Run with God

Answering the pager (or why Caitlyn ended up in Eric's MSG this wknd)

Let me walk you through the experience that was my "today".

For starters, I was "supposed" to be at CFPB all day today, but a string of phone calls had me campus hopping, so by the time I made it back to CFPB 12:30 service, I had actually seen four services in 24 hours...

Amy ran ProPresenter/IMAG for the 10:30am service, and I asked her to cover the 12:30pm service. She checked on Caitlyn inbetween services in the nursery. Caitlyn was sleeping and fine, so Amy started the 12:30 service for me.

At the beginning of Eric's message, I was upstairs in the control room, working on a couple other things while sitting next to Amy when it happened... the nursery pager rang... something's wrong with Caitlyn...

Amy and I stare at each other. She starts to go to the nursery to check on Caitlyn. I tell her to stay since she was familiar with the message. I'll go check on Caitlyn.

I walked into the nursery, and Caitlyn was wailing her head off. The nursery worker gives her to me. I try to calm her down inside, but it's not working. I think "hey, I'll go sit in the Infant Room in the worship center and keep tabs on the service."

Well, the Infant Room was packed, so I decided to stand out in the lobby with Caitlyn. I was sitting in a chair, watching the message on TV, when I hear Eric say something unusual: "I'm sorry. I'm very ADD, and there's something over here making a noise."

I jump up, realizing that there was a problem onstage, and try to find someone to take this baby so I can take care of the problem onstage... long story short, Caitlyn and I ended up walking the aisle towards Eric, who was flipping switches on a bass amp. While walking up there I'm trying to think through how I am going to fix a noisy bass amp while holding my four month old daughter...

By the time we got to the front of the stage, he had resolved the issue. He saw me, and was taken back by the site of me having my daughter in the service, standing at the front of the stage (mental note Jeff: don't have a burp cloth draped over your shoulder). Eric cracks some joke about how his daughter, Eden, is better looking than Caitlyn (which we all know is a lie), and he goes back into his message.

After the service I told the camera guys that next time this happens, work me in the shot. If I'm going to be in front of the worship center, I want myBabyGirl to be on the screens.

So, you ask, what's Amy up to these days?

My wife is an enabler... she says to me the other day "Jeff, I want an iPhone app that will help me track how long Caitlyn's sleeping..." I go online and find a nice little app called "Baby Log", which allows Amy to track a number of different things. Sleeping, Diapers, Feedings... good stuff.

So check it. This is what my wife was up to Friday night... Did I mention I appreciate her? She is doing a phenomenal job! Amy, thank you for everything that you do!

And to wrap up a completely sappy, sentimental blog post, I'm attaching a photo of Caitlyn having a heart to heart conversation with "Pengi the Penguin" (my favorite toy, of course).

I missed an inch

I may be a bad parent, you tell me.

A week ago at the doctor's appt, myBabyGirl weighed 7lbs, 1 oz and was 19.5" long.

Today she had another doctor appt. She's 8lbs, 1 oz and was 20.5" long.

In one week, she grew an inch. At this rate, she'll be All-Star center for the WNBA before she's out of diapers.

Here's my problem. I stopped taking pictures last week (I got too busy again)... so I don't have any documented photos of myBabyGirl when she was exactly 20"...

I'm a failure, what can I say?

Nah, I'm probably kidding. I just wanted another excuse to post a pic of myBabyGirl without making it look like my blog is becoming a "Caitlyn blog"...

Alright, enough blogging. Time to go spend some quality Daddy/Daughter time before she goes night night.

"Vacation" with myBabyGirls

Well, I'm going back to work Tuesday (a day earlier than I was anticipating). This past week by far was the best "vacation" I've ever had! It was great spending time with myBabyGirls (Amy + Caitlyn). While I don't want to turn RUNwithGOD.com into a "Caitlyn" blog, I did want to bring some closure... especially to those following me in the 2.0 world...

God, thank you.

Caitlyn is adorable. You know how some babies look like, well, aliens? Yeah, not my kid! She's healthy, great complexion, has a great hairline, and can already count to 10 (okay, so the counting is a stretch)!

Amy is in great health! She has recovered from birth and adapted to the new role of motherhood. She is doing phenomenally well! I have known Amy for 15 years, and I have seen a side of her this past week that I have NEVER seen before. I'm in awe of my wife.

Together, we've collectively gotten like 10 hrs of sleep since Wednesday. Caitlyn sleeps the day away and stays up all night. It's been a blast... We've done our first songs, first diaper changes, first feedings, first photo op, first doctor visit, first car ride... and now we get back to our "normal" lives...

To the hundreds of people that have visited, called, emailed, commented, facebook'd, txt'd, or twitter'd... thank you. Your support, your prayers, and your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

If you need a Caitlyn fix, check out my facebook photo album.

Caitlyn: Insert Caption and Win...

We had so much fun with "Guess my Baby's Release Date" Competition..." I think we should do it again...

This is a photo of my BEAUTIFUL daughter Caitlyn, during one of her rare moods.

Email, Facebook, Comment and/or Twitter Captions... Best caption wins a $40 Living Word Giftcard...

Caitlyn, World

7lbs, 1oz
19 inches
Healthy

God, seriously, thank you.

How do you feel about today?

Seriously, have no idea how my wife is doing this.

Day started with a doctor spot. We were hoping for a Friday induce date.

Here's the conversation:

Doctor: So when do you want to have this baby?
Jeff: Friday would be great.
Amy: Or Thursday.
Doctor: Let me check the schedule.

--3 min later--
Doctor: Thursday isn't going to happen. How do you feel about today?

She is a beast at handling contractions. And now, on the eve of myBabyGirl being born, I don't think I've ever loved her more.

And yes, I did totally write this post inbetween contractions while my wife slept. Welcome to World 2.0

Fatherhood Delayed

"No, Caitlyn's not here yet." If I had a dime for every time I've said that this week...

Caitlyn is further proving that she's in control by slowing the process down. That's the Reed motto... Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait.

Amy's doing incredibly well (don't you think she looks great). Caitlyn's room is completely prepared. She has more clothes than she will ever wear. She has more toys than she'll ever play with. She has more diapers than she'll ever crap in (okay, that's an over-exaggeration).

We're set and ready to do this thing... except we got no kid. And so we wait...

Did you enter in the RUNwithGOD online pool? See if you're still in the game!

Early predictions

Conversation 9/3 9:40pm

Jeff: so this baby is coming in the next 24 hours
Nurse: definitely. Baby is coming tomorrow.

UPDATE: 9/5 10:16am
yeah, the Nurse was wrong. Caitlyn still TBA

Guess myBaby's "Release Date" and win...

A CF Campus Pastor (which one I will not say) asked me if anyone was putting together a "pool" for when my daughter, Caitlyn, will be born. The answer then was "no."

That was then.

Here's the deal. Caitlyn can come at ANY TIME. Her due date is September 27th, and the doctor will induce on October 4 if she's not here by October 4th. So that's 34 days. Comment or email me which day you want and I'll put you down for that date. First one to request the date gets the date. You can only enter once. First come, first served.

What will it cost to play? Nothing. Completely on the house. My pleasure. What will you win? I'll give the winner a $100 giftcard to The Living Word or C28 (winner's choice).

So, let me know what dates you want. Comment or email me. I'll post on the list below.

We are completely booked! Thanks to everyone for participating. Believe me, if you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Blog... you'll know when Caitlyn arrives.

CONGRATS TO KELLY MOORE, WINNER OF THE GUESS myBaby's Release Date Competition! Kelly, I'll get you your giftcard ASAP!

Monday, September 1 - John F.
Tuesday, September 2 - Jacqueline C. Tiffany D.
Wednesday, September 3 - Sharon S.
Thursday, September 4 - Jeff R.
Friday, September 5 - Nancy S.
Saturday, September 6 - Jon S.
Sunday, September 7 - Linda R.

Monday, September 8 - Deanna S.
Tuesday, September 9 - Tami P., Charlie B.
Wednesday, September 10 - Bethany B.
Thursday, September 11 - John R.
Friday, September 12 - Amy R.
Saturday, September 13 - Eddy P., Wesley C., Denise S.
Sunday, September 14 - Janis R. , Wesley C.

Monday, September 15 - Wenette C.
Tuesday, September 16 - Eric G.
Wednesday, September 17 - Denise S. Pat I.
Thursday, September 18 - Caitlin B.
Friday, September 19 - Cathy T.
Saturday, September 20 - John C.
Sunday, September 21 - Charlie B., Wesley C.

Monday, September 22 - Lori S.
Tuesday, September 23 - Kevin T.
Wednesday, September 24 - Kelly M.
Thursday, September 25 - Z$
Friday, September 26 - Ken C.
Saturday, September 27 - Chris R.
Sunday, September 28 - Jorriss

Monday, September 29 - Stacey P.
Tuesday, September 30 - Grete S.
Wednesday, October 1 - Wesley C.
Thursday, October 2 - Brandon H. Dan C., Jeff B., Steven K.
Friday, October 3 - Berchman P.
Saturday, October 4 - Krissy W.

Sunday, October 5 - Jeff B.
Monday, October 6 - Steven K.
Tuesday, October 7 - Pat I.

Saturday, October 11 - JR L. (JR's Bday)