Becoming Analise

Before I go any further, I want you to be a fly on the wall in the Cochran house, and listen to this short conversation between Patrick and me … By conversation, I mean that I talked and he stood there …   I’m a little embarrassed already. So, I was feeding Riley Grace her supper when Patrick walked in the door. “Are you here?” ( Me, confused as to why he was home early ) “ …… .” ( Patrick, speechless as he looked around, acting as if I MUST be talking to someone else because CLEARLY he was here … ) “No, I mean, are you home?” ( Me, attempting to clarify the previous question … Clearly, as a husband, he has (or should have) the superpower of MIND-READING!...But he didn’t seem to be accessing that power at the moment. ) “ …… ..” ( Patrick, still looking behind him and smiling, acting as if I HAD to be talking to someone else – I, on the other hand, KNOW that he KNOWS what I mean. Wow, now I apparently have the mind-reading superpower, too … ! ) “ …… ..” (...

Instead of the common phrase for car safety, “Buckle up for safety,” Riley Grace would encourage you to “Cuddle up for safety!” ( … not in the car of course – she’s buckled up very tightly in the car!) Riley Grace has two favorite “safe” spots. These spots are two places of safety and security for her. Her first safe place she loves is when her Daddy is holding her. She loves to be held by him with her head on his shoulder and both arms holding on to him. Her second safe place is sitting in between my legs on the floor with a hand on each of my legs, pulling them as close to her body as possible. In her little mind, she is safe in these places with Daddy and Mama. We love our cuddle bug! She wasn’t always cuddly, and she has to be in the mood to be close, as she is very independent and has an opinion of her own. However, when she wants to be close, she lets each of us know as she snuggles into her personal safe spots. I wish I could bottle up these moments and keep them forever, but...