We will forever be in debt to the amazing group of angels who live and work at Horizon House in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia who cared for and loved our little Giovanni until we arrived to take him to his new forever home! So we never forget these wonderful individuals here are their names....
Administrative Staff
Dr. Tsegaye (President)
Sister Tirhas (Head Nurse/Coordinator)
Mulat (Translator/Driver/Coordinator)
Leah (House Manager)
Ato Fitsum (Vice President)
Sister Askale (not there when we were there)
Nannies (HH2)
Gidey
Yauesh
Abebech
Abeba
Nannies (HH1)
Mulu
Amarech
Bejunesh
Menetewabe
Alsa
Guards
Wosen
Wongel
Alemu
Eshetu
Yesake
Cooks & Kitchen Staff
Rebka
Eneye
Senedu
Mekedes
Shaskey
Alem
Taxi Driver
Yohannes
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Eyes to my soul...
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"Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own. Never forget, not for a minute, you weren't born under my heart, but in it."
For as long as I can remember...
Eyes to my soul...
My entire life - well, at least for as long as I can remember - I have been preparing myself for motherhood...
Pages
Message to Giovanni
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"Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own. Never forget, not for a minute, you weren't born under my heart, but in it."
Giovanni's "Lingo"
- "Aeroplane" = Airplane
- "Bah-Bi-Bee-Boo" = Thy Kingdom Come
- "Berry" = Very
- "Cinnamon-ker" = Cement Mixer
- "Coo-lie" ("lie" rhymns with cry) = Cry
- "Elli-gator" = Elevator
- "Sec-ca-leck" = Second (as in "one sec-ca-leck")
Giovanni's "Firsts"
- June 6, 2010 - First Carriage Ride (Charleston, SC)
- June 5, 2010 - First Italian Ice (Charleston, SC)
- May 23, 2010 - First Jet Ski Ride (Uncle Lou)
- May 16, 2010 - First Baby Shower
- May 8, 2010 - First Subway Ride (Train #6)
- May 8, 2010 - First New York Hot Dog
- May 8, 2010 - First Broadway Show, "Mary Poppins"!
- March 30, 2010 - Lost His First Tooth!
- March 28, 2010 - First Candy
- March 29, 2010 - First Baseball Game
- March 24, 2010 - First Tennis Tournament! (Sony-Ericsson, Key Biscayne, Florida)
- March 11, 2010 - First Snow Angel & First Icicle Lick! (Breezy Hill Farm)
- March 10, 2010 - First Campfire & First Toasted Marshmallow! (Breezy Hill Farm) (Loved the campfire much more than the marshmallow!)
- March 8, 2010 - First Downhill Skiing (Stowe)!
- March 7, 2010 - First 4-Wheeler Ride (Uncle Ian driving) (Breezy Hill Farm)
- March 3, 2010 - First Hot Tub (Naples, FL at Aunt Bethany & Uncle Caleb's)!
- March 2, 2010 - Made First Apple Pie with his Nana! (He liked the experience much better than the actual pie!)
- February 25, 2010 - First Sleepover with cousins (at Aunt Whitney's - no Mum or Dad!)
- February 21, 2010 - First Swim (Lakebridge Pool, Bradenton, FL)
- February 2, 2010 - First Day of School (St. Stephen's)
- December 26, 2009 - First Ice Skate, First Sledding, First Snowmobile Ride! (Breezy Hill Farm)
- December 25, 2009 - First Christmas with his Forever Family (Breezy Hill Farm)!
- December 24, 2009 - First Christmas Eve Service & First Christmas Eve Celebration at Nana & Poppa's!
- December 23, 2009 - First Visit to Nana & Poppa's House (Derby Line, Vermont)!
- December 22, 2009 - First Time in Vermont and First Time at Breezy Hill Farm!!
- December 21, 2009 - First Bollettieri Christmas (Bradenton, FL)
- December 4, 2009 - First Airplane Ride (Ethiopia to Dubai)
- November 29, 2009 - First Meeting of His Mum and Dad!
Giovanni's Travel Log
- London - Wimbledon - June 18-25, 2010
- Vermont - Summer Vacation - June 10, 2010
- Charleston, SC - Gullan Wedding - June 4-6, 2010
- New York City, NY - Robin Hood Weekend - May 7-11, 2010
- Nashville, TN - Julie Kroenig's wedding - April 10, 2010
- Key Biscayne, FL - "Sony-Ericsson Tennis Tournament" - March 22, 2010
- Stowe, VT - "Skiing" - March 6, 2010
- Miami, FL - "Uncle Jimmy & Aunt Vicky's" - February 5, 2010
- Derby Line, VT - "Nana & Poppa's" - December 23, 2009
- Craftsbury, VT - "Breezy Hill Farm" - December 22, 2009
- Florida - December 8, 2009
- Dubai - December 4, 2009 to December 8, 2009
Blog Archive
The "God Squad"
- When it came to choosing Godparents for Giovanni, it was my responsibility to choose his "Fairy" Godmother and I knew exactly who the perfect person was...my sister, Tami.
- When I asked Nick to choose "THE" Godfather, he came back with a list of SIX people who he trusts completely and who mean the world to him that he believes will watch out and be there for Giovanni his entire life! Thus was the creation of the "God Squad"!
- "Fairy Godmother" ~ Aunt Tami
- "Godfather" ~ Uncle Giacomo
- "Godfather" ~ Uncle John
- "Godfather" ~ Uncle Mark
- "Godfather" ~ Uncle Richie
- "Godfather" ~ Uncle Steve
- "Godmimo" ~ Aunt Wendy
The Meanings of His Names
Giovanni - "God is gracious". In ancient time the name was given to children born to late-in-life parents.
Pietro - "Stone, cliff". One of the more diffuse Christine names due to the worship of St. Peter, prince of the disciples.
In keeping with the Italian tradition of naming the second son after the mother's father, we chose the name Giovanni Pietro. My father's name is Peter Jon. In Italian it is more common to say "John Peter", or Giovanni Pietro. So, our little Giovanni Pietro is named after a very special man indeed...his very favorite Poppa!
