My Best Friend

Eva loves dogs. She yells at the top of her lungs every time she see a little doggie. She says, "hi doggie", over and over again. She has to say hi to Aengus every day.

Eva giving us kisses

I just purchased a "Flip Video" camcorder for work and wanted to check it out before giving it to my boss. It's so easy to use and it was only $99. It's awesome.

Eva giving us kisses from Mia Reed on Vimeo.

Can I play too?

Jeff as many of you know is what I like to call a "Renaissance Man".  He has an intense passion for music, recording, creating, and playing.  He has quite the large, what I like to call, old man pipe collection.  He recently took up crafting his own smoking pipes.  His most recent obsession has been the Uilleann Irish Bag pipes. The link will take you to his teacher's website where you can hear some beautiful Irish music played on the Uilleann pipes.  Below is Eva's first look at his newly arrived handcrafted Uilleann Pipe Chanter.  He waited two and half years for this pipe maker to craft him this beautiful chanter.  I don't think Jeff has ever been more excited about something.  He has a long way to go in terms of learning how to play the instrument, but he's determined and so talented in music I'm sure he'll pick it up quickly.

The second picture you can see that Eva is playing with Daddy's drill.  We recently purchased a shed, and she loves to go in there when daddy is working away.  I think she will soon be his little helper and maybe a "Renaissance Lady" herself.  

Pride and Poop

I've often thought about those moments when I would be most proud of my daughter.  Most parents would be proud of their daughter's first day of school, graduation from college, her wedding day, and her first child.  I never thought that my baby's first poop would make me jump up and down with glee.  The pure joy that my daughter pooped and peed in her toilet was amazing.  Normally with a dirty diaper you just want to get the job done.  But, at the moment when my daughter did her first #2, I had to take it in for a moment. We did a hi-5 as if we we'd just finished a big project.  Well in an 18 month olds life, it was huge.  So today, I'm a proud mom!  

Eva"ease"

Eva turned 18 months on the 1st. I thought I would post some of the things she is saying in her very own Eva'ease'.

"Dada"-Daddy
"Doddy"-Doggie
"Dockie"-Ducky
"Hi"-Hi
"Byeee"-Bye
"Uh-huh"-Anytime you ask her a question like "Do you want to go to the park? 'Uh-hu'"
"tetee"-Kitty
"Didi"-Titi (Our daycare lady's daughter's nickname"
"Doey"-Zoey (little baby at daycare)
"Ayan"- Ryan (friend at daycare)
"Momma"-only when she's really upset and wants me
"tsss"- a sound she uses when pointing to something that she wants

Baby signs she knows:

More
Want more
all done
Blanket
Baby
Mommy
Play (just started doing this one)
Taps top of head if she wants your sunglasses or hat

She loves books. She plays with her books, looking at the pictures and pointing more than anything else. She loves to play outside and walk, and walk and walk. She's very independant and likes to roam free. I love seeing her grow and develop.

She is soooo affectionate. She gives so many kisses and hugs. She's my sweet pea and I love her.

A day at the park

We had the best time Saturday as a family. I couldn't imagine a better Valentine's day. We spent the morning with our good friends Jen, Andy and Lance. After breakfast we let the kids run around the park to get them good and worn out for a nap. Jeff made us dinner that night. Jeff gave Eva a Valentine's Card. I thought it was sweet. He read it to her, and then let her look at the pictures. These are all sweet memories I'll cherish.

Angelina Jolie SNL Sketch! Funny :)

My Pink Shirt

This was one of those every day moments where Eva was looking so grown up. I love her so much.

Girl's Night Out with Eva!

Last night I got to see my good friends from Howard Hartry Inc. Teresa's home overlooks Catalina Island. It was such an amazing view. I've known these women for many years, and it's like old times talking about every subject imaginable.

Eva fought going down at Teresa's house for two hours, and I finally ended up leaving around 8:00. Putting her down in her pack n'play at a new house freaks her out a little. It's so wierd. But, of course the minute I put her to bed at home she went right to sleep.

Although I love my child, next time I'm leaving her home with Daddy so I can relax. Sometimes you just need a night away.

Sunset View

Kym, Sara, Eva, Teresa, and Carrie

My Peanut

Our Oregon Vacation

More Oregon Pictures

A 15 hour drive, with a 15 month old, stopping only a few times was better than expected.  I honestly thought we would stop half way, but once we passed San Francisco around 12:00 p.m., Jeff looked at me and said "Let's go all the way."  The baby had done incredible, sleeping a lot, playing with her toys, and looking at books.  By the time we had gotten to Eureka, we were still about 2 1/2 hours from Brookings.  We stopped for dinner, and as soon as Eva saw that car seat again she had a fit.  Thankfully, sitting in the back, entertaining her helped come her down and we were on our way.  

We made it.  It was great to get away.  Different smells, sights, sounds, and stimuli.  The roar of the ocean, the pounding rain and wind at night was just what we needed.  Although, traveling with a toddler is definitely not what you call a relaxing vacation, it was wonderful to be together as a family.

The highlight of our trip was a private train ride up in Deadwood, Oregon.  Jeff found this man on the internet that had built his own train track, 1.5 miles of track, along his 41 acre property.  He invited us to see his train, and we went.  It was another 3 hour drive north up the coast, but well worth it.  Check out my pictures in my picasa web album to see what we experienced.  I felt like a little kid riding along what almost felt surreal.  His property was so beautifully landscaped with trees, flowers, natural ponds and rivers.  Maples, alders and pines surrounded his property.  

Much of our time was spent in Brookings.  Unfortunately we could not find one decent Mexican restaurant. Maybe I shouldn't expect much from a town of 6,000.

The redwoods were absolutely gorgeous.  I've been there several times, and each time I'm in awe at God's creation.  The day we took a trip south, it was clear, the light was filtering through the trees just right, and the air crisp.  We couldn't have asked for more from our little getaway.

Tis the Season!

Noah and Merrisa snuggling on Christmas day.

I had to get in my Christmas kiss.

Ahma, Papa, Eva and Me

A gift from Grandpa and Grandma Reed.  I love the chef's hat and apron.  It adds that special touch, don't you think?

She looked so cute in that jacket.  I had to take some snaps. Although Eva was with us last year, we had much to celebrate this year with the adoption being final.  For me and my family we felt a sadness and emptiness with the loss of both my grandparents in 2008.  My Nuna made everything wonderful and magical at Christmas time. It's time to create new memories and pass down those loving traditions that she instilled in all of us.  We had a wonderful time visiting with Jeff's family and my family.  

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.