Help

I have been working on this post for a while and meant to have it posted a while back, but now it seems very fitting that it will be posted during Thanksgiving. Over the past 6 weeks Jacob and I have recieved so much help from friends and family and wanted to thank everyone! We have had a hard couple of weeks and are thrilled to be back in the swing of things. Thank you to everyone who has helped us.

One of the main reasons we chose to attend Convenant Church was because it felt like home and we felt like family from the first day we visitied. Since then we have become members, been invovled in Bible studies, and Jacob is even helping in the office. We have been so blessed by these brothers and sisters through everything they have done. Our Elder's wife threw us a baby shower during our 8th month of pregnancy and introduced me to many women from our church. My entire pregnancy I wished that I could have a baby shower in St. Louis, our new home, but didn't know enough people to throw one. I was so shocked by everyone who came to the shower to support our family! Especially when many who came had never met us. Not only has Covenant Church made us feel welcome from the beginning, but they have been a wonderful help since Alethea's arrival. They coordinated meals so Jacob and I had dinner for the first month we were home, and have also helped out around the house with all the things that need to get done to maintain a home. Thank you so much! We don't know what we would have done without all the help from our Church.

We are also very thankful to my mom and sisters who have gone to great extremes to help out. From laundry to babysitting to watching Wallace they have been an immense help.  We have received many prayers from family and friends far and near. We are also thankful for Jacob's professors who have been extremely understanding and accommodating during this crazy time in our lives. Each day we are reminded that St. Louis is exactly where we should to be and how much this has become home. Thank you to everyone who has physically helped out and also those who have been diligent prayer warriors. We have had many  requests for prayer over the last year, and who knows what our lives would be like if so many faithful brothers and sisters were not praying for us.

This Thanksgiving we are thankful to ALL YOU who have helped make this time with our daughter special and memorable. Thank you!!

1 Month Old!

Alethea is 1 month old today! Tuesday November 14, 2011.  (I apologize this is late but I'm having a hard time keeping up with writing and posting on time.)

Our Dear Alethea,

I can not believe that you are already 1 month old! It seems like only yesterday we were anxiously awaiting your arrival. You have brought so much joy and love to our lives that I can not even begin to explain. It amazes me that you know your mommy and daddy. Sometimes I can't believe that you are the little child that was inside me for so long.

You are such a laid back baby girl. Although you are fussy at times when not being held, you are generally happy. You have done great with letting people other then mommy and daddy hold you. (I really hope that is something that stays) One of my favorite things is when you are upset when someone else is holding you and how you calm down immediately when I pick you up. You already know your mommy and prefer me to other people.

When you were first born you looked a lot like your daddy and now you look like a perfect mixture between the two of us. You have you daddy's ears, eyes and feet as well as his "go with the flow" personality. You did a great job switching between nursing and bottles from day one in the hospital which gives mommy a break and allows daddy to feed you. Daddy feeding you has been such a great bonding experience. You also amazed us when you were the perfect angle (not crying at a well, and taking formula) the whole time mommy was in the hospital and recovery (you were 3 weeks old). We have already been through a lot as a family this past month and you have handled it wonderfully! We are so thankful to have you as our daughter.

You are such a tiny little thing! At your 1 month doctors appointment that doctor said  that your are a tiny feisty little baby. You only weighed 6.89lbs but had grown to 21.5 inches. Mommy and Daddy are now working very hard to get more meat on your bones. We spend a lot of time feeding you and are enjoying the special time to bond while you are staring into our eyes and eating. Although you are not sleeping through the night, most of the time we get a good 3-4hours stretch of sleep. You love to be held in the middle of the night and look at mommy and daddy as you fall asleep. As tiring as it is for us to be up with you so long rocking you to sleep, I know these times won't last forever and are treasuring them.  You are eating every 2.5-3 hours during the day and every 3-4 hours at night. You are still in newborn clothes, although they are fitting you more snug and are also in newbonr diapers. You are our tiny little girl and we thank God every day that you are in our life.

We love you so much and could not imagine our lives without you. Our family feels more complete with you apart of it and I can't remember what life was like without you. We would do anything to provide and care for you. We are treasuring the time we have now when you are this little and just learning to see the world around you and are also so excited for the future! You have recently started smiling at us and we can't wait to see more smiles as you grow. We love you!

First 2 weeks

Today (Friday the 28th) you are 2 weeks old. I meant to write a post about your first week outside the womb, but things got a little crazy taking care of you. Now that you are more on a schedule, I am able to tell you about your first two weeks at home, but more particularly your 2nd week outside of the womb.

After a few days in the hospital we were both able to come home. While we were in the hospital 2 of your aunts (Pamela and Kaleigh) came to visit. They were both so excited to hold you and get to be the first people outside of your parents to hold you. Your nana also came to the hospital to meet you. She wasn't planning on driving down to St. Louis until you were released to go home, but when she heard you were born she couldn't wait to come down. She packed the car and drove the 10 hours straight to the hospital. You got to meet your grandpa on your 2 week old birthday. He was unable to make it as soon as you were born because of work but came as soon as he could. He was so excited to meet you and hold you. You always stopped crying and calmed down as soon as he held you. I have a feeling you will have be a daddy and grandpa's girl.

Your daddy and I are so happy and thrilled to have you in our life. Even though you may keep us up all night and sleep all day we love you dearly. We have had so many great firsts with you these 2 weeks such as; your first bath, first car ride, first diaper change at home, your first doctors appointment and your first trip to someone's house. It is so exciting sharing all these first with you and we can't wait to share even more!

2 Weeks old

1 week old

Praise God for His Mercy!

Thank you all for your prayers and intercessions on our behalf. Amy, Alethea, and Jacob are all home and resting. I am sure a more detailed posting will come later, but for now prayers may be shifted from intercession to praise.

This afternoon Amy had successful surgery to help with the problem she was having. The last few days have taken quite alot out of us between 2 ER trips, a surgery, and way too much time in STL hospitals. Thank you all so much for your support, prayers, phone calls, and emails.

We already are setting up visits with family, friends, and helpers. If you would like to help, or contact us in any way, please email Jacob @ toman.jp@gmail.com.

Prayers Please!!

We are currently at the hospital as our little family grows and learns about life. Amy has had a few complications during her recovery from birthing and will shortly have a little bit of surgery to help her recover further. Please be in prayer for Amy as her body goes under this procedure, pray for Alethea that she would be able to rest and grow during this time, and pray for Jacob to be a loving support in this time.

We will update here as soon as we are able.

Thank you for your prayers,
Jacob and Amy