Yikes.
The first night as “parents in our own home” was completely different than I ever would’ve expected.

It’s everyone else’s child that causes the “up-all-night” nights, right?

Wrong.

I’m pretty sure I was able to gather about 3 or 4 10-minute naps in between the excruciating screams of a child that screams like I heard last night SHOULD NOT be possible.

Jess, on the other hand didn’t get ANY sleep last night. None whatsoever.

At 5AM, she came out to me (I moved to the couch) and said, “should I call my mom?”

I literally jumped up and said, “YES!”

Mom Garrett is now here and is providing the much-needed input and babysitting that these two “kids with a kid” need today.

My parents also arrived late last night and did all the great granparent-like reactions to our newborn daughter. They are in love!

We’re on our way to the hospital this afternoon to chat with the “lactation consultant”. Ella has decided that she’s hungry but she doesn’t want mommy’s milk right now!

Pray for these “kids with a kid”, would ya?! This is a new experience that’s absolutely making us “grown up”!

She’s been with us for a little more than 36-hours and already we’ve learned so much.

The emotional-rush of “realizing” the birth of your first daughter is something I am still at grips with grasping. This morning, a flood of emotion hit me and I became physically ill and Jess sent me home to get some non-hospital-fake-bed rest. My wife, who just gave birth to our daughter is STILL taking care of me in her way!

Thank you God for my wife and daughter.

I’m on my way back to the hospital this afternoon after some much needed and wife-directed “home-bed” rest. I will return to the diaper-changing, daughter-calming, and wife-helping that I have already enjoyed!

Ella has finally worn off of the “I’m not going to cry when I’m hungry” phase and has quickly learned how to use her lungs and vocal chords to their fullest. She is an amazing creation!

To all of the well-wishers via comments here at stevansheets.com – THANKS! It has been good to read the comments again and again (and again!), though I have yet to be able to print off the posts and comments for Jess as our printer is like most American-family’s printers – WITHOUT INK!

We have had so many great visits over the last 36-hours and we thank each of you for your prayers and support (and girlie-clothing!) Ella also sends her heartfelt cry of approval to the support her Mommy and Daddy are receiving from those who love them.

Looks like we may be coming home sometime tomorrow (Wednesday) if all goes as planned today. Jess begins eating “real” (though still, “hospital”) food today. She also needs to get up and walk for a bit. I will be there for those events – maybe even chew up her food for her like a mother bird does for her babies. Okay, no that won’t be happening, but it just flowed from my fingers – so I had to write it. Remember, I’m a bit delusional this afternoon…

“My daughter.”

Incredible words.

“My daughter” spoken from a guy who if he wasn’t in a labor room, there’s a good chance he could be outside blowing something up or burning something down.

I now have a daughter and a brand-new responsibility as a God-fearing parent of a beautiful (the MOST beautiful, by the way) baby girl – Ella Marie.

Today was QUITE the day. Of course EVERYONE had to come and visit Mom, Dad, and Ella. We did take some time this afternoon for “family time” where it was just the three of us bonding (or “napping” as I like to call it!)

We are ALL very exhausted from the tremendous event that has taken place – and we are PRAISING THE LORD for his miraculous hand. This truly is the most incredible thing I have ever witnessed in my life.

More photos are now available here.

I’ll whet your appetite:

to this point, I have personally changed 5 diapers BY MYSELF!