Difference of a Year

       

One year ago today, I received the referral of my son. Not really. I saw a 16-month old (estimated) boy on the Waiting Children’s list and called about him. Twenty minutes later, I had info and a picture.

In that time, there have been quite a few changes. Some changes are physical and superficial, some are much more impactful.

• He is now 18 pounds heavier and 6 inches taller.
• His forehead gash is gone, replaced by several chicken pox scars that have yet to fade.
• His hair was thin and quite straight and is now long and curly, except for the parts his older brother trimmed for him.
• He wasn’t standing unsupported, but now he runs, climbs, jumps and generally terrifies me with his daredevil personality.
• He screamed at the drop of a hat to get his way. Now that he can communicate, his screaming is much rarer.
• He used to eat until he couldn’t see food anymore. Now, he eats until he’s full, until something more interesting comes along or his brother gets up from the table.
• He was terrified alone in a room. Now, he still does not like to be left in a room by himself, but he willingly goes to other rooms and will play solo.

Some things are still the same.

• He smiles all the time.
• He is a big charmer (or that could also be “manipulator” depending on what kind of mood I’m in at the time).
• He needs to be the center of attention and is jealous of me giving affection to others.
• He wants everything that somebody else has.
• He can’t fall asleep by himself.
• He lives in a home with people that adore him.

Some people state that they “can’t remember how life was before” their child came to be with them. I can.

• The house was quieter.
• The house was cleaner.
• There was less laundry.
• It was much faster to get ready in the morning.
• It was less effort to drop off/pick up at daycare.
• It was easier to have a night out.
• There were fewer loud fights.
• The cat was not afraid of short people.
• There were less snotty noses and poopy pants.
• Life was much more boring for my older son.
• The bathtub floor was less wet on bath night.
• We had to rent a neighbor kid to have a fun campout in the living room.
• Nobody followed and emulated my older son.
• There were less cookie crumb trails from the snack cupboard to the living room.
• There was much more space in my bed on Sunday mornings.
• There were fewer suffocating hugs.
• There were fewer squeals of laughter.
• There were less slobbery kisses.
• And, there was a lot of unallocated love just waiting to be used up.

Braids

I had braids put in my hair before we made a trip to Hosanna.  I think it would’ve looked a lot better if I’d have had those small black rubber bands instead of the extra thick yellow one you see.

The braids were quite nice for keeping my hair from whipping around as we drove with the windows down.  Of course, since the road was not paved all the way, my hair was coated in a nice even layer of dust by the time we arrived in Hosanna.  So, regretably, I removed the braids and flushed 1.8 lbs of Ethiopian soil from my hair.  I did contemplate just rinsing and leaving the braids in, but the knots in the back of my head made sleep quite uncomfortable.

I got my braids done for free, but you can go to a salon and have it done for only a couple dollars (if that). 

Nicknames

Some nicknames seem to be pretty common in Ethiopia.

For girls, these are some nicknames:

• MEE-mee (Mimi)
• MEE-too (Meetu)
• Eh-moo-YAY (Emuye)
• MEE-tah (Mita)
• Mah-MEET (Mamit)

For boys,

• Mah-MOOSH (Mamush)
• Ah-BOOSH (Abush)
• Ah-boo-YAY (Abuye)

Also, modifications can be made to given names.  Adding ish or sh on the end of the first part of the name indicates closeness or love.  For example,

• Birtukan becomes Birtush
• Tsintayo becomes Tsintish
• Tesfaye becomes Tesfesh
• Abraham becomes Abresh

You can also add “ye”or “uye” to the end of the first part of the name to indicate my.  For example,

• Temesgen becomes Temuye
• Bizunesh becomes Bizuye
• Tesfanesh becomes Tesfuye
• Denbelo becomes Denbuye
• Minteamir becomes Mintaye
• Tekle becomes Tekleye

You can add u (pronounced oo) to the end of the first part of the name to endear the person to you.

• Bamlak becomes Bamlu
• Tsege becomes Tsegu
• Tinsae becomes Tinsu
• Zernesh becomes Zeru
• Eskedar becomes Esku
• Mitike becomes Mitu
• Tariku becomes Taru

And, some are just the first part of the name (or adding a “ey” or “ay” sound on the end) similar to what we do to American names.

• Sisay becomes Sis
• Biniam becomes Bini
• Asnakech becomes Asnee
• Mengestu becomes Mengay
• Tsehayenesh becomes Tsehaye
• Hiwot becomes Hiwotay
• Meseret becomes Messy

The names given are just some examples.  Some names have more than one common nickname.

• Addis can be Addu or Addisiye.
• Mekdes can be Mekedu, Mekediye or Mekedish.
• Muluken can be Mulu, Muluye, Mulay or Mulish