Becoming Analise

Riley Grace is at the fun stage where when she babbles, she knows what she is saying … but we don’t always know what she’s saying! This makes for some interesting conversations as we try to decipher what she’s trying to communicate. Her vocabulary has recently expanded a lot. She loves to talk! Some people think this is a little ironic since her Daddy and I are not really big talkers.  She seems to pick up  everything . We went to the zoo this past weekend, and now she won’t stop saying “tiger” and “snake” (pronounced “iger” and “nake”). Patrick has been watching the Women’s World Cup, and so Riley Grace also wants to watch “goccer." Her all-time favorite word is “dog”, and she calls everything – squirrels, cats, trees, houses – “dog." She pronounces “dawg” with a major country accent! “Dog” is also very similar to “door” (pronounced “doe”). She knows a lot of body parts, and she has just recently learned “elbow” (pronounced “bilbo” – as in Bilbo Baggins of Lord of the Ri

CONTROL . I like to be in  control . There are many reasons and circumstances in which I like to be in control, but the underlying motive behind my desire for control lies in my intrinsic need for  security . I (foolishly) think that if I can control the outcome of a situation, then I will be secure. I will be safe. I will be taken care of. All of my needs will be met. If I can plan the events so that the outcome is to my favor, then I’m good to go! I can plan for all possible outcomes. I can try to manipulate the situation to yield the outcome I desire. I attempt to control our financial situation so that we will be taken care of and worry free. I attempt to control our marriage to avoid unnecessary conflict and have both of our needs met. I attempt to control the circumstances in Riley Grace’s life to ensure that she is safe and free from harm. I attempt to control our employment situations in order to aid in our financial security. And on and on and on.... Can anyone relate to my d

If you’ve ever heard Riley Grace say anything, then it’s probably one of four things: “Daddy”, “Momma”, “Dog”, or “Uh-oh”. These are her favorite words, and she says them ALL the time. She has become quite the talkative little girl. She’s always chattering about something. If you continue to talk to her and ask questions, she will continue to respond in her 21-month babble with partial words, barks, and “choo-choos”. It’s truly precious! I love talking back and forth with her. She had been on a kick for a while of saying “uh-oh” about everything. She learned this word as Patrick or I would say it after something fell on the floor or after she fell down. Now that she has heard us repeat the word over again for things that happen on accident , she has (kinda) learned when to say it. Now, she doesn’t quite understand the exact context of when to say it. For example, if something accidently drops to the floor, she says “uh-oh”. However, when she intentionally throws somethin