For Informational Purposes Ony

As you might recall from a prior posting, Graisyn was not acting like the Grai we love and enjoy. Careful observation informed us that she was acting up because she was tired. Apparently, without her pacifier, Graisyn was not sleeping well. This also meant we were not sleeping well. Cranky child, cranky parents! She now has the pacifier back, for sleeping only, and we are all sleeping better.



Her attitude and cleverness continues to impress. This morning I asked her if she slept well and she told me that she had a dream. She would not discuss anything else because she was so focused on this dream. I was about to tell her about a nightmare I had about a dead girl. It went something like this, "well, I had a dream too. It was about this little girl. . . . named Graisyn, who was very well behaved, always listened to her mother and did what she was told. She did not give her father a hard time." Her retort, "I had a dream about a boy. A big boy, named Joseph. He was not grumpy, didn't count to three, and . . . ." She then began to repeat "I had a dream", so I interrupted her and had her recite Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous speech. It did not have the same impact coming from a three year old white girl.





(This photo was taken a week ago. Take that mid-westerners.)

This last story needs to be bolstered by a recent situation where Graisyn asked Staci for something. Staci said, "no." Graisyn then asked, "are we going to ask daddy when he gets home, right?" Staci nodded. To which Graisyn replied, "Daddy is going to say no isn't he?" She understands the procedures and protocols very well.

There are still moments when she reminds us that she is a kid. For instance, she asked whether monkey's do somersaults. Staci did not know, but Grai suspected so. She also understands that the computer tells whatever we need to know. When Staci was having difficulty naming 15 different types of dinosaurs, Graisyn told her that we can look them up on the computer.

I think the final news flash to share for now is, we discovered how many eggnogs it takes for a grown man to act like a three year. Just ask Jim. Photos to follow.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Where have you been lately

It has now been a month since our last post and a lot has changed. My sweet angel of a 3 year old turned into the spawn of Satan. It was almost as instantaneous as Linda Blair vomiting on Father Karras. Long gone are the daily respite naps and patience of a saint. In its place are temper tantrums, bouts of self-flagellating timeouts, and incessant talking. She is still made of sugar and spice and all things nice, but I think someone substituted in paprika. Then add in a tendency to wake up at 5:30 a.m. and not want to go back to sleep. Calgon, take me away. You would think she was working on a Ph.D. dissertation or the theory of relativity. Let me help you . . . this relatively sucks.

However, all is not bad. She is growing very tall, 95% for her age, and she is advanced beyond her years. According to her pediatrician, she is easily on par with 4 year olds, but has several skills in line with 5 years olds and 7 year olds!!! Her thirst for knowledge is unquenchable, which is great. I especially love the "why" train.

The other bundle of joy is just that . . . a little bundle of coos and smiles. Eliza, much like Graisyn used to be, sleeps well, eats well, and loves to interact with Staci, Grai, and I. She doles out smiles like they're going out of style. We have to enjoy this while it lasts because we know what is coming.

We are about to embark on another move. Our new home should be ready around Christmas. More photos will follow. As for work, I can tell you that I have a job, that I like it, and that I am learning a lot.

Cute Babies.

Mirror, mirror on the wall . . .

Our Contribution to Tradition

Since we are in limbo in our rental home, and are too lazy to find the artificial Christmas tree and ornaments that are packed away, we decided to make a holiday gingerbread house. Graisyn actually made this, almost by herself. She decided to dedicate a portion of the house to different family members.
This side was in honor of mommy and daddy.

This was for grandparents.

This was for family members of a different persuasion.

This was for those who have conflict.

Thanksgiving the way it was meant to be.

Graisyn's school had a Thanksgiving feast. All the kids marched into the great hall to share in a tradition older than America.

The school believes in authenticity, so the meal consisted of apple sauce, chex, pretzels, kisses, and fried chicken.
Mmmm, doesn't that look appetizing.

Most of the kids prayed before the meal and thanked God for the delicious meal. Others marched to a different beat and just dug right in.

Life Altering Event

I figured it is about time to write about my new job. On November 1, 2007, I began working as an in-house attorney for Pinnacle West. My chief responsibility will be . The security is tight and I had to go through a thorough background check. At this point, it appears that I passed and I now have an ID badge. Up to this point I have researched the implications of and on . I have also sat in on meetings to discuss 's and our . As you can see it is extremely exciting and challenging. I will fill you in as more happens.

I know

Yes. I know that I now have two children and that you would like to see her. Eliza has been in seclusion because she has been receiving too much attention. For a while she had to go around in disguise so that people would not recognize her.

She went through great lengths to hides, but it was too much and she had to give up.

My mother was a great help when we had Graisyn. They have developed a neat relationship and bond.

My mom continues to be pillar of reliability.

Not only is she there to hold her new granddaughter, but she is also available by phone if someone needs to talk.

Friends

Those who know Graisyn know that she is very sociable.



This is a recent photo from the birthday party of one of her classmates. Grai had a great time and did everything she could to convince me that I am out of shape. I could barely keep up with her.



Then there is Tristyn. She is a little Ho...literally...the daughter of my best friend Frankie Ho. Grai was quick to make friends with her and, as you can see in the second photo, took her under her wings.




I overheard Graisyn tell Tristyn to stick with her and she would show her how to have a good time and make all the boys come running.

Exhibit #1.

This is Graisyn with her "boyfriend" Keegan. As you can see, they start at an early age.

Let me just put it out there that I am getting a shotgun for Christmas. I'm not threatening anyone, but she is my daughter.

Here is a picture of me. I am cute.










Here is a picture of my little sister, Eliza. As you can see, her eyes are open. They are not open very often. I like to see her eyes. I also like it when she is not crying.

New Beginnings

While Graisyn's voice has dominated this blog, it is the D'Aguanno Family blog; therefore, you will have to use your thinking caps to identify the author. In this case, it is I, Joe. My voice will be heard. By the way, thank you for your viewership and comments.


Thursday and Friday of this week marked a new beginning for me and my family. I left the secure, comfortable embrace of my prior employer and moved on to something new, unique, and unknown. It was difficult to leave, but it was the first move of my professional career. It had to be done. For those of you who keep up with the news, drama seems to follow me wherever I go. First it was my brother Anthony moving out west, then it was having a child that was my clone, now it is the newsworthy item. If you have not picked up on it yet, I cannot talk about my job and, if you asked me, I would just point you to whatever public information is available. I also don't want someone to be able to google me and find out where I work . . . for security reasons.

Other than that, Graisyn has become a "why" machine. Regardless of how many times Staci and I explain something, it is followed with yet another "why". Until this point, I was looking forward to this stage and her quest for knowledge. Now I just want to give her an encyclopedia and a muzzle. God, give me strength.

The heffer continues to grow. She is now ten and a half pounds. I am not sure what is in the milk, but maybe that is what Barry Bonds was using???

Happy Halloween

Well, my third Halloween is in the books. This year I was little red riding hood.


Dad said I looked like something from The Village, but I told him I am not from the village, I am from mommy's belly.

Daddy was going to dress up as the big bad wolf, but that was too scary so he decided to be the hero hunter who kills the wolf.


It was so much fun. While trick or treating, Daddy scared away a dog that was coming after me with the wolf's head. What fun.


After a long, tiring day of begging for candy and developing an instinct for entitlement, mommy and daddy taught me about the evils of streetwalkers. I am at a stage now where every other word out of my mouth is "why?". When I asked why a girl was dressed as a streetwalker, daddy told me she was bad and I would learn more about her when I get older. Why does it seem like every explanation has to wait until I am older?

My final thought for the day is: what does spiderman really do?

Our New Home

These pictures show the progress of our new house. We are about 2 months from completion.

What the Devil?

This is treason. I was the only child and then my parents bring home this. They even spend the time to come up with some fancy announcement. I'll show them an announcement.

NOW HEAR THIS . . . I am child number one. Not to be replaced. Remember how you told me I was your favorite little girl. What are you going to tell her . . . you are my favorite second little girl? These photos should remind you of who I am.

Look, I can be cute.