This morning it pained me to leave my wife and daughter alone as I left for a full-day of work. As I drove to my meeting this morning in Fort Wayne, I spent about the first 30-minutes thinking about how different life has become since the birth of our darling, Ella! I prayed for my wife to have the strength to do all of the “motherly things” and I prayed that my daughter would continue on her schedule of 3-hour feedings. When I called in to check on wife and baby I praised the Lord after hearing a cheerful wife on the other end of the conversation.

God answered prayer today by giving Jess and Ella an entire morning – alone – for the first time – and with HUGE success!

I even called my dad for some helpful tips on “how to leave your wife and daughter and go back to work.” He was a helpful source of wisdom on the phone this morning, too.

Ella continues to change before our eyes – everyday. That’s probably the most incredible part of this whole “parenting” thing – to think that I have been able to witness the first 15 days of another human being’s life – and to see her changing right in front of me – it’s just a bit overwhelming, really.

I have a new-found respect for my peers who are Fathers. I shook some of my buddy’s hands today at our meeting and told them – seriously – that I now respect them on a new level – for having made it as far as each of them has in the realm of Fatherhood.

My mom and sister both arrived safe and sound last evening and were able to spend some quality hours with Ella and us this afternoon. Today we went through another bag-full of Grandma-Sheets-collected clothing items for Ella. Ella is probably the only 15-day-old I know with more clothing than I have probably ever owned.

This evening “Aunt” Pam Sempel and her daughter, Jenna arrived from Marion to meet Ella face-to-face, finally. They joined Mom and Sherilyn for dinner.

Ella happened to take an evening nap just long-enough for Jess and Me to catch up over a plate of yummy-goodness provided by Renee “Momma” Sweeny. The nightly dinners that have been provided by our church people have been an absolute blessing!

Tomorrow is another full-day of work and Jess’ first check-up since the C-section at the Doctor’s office. We’ll get an update on her continued healing at that appointment.

This afternoon after Daddy returned from church, he and Ella settled in for a bit of a nap –

Mom and Sherilyn arrived this evening just after 9PM – they drove all day from South Carolina to be here for the week.

I go back to work starting tomorrow morning – with a morning meeting in Ft. Wayne to start the week off. I will attempt to juggle my daughter, work, and my family this week – your prayers, faithful stevansheets.com readers would be appreciated. Today we also said thank you and goodbye to Mom Garrett who so faithfully stood by us during this incredible first two-weeks with Ella! In just an hour she will be 2-weeks old – is that unbelievable?

The Tylenol PM is already running through my system, so I say goodnight here.

Today, Mom Garrett put on Ella’s headband with bow. Oh dear.

Today’s Ella’s first cook-out! Dad Garrett has already arrived from Bluffton and Aunt Jaymie & Uncle Rich are on their way from Marion.

The grill is already burning some charcoal, and the brauts and burgers are ready to be cooked!

Today will be a fun day!