, and God has been faithful as always. I have learned that God shows His love for us and His provision in many ways. He initially provided for us financially, but later He provided practical ways for us to be good stewards of what we already had. Without spiritual provision, we wouldn't even make it through the day. As we approach a time in our lives when it feels like things are up in the air and we could go in a dozen different directions, it is comforting to know that God is constant and He will always take care of us. Sometimes I worry too much and forget that He has always kept His promises and that He will never forsake us. It is good for me to remember the times when His care and provision were impossible to overlook and remind myself that He will always be there.

"All I have need of, His hand will provide. He's always been faithful to me."

Adventures in Solid Food

About a month ago we decided to give solid foods a try. We started with bananas, which did not go over well. Sweet potatoes were much preferred. The whole experience has been a learning process. Sweet potatoes are the only food that Eli will finish if he is being spoon fed. He likes frozen applesauce in the mesh feeder, but he does not like applesauce warmed up. Avocados are the newest acceptable food. I also learned today that he likes to feed himself with the spoon, but don't try to take it away to put more food on it! All in all, solids have been pretty hit and miss so far. He doesn't hate them, but he doesn't love them like some babies do. I'm not really concerned, since breastmilk/formula should be babies' primary source of nutrition for the first year. Because I breastfeed, I can be confident that he is getting all the nutrients he needs. If you've seen him in person, you know that he is definitely not starving :)

3 Months

Only about 11 weeks old here, but it's one of my favorite pictures :)

Sweet boy, today you are three months old! It seems like that time has flown by, but at the same time it is hard to remember life without you. I love spending every day with you, watching you grow and discover the world around you. My favorite thing is watching you interact with your daddy. It brings me so much joy to see you smile and laugh together.

Happy 3 month birthday, Peanut! Mommy loves you so much!

Ugh...

It's been a long week. As I said on Monday, I have lots of things to write, but finding time to sit down to actually do that has been impossible. On top of just not being organized with my time, there's definitely been some emotional strain in our life. I won't go in to details on that, but I just ask for prayer for healing, understanding, and grace between friends.

But there is good news! Rob is now the store manager at OfficeMax! This is a huge blessing for us. He has been working so hard for this, and I am really proud of him :)

Elijah is growing and changing constantly. He's getting so big. I had to take all of his 3 month sleepers out of his dresser today because they are all too short (he's only 10 weeks old!). We recently bought him a Bumbo chair to help him learn how to sit up by himself. He's not quite ready for it yet, but he really seems to enjoy it. I think it will turn out to be a very good investment.


Anyway...I have a few things in mind that I want to write about. Look for posts on why I consider myself a bit of a "crunchy granola tree hugger," modesty, and a few things I am learning about waiting on God.

Elijah Robert

Elijah: The Lord is My God
Robert: Bright Fame

It is my prayer that my son's life will be devoted to being a bright light for Christ and bringing fame to the Lord.

One Month

My little man is one month old today! It doesn't seem like it has been that long, but at the same time I can barely remember what life was like without him. He brings so much joy to my life every single day. I think all mothers hate to see their babies grow up, but I so enjoy watching him develop and change.

Before Elijah came into my life, I was without direction. I struggled for several years with understanding my purpose in life. I tried to find it by changing majors and schools (four times) and switching jobs. Each change left me disappointed as nothing ever fit. I began to believe that I didn't really have a purpose, that God had no path laid out before me. This caused a cloud of depression that hung over my head constantly, reminding me of the school debt with no degree attached to it and that I was in a job that anyone off the street could be trained to perform. I'm not sure how many times I cried in desperation over the lack of worth I felt.

Everything changed on December 23rd, 2oo8. From the very first moment I held that sweet boy and looked into his eyes, I understood. Years of confusion and frustration were washed away within a matter of seconds. He is my purpose. He is my life. He has filled a void in my life that no degree or job ever could. I am his mother and I am his father's wife, and that is what God had planned all along. I know my life will have many seasons and God will use me in different ways, but if all He ever needed me to do was bring my precious child into the world that would certainly be enough.

The best gifts come in tiny packages.

Merry Christmas from the Tomko Family!

Love: Robert, Melissa and baby Elijah

Baby Pics

Mommy and Elijah.

Daddy and Elijah. More to follow.

This has been an amazing day. (Robert posting for Melissa) I got to meet my son today. It was absolutely amazing. We were blessed with a short and painless delivery. Our son's full name is Elijah Robert Tomko. He is 8 pounds 8 ounces at 20.5 inches long. He was born at 10:47 this morning. We thank our friends for the prayers and the support and for everyone who has offered any support over the next few weeks. We really appreciate all of it, even my WOW friends. We will post more pictures soon, when we get a chance to take some better ones. Until then, God Bless and Merry Birth Day of our Lord and Savior.

Has it really been nine months?

I wish I had poetic words to describe how I am feeling right now. Instead I just stand in awe at the fact God is trusting me to bring a life into the world today. I imagine that I will never feel greater purpose than when I finally hold that precious boy in my arms.

Last night I began having strong contractions that were five minutes apart. We went to the hospital around 10:00pm. They started monitoring me, and the contractions just kept getting stronger. I was sure that I had to be dilating like crazy. I just knew that I was going to have my little boy by now. Well, by 1:30am I had only dilated another centimeter so we came home. So right now I am at 3cm and 90% effaced. I really hope that I'm not one of those women who walks around forever like that with nothing else ever happening. I'm hoping that the contractions just start coming like crazy or my water breaks soon.

I decided to clean my whole house tonight. Gotta love that nesting instinct :) Maybe if I just keep cleaning and doing things my body will react the way I want it to. I can only sit around so much. Patience is a virtue I was not born with, so this waiting is making me crazy!

Still Waiting

There hasn't been much change in my progress, although the contractions are slightly closer together than they were yesterday (about 6-7 min apart now). I'm still just trying to take it easy. I've really enjoyed lounging around in jammies for the past two days :)

I'm hoping and praying that it won't be much longer before Elijah makes his debut. My due date is December 29th, but we scheduled an induction for the 23rd. I have mixed feelings about the induction. I want it because the timing will allow Rob to take more time off, and it's very important to me that he be home with us as much as possible. However, I really wanted a natural birth. If I am induced I will have no choice but to get an epidural. I'm not one of those women who is so crazy about being natural that I would refuse pain medication at all costs, but I did want to try to wait as long as possible before taking it. If Eli decides to come on his own before next Tuesday, then I will be able to try to do the things the way I had originally planned.

That's all for now. Keep checking back for updates here and on facebook.

Just a Matter of Time

The waiting game has officially begun! I started having strong, regular contractions around 6:00 this morning, and they have been consistent ever since. Sometimes they are painful, sometimes they're not. They are still 7-9 minutes apart, but they are lasting about a minute each. I hope they start getting closer together soon. My doctor wants me to wait to go to the hospital until they are 3-5 minutes apart for an hour.

I haven't spent much time relaxing since I have been off work, so that is what I am planning to do today. I would like to bake some granola bars and muffins so we (well, Rob really, since I won't be able to eat once we get there) have some healthy snacks at the hospital and don't have to rely on the vending machines. I'll probably try to do that today too. Cooking and baking are relaxing for me, so it's not like doing real work.

I'll keep posting updates here and on facebook. Hopefully Elijah will be here soon!

Only One Thing Missing...

These letters were my project today. I think they turned out pretty well!

I love this glider. I've been using it as a reading chair already. By the way, Grandma Laura and Grandpa Steve (my parents) are big NASCAR fans, hence the Dale Earnhardt Jr. fleece :)

This train belonged to my great grandpa. I remember going into his "train room" and watching the trains travel around the little village he built. I'm glad my son gets to have this little piece of our family history.

The room is done. All that is missing is the little man himself!

Quick update...

There has been a lot going on since I last posted (in SEPTEMBER). We've been very busy getting ready for little Elijah to make his debut. His room is coming along nicely. We went to Wisconsin last month for a family baby shower, and I have another one today here in Joplin. Work is winding down. I only have four weeks left! I'm glad that I have extra vacation and sick time so I can take leave a little early. Hopefully I can relax during those last few weeks.

I began reading Twilight this morning. I understand what all the fuss is about, as I am half way through and only stopped reading because I had to do some cleaning and get ready for the shower. I anticipate finishing it tonight or tomorrow.

One of these days I am going to develop some graphic design skills and make this page more interesting. That is simply not something that comes naturally to me.

I promise more frequent posts :)