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.