Some Anika facts: Her name is Scandinavian, meaning “gracious and merciful”. Hers is spelled with one ‘n’ and pronounced like Veronica, without the ‘ver’ – just the ‘onica’. Her middle name is Ekis. Ekis is my paternal aunt, and while Tia (Aunt) Ekis is no longer with us, she remains very much alive in the energy and spirit of our Anika. Tia Ekis earned her name for being the 10th child and first girl born to my paternal grandparents – after 9 boys (my father, Jose, is the 9th boy). Ekis means ‘tenth’ or X in Roman numeral. While there are many definitions of what 10 symbolizes, here is a general one we like: The perfection of divine order.

Our new order is parenthood, and while it is divine, it is far from perfect! What is perfectly divine is our Little Miss Anika Ekis: Her smile is as bright as the sun and the moon and all the stars combined. Her laugh is contagious. Her pudginess seems to elicit the desire of many to “gobble her up”, and we do! She provides endless hours of entertainment. Her cuteness factor is off-the- charts, and while we didn’t know what to expect, we surely did not expect this!…She’s a dream, and we are delighted to share her with you – here she is in her first year!

First Four Months
Five to Ten Months
Ten to Twelve Months

Oh, and her birth photo (above) won a photo contest that depicted the 2010 theme for Attachment Parenting International ~ Attached At The Heart. It will grace their new 2010 magazine. The same photo also graces the cover of the Infant Massage USA 2010 Calendar. Fun! This photo is not a studio shot. Anika took this position all on her own. She had fallen asleep in my arms and on my lap. Doug captured the moment, and little did we know what he captured! It’s our very own “Photo of the Year”! A little update on us – the parents and the dog: Doug and I are stay-at-home parents. Doug works from home as an independent contractor in software development. I am Anika’s primary caregiver and Doug is primary caregiver to all of us. It’s a team effort – even Django helps by the fact that he has accepted Anika as a “member of the pack.” While he doesn’t pay much attention to her, Anika is fascinated with him. Django follows us everywhere we go in the house and hardly leaves Anika’s side – he is the nonchalant sentry. I am working a little these days. Anika is my focus.

We’re fortunate to be sharing our journey with you and hope to see you or hear from you soon – if we haven’t already! May your New Year be all what you hope and dream it to be. Enjoy, Cherish and Cheer!….There is so much to celebrate. Hugs & Love!

The Reese Family
~ Suzanne Pampita, Doug, Anika & Django (woof!)

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Our girl is a dream! ‘Anika’ is Scandinavian for “gracious and merciful”. ‘Ekis’ is the name of Suzanne’s beloved paternal aunt. Her memory and our love & admiration for her will live on in our Anika Ekis.

Doug “caught” Anika and secured her transition onto Suzanne’s chest where mother & daughter met for the first time.

Anika arrived with the help of some very special people who supported us through a safe labor & delivery: Our dear friend, Therese Ellsworth, who filled the role of Doula, our caring & dedicated obstetrician, Dr. Robert Lasting, our alternative care practitioner, Dr. Scott White, our friend Debby Takikawa and many others who made themselves available during the days before and after Anika’s arrival.

Anika is also welcomed by a caring village of family & friends from across the globe, including Grandmother “Nona” Dianne Reese, Grandfather W. Patrick Reese, Grandparents “Nanny” Alice & “Granpa” Jose Gleria, Great-Great Auntie Sylvette Daret and countless aunties, uncles & cousins!

The gracious support of this village continues today, and we look forward to raising Anika in this circle of love, wisdom & courage. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

~ Suzanne Pampita & Doug Reese

More photos

Suzanne with colleagues at an infant massage conference in Denver, CO – October, 2008