It's a ...

boy!!!!! Yesterday the three of us went down to Prima Porta just north of Rome to have the 22 week ultrasound, and the doctor showed us some pretty definitive evidence that the soon-to-be younger sibling of Eli is in fact a boy. His words were, " E maschio... E molto maschio." Loosely translated that means, "He's a boy... very much a boy." As he said this, on the ultrasound monitor was the undeniable presence of an appendage that we can only assume was the newest jewel of this family. Needless to say we are all very excited even if Eli is still a little iffy on the whole idea. (One of the nuns at the clinic asked Eli, "Vuoi un fratellino?" I translated for him, " Do you want a little brother?" His answer was a swift, "No." The nuns response to that was, " E chiaro," or ,"He's very clear." Then again, if she had asked whether or not he wanted a million dollars, the answer and conviction would most likely have been the same. Such is his contrary nature these days.)

The clinic we went to for the ultrasound is the same place we are planning to have the baby in January (January 31 is the due date). It is a private clinic run by Catholic nuns. They were very welcoming, at least more so than your average health care worker. The place gets good recs from a person we know here in Viterbo and our O.B.Gyn., a french woman who speaks English and works out of an office on the Aventine in Rome. I'd be lying if I said all of the international intrigue of this whole ordeal isn't an added bonus. It's sort of like "Ozzie and Harriet" meets James Bond...at least to me. Anyway, we are very glad the the baby and mother are healthy and happy, and we are also glad to have nailed down all of the necessary infrastructure to have this baby boy here in Italy.

Now the name game begins. We are in the very preliminary stages/negotiations. It's time to dredge up all of those ridiculous attachments to various names (My favorite is Caroline's connection of the name Virgil to the chimp in Mathew Broderick's acting tour de force, "Project X."). I have my own absurd name associations that shall remain, well, nameless at this point. Suffice it to say that we are happy to have 4 plus months to deal with this aspect of Mr. Little Man #2.

All else is well here in Viterbo. School was crazy last week with all sorts of drama, none of which I can detail here unfortunately. All is well now, and my classes seem to be on track. I am teaching an extra section this year which is making my days a bit busier, but I am enjoying each one of the classes. Eli is more or less settled into his asilo nido (or "nursery asylum", a.k.a preschool). He is having a good time with the bambini in his class, and Caroline reports that the days of tearful goodbyes are over. He eats lunch there with the other kids, usually a three course affair. I don't how he (and the rest of us) are going to get over the gastronomy of this place. Caroline is going to start an art class in Rome this next week, and she has taken on several conversation partners here in Viterbo. Our lives here have taken on more of a routine than they did last year, and for this we are all thankful. Next week we are off to Perugia and other points in Umbria for the school's orientation trip. We will not return to Viterbo with the group, however, because we are going to spend the weekend in Tuscany in search of zuppa di funghi porcini (which are in season now) and attending the semi-annual antique photography open-air market in Arezzo.

That's it for now. We'll post again soon. Drop a line or log on skype if you get the chance. Until soon,

Sam

Second year, many firsts.

We arrived only two days prior to the students this year so we hit the ground running. We arrived on Thursday and spent the weekend fighting jet lag. Sam was back to work on Friday with meetings and placement tests etc.

Monday was also Eli's first day at the asilo nido (Italian pre-school). It was a rough week. Much confusion and many tears were involved. By the end of the week Eli would cry if I even mentioned the word "kids". (I mentioned kids often because I thought would be a selling point for the whole experience, "There'll be lots of kids there....") Doh! By the end of the week though, there was less emotion behind the tears and I think (I hope) he was beginning to settle in. We're gradually working our way up to half days, 9 to 1pm, so I can take an Italian class in the mornings. I'm trying to keep a stiff upper lip, but any and all supportive messages would be much appreciated ;-)

Speaking of Italian class, I attended my first on Friday. I'm taking the class with the high school students at Sam's school. They're definitely a very professional bunch. I, however, have forgotten what it's like to hold a pencil. I have to spend some extra hours this next week getting my act together.

We also interviewed our first Italian ObGyn on Friday. Actually, she's French and speaks English which is a plus. In fact we love her. She doesn't have patience for Italian superstition nonsense, of which there is much surrounding pregnancy and birth. It'd be very Brangelina: French doctor, the birth in Rome... But we have to work out the insurance first. She might be off limits to us. Next up is an Italian doctor in Viterbo. It's rumored that they don't allow drugs during the birthing process at the hospital in Viterbo (example A of provincial beliefs). If that's true, it's going to be either Rome or Umbria! We'll keep you posted.

Even with all that going on, we managed to fit in the Santa Rosa festival on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. We also went to Orte last night to take part in a huge feast celebrating their patron saint. The food was fabulous. Both events hold up in our second year in attendance. All in all, a good start.

Summer Highlights

Here are a few pictures of the highlights from our Summer spent stateside.

PS. One definite highlight to add to the list: Caroline is preggers again! The baby is due at the end of January. We're going to have an Italiano bambino!

The Savages visit more Savages in Phoenix

Above: Eli and Papa on Big Cheese. "Eli, do you love it?" "Love it!"

Below: Sam and Eli go for a ride in the roping arena as well.

Above: Eli and Big Papa read and play together.

Below: Eli splashes around at the water park at the Phoenix Zoo
(which was already scorching by 10am that morning)

Above: Eli explores at the Children's Museum

(highly recommended if you happen to be going to Phoenix)

Below: A little afternoon reading in Mimi's new kitchen

Cousin Cody's Birthday Party

Above: Auntie Debbie made a fabulous light saber cake out of Twinkies and Ho-Hos

Below: The cake was a huge hit with Eli and cousin Lexi

Eli Turns Two!

Above: Caroline made a truck cake (yes, the whole thing is edible!)
Below: The entire Savage family came to Walnut Creek to celebrate

Above & Below: We had a great time catching up with old friends and their new additions.

Stephanie & John get married!

Above: We were so lucky to be able to attend Stephanie and Jon's wedding in Napa. The occasion was definitely worth the wait!


The Savages' East Coast tour

Our tour included NYC, Mahopac, Long Beach, Fire Island, Skaneateles, and Deerfield, MA. With all that travel we didn't have time for much picture taking, but here are a few from the gorgeous days we spent in Fire Island. Eli and Ceci hit it off with flying colors.