Bathtime!

Why do babies look so darn cute in the bath. I was trying out my new Canon 50D. I love my new camera. I can't wait to take it up to Oregon on our vacation. We're going to Brookings, Oregon the day after Christmas. I can't wait.

Funny Girl

After a night of Thanksgiving bliss, sedated by turkey and pumpkin pie, I think my little girl was being silly from her sugar high.

Little Eva

Wow, my sweet girl has grown so fast. I was looking at some older pictures of her, and came across this one. I think she was around 3 months.

Sugar Plum Princess?

After turning my house upside down about three times, the fairy wings were no where to be found.  She should of been the "Sugar Plum Fairy", but instead I called her the "Sugar Plum Princess".  We had a fun time visiting Jeff's grandmother, and then heading over to Jeff's parents house to pass out treats. 

O' Great Pumpkin

We had such a fun day visiting the pumpkin patch in town. Even though the weather was 80 degrees, it still made me feel like I lived in the country somewhere. I'm so ready for FALL! Being surrounded by pumpkins and hay was such a good feeling. She rode a horse, and petted a few animals. I love snapping pics of my cute girl. Happy Halloween!

Dear Friends and Family,

Our sincerest thanks to everyone on our journey towards our family and the process of adopting our beautiful daughter Eva. Your prayers, support, tears and love held us up and gave us strength each day. Looking back on the last
8 years of infertility, our beautiful foster son Jesse that went back to his grandfather, and the many other trials and tribulations, all of the struggle was worth this very moment in time as our beautiful daughter is now ours.
She's officially a "REED" today, and we couldn't be more happy and excited.
In a few of the pictures on the web you can get a little glimpse of what the day was like. The thing that struck us the most was when the judge said, "She now has all the rights as a natural born child."

The moment I stood on the platform to shake the judge's hand, the emotion came over me like a wave. A wave of relief, no one can take her away. A wave of peace, she's our daughter now and she'll know no different. And a wave of gratitude, thanking God for this beautiful gift.

We love you, thank you, and look forward to a long and beautiful life with our precious daughter, Eva Sophia Reed.


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Click this link to check out more pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ciccanti1/AdoptionDay#

All our love,

Mia, Jeff and Eva

From Adoption Day

Adoption day, here we come!

Yesterday I received the best call I could ask for.  After a very challenging day at work I decided to come home and take the baby for a long walk.  We bought her a jogging stroller with the money from the birthday.  It's awesome.  I love it.  Just as I was opening the front door, I heard the phone ring.  It was Jackie from the lawyer's office.  She told me that they had a court date.  I was expecting it to be sometime in November or December.  When she said October 7th, I started jumping up and down.  Eva started to clap, it was so cute.  

Eva's first Birthday!!!

My baby is 1!  We had such a fun party.  As you can see she totally went for the cake, no hesitation. She was eating so much of it, that I was scared she was going to make herself sick.  She wouldn't stop, until finally I had to take it away.  A girl after my own heart.  

All of our family attended and a few of our closest friends.  

Siblings and spawn!

This past weekend my family got together at the beach for a bonfire.  My sister was in town from Las Vegas with my niece Alyssa.   All the baby cousins were together for the first time. Alyssa is almost 2 and Ella will be 3 in August.  Although Alyssa is almost a year younger than Ella, she's about a head taller.  I think she is going to be tall like her Auntie Mia.

  I think it has been over a year since we've all been together as a family. The thing about family is that no matter how long it has been since the last visit you pick up right where you left off.  Eva is missing, because she was already asleep in my mom's arms.  

Adoption Papers signed

Last month we sat down with our social worker and got the first of the adoption papers signed.  The lawyer has now been hired, and we are only 3 months from it being completely official.  

Eva is getting ready to celebrate her first birthday in style. A backyard BBQ with family and a few close friends.  Here's the picture I sent on the invite.

The first "Big Day"

Well, Thursday we are in court for little miss Eva.  By the way, that's not her given name, that is the name we will give her when the adoption is final.  It's crazy how I feel a little nervous and uneasy, however, all that is before us has been ordained by God.  When the sweet little boy Jesse, that we were fostering, was taken from our home after 2 months, I never thought my heart would heal.  It was like a death.  We've now had Eva for 7 months, and I can't imagine life without her.  In my heart and soul she is my daughter.  

San Francisco

A few weeks back, Eva and I flew up to S.F. to see Jeff.  By the way, he only has 6 more weeks of the CYA Academy, and he will be home.  Yeah...I can't wait. Our visit with Jeff in the city was so fun.  We stayed at a beautiful hotel near Union Square.  Seeing little Eva on the trolley was such a joy.  She was interested in everything and everyone.  She made friends with all of the passengers, and I swear she said "Hi" to this cute Cambodian man.  

You can check out the pics on Picasa. 

The last day we went to Haight Ashbury, total hippie vibe.  Very cool!  We took a walk along this beautiful park nearby with incredible vistas of the city.  You can see it in Jeff's eyes what a proud daddy he is with his little girl

Milestones...

Wow!  Time flies.  I can't believe our little peanut is almost 8 months old.  People have always told me how fast kids grow up.  I'm truly enjoying her at every stage.  She's almost crawling.  She lifts herself up onto her knees, and pushes herself up with her hands.  It's just the movement she can't quite conquer yet.  Oh, and the girl can talk.  She gabs all day long, making noises and sounds.  Today she started doing "High 5" with me. It's hilarious.  She giggles every time.  

In two weeks we will be in court.  The parental rights will be terminated at this time.  There has been no contact from the birth parents or family members.  After the hearing on May 8th, we will begin the adoption paperwork. It takes 6 to 8 months for everything to become final.  Please keep us in your prayers.  

My grandfather

My dear, sweet Pop-pop passed away on March 15th, 2008. Here is a poem I wrote about him. The memorial will be held this weekend at my home in Long Beach.

A poem by Mia-

Pavarotti always blasting through the apartment corridor

Excitedly arriving feeling it in my core

Smells of garlic and chilies frying in the pan

Walks to the park, skipping and playing always hand in hand

Breakfasts at Denny’s, pancakes galore

Neapolitan Ice Cream one of many treats and more

Laying on his belly, squeezing me so tight

Friday night sleepovers, watching Lawrence Welk delight

Nuna busy in the kitchen cooking pasta, sauce and bread

Pop-pop watching baseball, or smoking a cigarette

Politics, Family and Work, passionate topics of his life

Conversations of the old days, a man with a complex side

235th Street, apartment number C

I’ll never forget you Pop-pop, your love will always be with me

5 months old!

Wow, time does fly! I can't believe that our sweet little girl is already 5 months. She's rolling over, blowing raspberries, making kissing sounds, and laughing outloud. We are having the best time with her. She's such a joy and we feel truly blessed.

Legally, the process is going smooth. May 8th the parental rights (birth parents' rights) will be terminated. At this point we will begin the adoption process which will take anywhere between 3-6 months.