Raising Daughters

I have two beautiful, sweet, unique, little girls.

While my parenting experience has only begun, in celebration of Mother's Day this Sunday, I thought I'd make a list of 20 things I've found, both as a mother, daughter, and sister, are important to know when raising girls.  They are in no particular order, and of course, there are many many things I could add.  But I thought an "off the top of my head" list would be a little more authentic, since typically what is most important to us, is most immediately on our minds.

1. Read to her the good books, and she will discover a world even bigger than the one around her

2. When she's old enough to read to herself, teach her how to find the best books, and she will learn to be careful what she lets enter her mind

2. Let her play with your makeup brushes in the mirror while you get ready in the bathroom, and she will see her mother appreciates what she sees in the mirror

3. Take a break to snuggle, and she will feel safe in your arms

4. Teach her how to speak to her parents with respect, and she'll learn to be careful with her words

5. Go for walks, and let her stop to look at a butterfly, smell the flowers, or look for 4 leaf clovers, and you'll inspire her to explore and learn about her world 

6. Keep as many of the pictures she makes for you as you can, and she'll know you think about her

7. Say sorry to her if you've made a mistake, and she'll find value in humility

8. Teach her to sincerely apologize, and she'll learn not to suppress feelings of remorse

9. Teach her that good friends make you feel beautiful, and she'll know how to be a good friend herself

10. Read the scriptures with her every single day, and she'll learn there is a right way to live and be happy

11. Take her to church every Sunday, and she'll learn the best community she is a part of, is one that is Christ centered

12. Help her feel what reverence means, and she'll learn how to listen for Heavenly Father, and know He talks to her in many ways 

13. Teach her that happiness is a choice to make good choices, and she'll know how to find it

14. Dress modestly yourself, and she'll see that modesty means respecting what is beautiful

15. Speak carefully and thoughtfully, and she will see that words can be powerful

16. Give her opportunities to work hard, and she will know what it means to feel successful

17. Sing with her, and she'll learn music is a way to share what is in her heart

18. Keep high expectations for her, and she'll learn you know she is capable of great things

19. Insist she treat her siblings with kindness, and she'll learn the most important relationships are those within the walls of her own home

20.  Marry the right man.  Choose someone to be her father who will honor all things previously listed, and have a list of his own.  Marry a man who puts on the top of his list, loving you.  Because the best way for a daughter to learn to value herself, is by watching how her father honors her mother.  Words cannot fully express my gratitude in finding a man who does this so well.  

     

Spilled chocolate milk

I looked my 4 year old in the eye, and said, "now I need you to be so careful with this milk.  I don't have an extra dress for you, and if you spill this chocolate milk all over your dress, we have to go home."

She returned my serious look, and said she understood.  We were sitting in the car, in front of the Burger King on base, scarfing down some lunch before attending an "I'm a hero too" party for children with deployed parents.  The kids had been looking forward to the party all day.

Can you guess what happened 10 minutes into our little meal?  Of course.  Spilled chocolate milk.  All. Over.  She was soaked.  Now what?  We live 30 minutes from base, no time to go get a change of clothes.  Well, I came up with the brilliant idea to go to the BX, and see if I can't find a 4T outfit, and still salvage our afternoon.  For all my non-military readers, the BX stands for Base Exchange, and is sort of like an on-base Wal-mart or Target.

I unbuckled and hustled everyone into the store as fast as their little legs could go, and toddler on my hip, diaperbag on my shoulder, little girls trailing, I grabbed the first outfit I could find.  It was a bright orange, frilly, sparkly, bejeweled top with zebra print capris.  A little more funky than what I usually buy, but Merrylee was pleased, and Anny was grateful her fun day wasn't ruined by a younger sibling.  I tried not to think of all the negative behaviors I was reinforcing as I paid the cashier.

The girls made some new friends at the party, and when I wasn't chasing around my energetic toddler, I was able to grab brief bits of conversation with other tired but stalwart moms fighting the same home-front fight.

After the party, I had planned to brave the mall with my crew so I could return some online purchases, and buy a birthday present.  I lost count of how many times I said in my loudest-but-not-yet-yelling voice, "Do not touch anything!"

We fit the exhausted-mom-shopping-with-too-many-kids mold pretty nicely.  The girls fought and picked at each other, while my nap-depraved son whined in the stroller, and dropped his lovey about every 5 minutes. Still, I managed to make my returns, buy the birthday gift, and even found time to buy a few fragrant hand soaps from Bath and Body Works.  I would have liked to have actually smelled most of their scents and chosen my favorites, but due to a lacking in both time and well behaved children, I went with the first one I liked, another that had a catchy title, and two favorites of the cashiers.

By then everyone was hungry.  I settled for pizza and lemonade in the food court for the kids, and a gyro and flavored fries for me.  The gyro was just ok, but I knew from experience, the fries would be amazing, thanks to their secret recipe seasoning.

I warned Merrylee to be extra careful not to get pizza onto her brand new shirt, and told Anny to be careful with the lemonade, and share with her sister.  Can you guess what happened?  Of course.  Greasy pizza, splat, onto the new shirt.  The lemonade spilled.  Thankfully, there was a lid on the lemonade, so the first initial spill wasn't too bad.  The second, third, and fourth however, took it's toll on our stack of napkins, everyone's laps, and my patience.  I didn't realize we also had a nice little sticky puddle of lemonade on the floor- until Ben dropped his lovey into it.

We went home.  I bathed the kids, we had scripture study, and everyone went to bed before 7.  A little early for a Saturday night, but I was done being a parent.

Feeling drained and a bit fragile, I cut myself a generous slice of leftover black forest cake, and settled into my computer chair, ready to unwind, and prepare my Sunday school lesson for the nursery.  On the LDS website where they have the lesson manuals, I saw this video.  Happy to procrastinate my lesson planning, I watched.



I cannot watch this little video without tearful gratitude for my Heavenly Father's love for me.  My frustrating afternoon and troubles suddenly seemed so infantile and small.  How many things have I taken for granted today?  How many times has God had patience with me, and warned me about bad choices, only to watch me make them anyway?  How many times has He then continued to bless and assist me, despite my imperfections?  He'll clean up spilled chocolate milk. He will turn my mistakes into growth and blessings.  He wont mock me for crying over silly little things, and he'll continually bless me with more ways to be happy.  He will always be there.  He will always provide.  I will never be able to pay Him back, or even fully comprehend all He has done for me.  He doesn't expect me to.  He does everything for me, for the same reason I do everything for my own children.  I love my babies.  Heavenly Father loves me.  He loves me because I am His child, and He is my Father.    

Pass the Hinny Minny's please!

All kids mispronounce things.  It's a part of speech development, and pretty cute.  Sometimes I think the way my girls have mispronounced certain words, are actually an improvement on them.  We've come to use the improved version in our everyday speech at home.  If you ever hear us use the improvements instead of the official word, I have provided the Andrews Sisters-English translation below, for your own personal reference.   

For your convenience, I've listed the words in alphabetical order. 

Binanan  (Banana)
Dusting Panner (Dust pan)
Hinny Minny's (Frosted Mini Wheats)
Hoopa-loop (Hula-hoop)
Lellow (Yellow)
Marshlellow (Marshmellow)

It's a short but cute list.  After all, we do have smart little girls who love to talk, so mispronunciations aren't in a great abundance.  I'm not actually convinced that's what these are, to be honest.  They're more like creative interpretations of the words.  Feel free to add them to your own vocabulary!

Now if you'll please excuse me, I need to go use the dusting panner to finish sweeping up the breakfast mess my girls made from marshlellow and Hinny Minny cereals.  I'd ask Anny to help me, but she's busy using her binanan lellow hoopa-loop.   

How to Charm Your Daddy 101

Granted Merrylee was already at an advantage, since Daddy just got home and hadn't seen her in awhile, so just about everything the girls do make him smile. Still though, this time, she had him nailed.

The girls were changing into their pajamas with Daddy's help. I had plans to do laundry (failed plans) so the baskets were in the laundry room. Rather than start a pile of clothes on the floor where the basket should be, Dad handed Merrylee their dirty clothes to go carry into the laundry room. Merrylee doesn't like being by herself in any part of the house, so I could smell an excuse coming. Our neighbors have dogs we can sometimes hear barking. A common excuse for Merrylee not to be alone or sent somewhere is "I'm scared of the puppies".

That one works on me sometimes, because I'm actually a little afraid of their puppies too.  Unlike Merrylee however, I do find more comfort in our walls and closed doors, and am a little past jumping at the mere sound of their bark.  That comes with years of practice I guess! 

Tonight, knowing her audience, Merrylee changed her excuse. Hearing the cannon boom of practicing AC-130's in the distant airfields, she started walking to the laundry room, then ran back into the bedroom, looked innocently up into Daddy's face and said, "I don't wanna see a gunship."

A surprised look came over Daddy's face, and instead of rolling his eyes and telling her that was silly (and obviously manipulative) he smiled at her, gave me a quick "aren't our girls amazing?!!" look and said, "Ok Merrylee, I'll walk with you, because you're so cute."

He then on their way to the laundry room kindly explained she has nothing to fear about the gunships, and that they're on her side. I'm sure she's very reassured, and will never use such an excuse again. Never ever, not when it worked so well...

A humble two year old

We have an advent calendar the girls enjoy using at Christmastime.  It's the same calendar I used as a little girl.  The tradition is to fill each of the little pockets with York Peppermint Patties.  Each day of December before Christmas, the little mouse gets moved to a new pocket, and the peppermint pattie is split between participating siblings.  Anny actually remembered the calendar this year.  She had a fun time filling each of the pockets with peppermint patties as we got out our decorations, and had a bit of a tearful moment when one bag of mints only filled 22 of the pockets.  Thankfully she has an experienced mother, who plans ahead for these things.  I showed her the second bag I had bought, and she smiled, wiped the tears off her cheeks, and finished filling the pockets.  The extra mints lasted just a couple tasty days in our candy dish. 

Anny looks forward to her daily special duty of taking out the mint, splitting it with her sister, and moving the mouse into his new pocket.  Merrylee of course looks forward to this too, and doesn't seem to notice when her half of the mint is somehow a bit smaller than her sisters. 

This afternoon I was busy procrastinating some much needed house cleaning (still am as I write this post!) and doing some last minute online shopping.  Merrylee had dragged a stool into the pantry, and was trying to find herself a snack.  After refusing her various requests for christmas tree cakes and cookies, I finally just told her to stay out of the pantry.  A few minutes passed, and it got a little too quiet in the kitchen- usually a time when the "mommy sensors" go off.  I called for Merrylee, and recieved no response.  I got up to see what she was up to, and found her sitting at the kitchen table, taking a bite out of a peppermint pattie she had snuck out of the advent calendar.  She immediately looked up at me with a very guilty face.  Obviously no "she's too little to understand" excuse could be applied.  I told her "no" and reminded her those were special candies for our calendar.  She made a very humble and sad face, and looked at her toes.  A little hand containing the half eaten mint was rasied up towards me as she softly replied, "here Mama.  I don't want it anymore."

My heart melted, and not not wanting to ruin a perfect parenting moment, instead of smothering her with the huge snuggle I instantly craved, I took the candy, and wiped the chocolate off her fingers. 

I think we'll keep her. 

Anny of course wandered into the kitchen to see what was going on.  When I explained what had happened, Anny looked at Merrylee shocked and said incredulously, "How did she open it?!!" 

Anny has a bit of trouble opening candies, and even resorts to scissors on occasion.  I responded simply that Merrylee doesn't seem to have those same challenges.

Here's a photo of the little sweetheart, expressing the latest fashions for toddlers.  Looking at that little face, I wonder how we manage any sort of discipline at all.

Little Pink Leotards, and a Little Pink Tree

Missing Daddy is just no fun.  Merrylee, Anny, and I have to do something to keep our morale up while Daddy's away for the holidays!!!  So what do we do?  We embrace our femininity. 

Watching chick flicks is way more common than college football, and there's lots of dancing while the soccer ball is lonely in the corner.  Jim Rome's radio show is replaced with princess songs in the car, and evidence of crafts, sewing, and art projects can be found in every room of the house.  Shopping trips are as long as we want them to be (and so are the receipts!).  Each of us understands and agrees there are appropriate times for crying, whether it be at the end of Toy Story 3, or because the tin of Danish Christmas butter cookies is empty, and you were so looking forward to eating one!!!  The estrogen flows freely, as does the chocolate.  We're survivors, taking on life one pinkalicious day at a time. 

Today's girly events revolved around pink things (they often do).  Both girls are in gymnastics classes this month, and today I found a little pink leotard a friend gave to us- size 2T.  Needless to say it was worn by a very cute two year old girl to her toddler gymnastics class today.  Of course Anny has a darling pink leotard of her own too!! 

On our way home we decided to pick up our Christmas tree, rather than fight Thanksgiving crowds next week.  I'm usually a "real tree" kind of girl, but with Daddy out for the holidays, much of my decorating motivation went with him.  Buying a fake tree just seemed simpler, not to mention it will last as long as we want it to, so we can leave it up for Daddy to see after he gets back. 

"That's all fine and well" you say, "but what does that have to do with pink things?"

Great question- one I didn't think I'd be answering today.  While looking at my different options of plastic trees, the girls spotted a three foot high little pink one, and fell in love.  I love my girls, and found I completely lacked the will to say no.  Of course if you're going to buy a little pink tree, you also need a pink Christmas tree skirt, pink garland, pink ornaments, and a pink star to put on top!  The girls were so happy and excited to set up their little tree in their bedroom.  Traditionally we wait until after Thanksgiving to put up the Christmas decorations, but for an occasion like this, would you have waited?!! 

Anny summed up the entire experience with the words, "I think I'm gonna cry a happy cry because our pink tree is so beautiful!!!!"

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This slideshow is dedicated to the Prince Charming of our hearts, we're all looking forward to that special "someday" you come home!

5 points if you know the classic girly movie the original version of the song in our slideshow comes from!! (this is a fun country version of the original)

Oh What do you Do

My baby is no longer so.  Merry little Merrylee turned two, and I'm a little behind in posting sweet photos of her special day. 

Both my little ones have their favorite songs they like me to sing to them when they need snuggles in the rocking chair.  Anny's has always been, "Daisy, Daisy".  I know you know it-

"Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do. I'm half crazy, all for the love of you . . ."

Merrylee's favorite song is Oh What Do You Do in the Summer Time? It's a song in our church children's songbook.  She fondly refers to it as "Oh What Do you Do".  You can listen to the original version here.  Click on the "words and music" dot on the left, and then hit play.

Inside Out, an acapella band I like, sings a cute version of the song.  I listened to it today on Itunes, and Merrylee ran out of the playroom and said, "Oh! I like that song!" and immediately started hopping around and dancing.  It only seems appropriate that I set her birthday slideshow to said song.

I don't think a little toddler could possibly be more loved than this one!   

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Nursemaid Elbow - Common Courtesty Please

No one feels better after a, "You didn't know that? I've always known that" comment.  There are some things that if you're socially competent, or wish to be known as someone with class, you really shouldn't say.  Along with the above mentioned, are phrases that begin with the following:

"I don't mean to be a jerk, but . . ."
"No offense, but . . ."
"I know I shouldn't say this, but . . ."
"Don't take this the wrong way, but . . ."
"I don't want to sound rude, but . . ."

You get the idea.  Saying you don't want to look like a jerk doesn't make it alright to speak like one.  So please, if you already knew about this, I don't want to hear it.  I'm passing on a life experience I wish I had understood before, or read about on someone else's blog.  It would have saved us some grief, and a late night trip to the E.R.

We all love playing with our kids.  Tossing them up in the air, and hearing that squeal of delight and those sweet giggles keep us swinging and tossing until we've given ourselves a workout no expensive gym membership can top!  Even then, those cute chubby faces are pleading, "again, more swinging?  Please, up high?!"

Not easy to turn down- unless of course this innocent play ends in screams and tears.  Such was the case last night, with our little Merrylee.  We were holding her up high by the hands, and blowing raspberries on her tummy, when giggles turned to tears.  Not all that unusual, tickling often is only tolerated for so long- accept this time a little snuggling wasn't making it better.  Neither were fruit snacks, or other offers of treats.  She just sat there, quietly fussing, and not moving her arm.  We examined it for swelling, felt around for breaks, but didn't find anything unusual.  She didn't like us moving it though, and wouldn't move it herself.  We thought maybe a muscle was pulled, and hoped she'd start moving it again after a little while.  As the evening progressed however, it didn't change, and we got more worried.  She ate her supper, and played a little, but still wouldn't move that arm.

My experienced mother of 6 mother-in-law mentioned the term nursemaid elbow.  You can read about it here.  She was visiting my sister-in-law, and we drove two hours to spend the evening with them.  We got home pretty late, and put the girls to bed, hoping maybe after some rest Merrylee would wake up feeling better.  It was too late to call her doctor, and I really didn't want to take her to the emergency room unless I really had to.  It didn't appear to be broken, wasn't swollen, and she wasn't crying about it anymore.  As any parent who's experienced the late night E.R. trip knows, it's definitely something to avoid if possible.  Lots of waiting, lots of germs, lots of hassle. 

Merrylee, of course wouldn't sleep, thus increasing our worry.   I tried to look up her symptoms on the Internet, but found nothing conclusive or helpful.  Then I tried looking up the term my mother-in-law gave me.  Sure enough, she matched every symptom!  It's basically a partially dislocated elbow, and a very common injury among toddlers and young children under 6.  It's caused by pulling on the child's arm while it's fully extended.  It can happen by something as innocent as Mom and Dad each holding a hand, and swinging the toddler over a curb or step.  Don't tell me you've never done that with your child, because I wont believe you!

Symptoms include crying at the initial injury, and then the child refusing to use the arm, but more or less carrying on like normal, unless something forces him or her to move the arm.  The article suggested to immediately go visit the doctor, or if after hours, visiting an emergency room.  So that's what I did.  Very fortunately, we were the only ones there.  We went through Triage in record time, and saw a doctor right away.  He gently popped her elbow back into place.  It's hard to say if she was crying because it hurt, or because she doesn't like doctors.  (She definitely doesn't like doctors, she cries even at Anny's appointments).  However she immediately regained the use of her arm, and used it to push the doctor away with her little hand.  As we were walking back to the car, her tears were gone, and she was using the arm to point at the "twinkle, twinkle, little stars". 

We got home around three a.m., and all went to bed and slept soundly.  If you're gonna go to the ER, that's the way to do it!  No wait, no blood, minimal drama, and immediate recovery.  She's a happy baby again today, and we're grateful and a little wiser.  Learn from us and pass it on, so your only involvement with this common injury is what you've read here!    

When in Rome...

Merrylee and Daddy sharing a munchkin

Anny's "finished" pink frosted donut

When in Rome...

There are over 400 Dunkin Donuts in just the Boston area. Here we are doin' as the Romans do ...

Mommy's Baby

Most friends look at Merrylee and exclaim,

"Wow, she looks so much like her Daddy!"

May I present the following evidence that she is indeed, my child too?

Mommy 1984

Merrylee 2010

Food for Thought

One of the luxuries I allow myself while Scott is deployed (yup- again. He's on a regular home-again-gone-again schedule) is eating well, and eating well . . . wherever and whatever we want. I try to make it fun, for both myself and the girls. Scott's only been gone a week and a half, and already we've been to or ordered take out from:

Burger King

Wendy's

McDonalds

Whataburger

Thai Hut 2

Guglielmo's Italian Grill

and if we're feeling better from some yucky colds, tomorrow we'll add:

D'Won's Cajun Buffet

We've also bought various snack and treat items at the grocery store that include but are not limited to- Entenmann's Chocolate Doughnuts, Chex Mix, Garlic Bagel Chips, Valentines Day themed Little Debbie heart cakes, Pringles, dried pineapple pieces, apple chips, and Ghiradelli Dark Chocolates, the raspberry and mint-filled kinds.

I even vary the presentation of our meals, by eating on the family room floor, picnic style on a blanket and in front of the TV, or taking fast food to the playground, etc.

Tonight I tried to be a fun cool mom, and make a meal with just my girls in mind. I served corndogs, and made my own french fries- my own healthier version anyway. I cut up potatoes into french fry shapes, and baked them in the oven on a cookie sheet. I even bought a chocolate cake at the grocery store. You know- one of the little pretty ones that you usually admire, but never actually buy. Well, Scott's deployed, so we bought it.

I have to admit, I was proud of my fun, kid friendly meal. Merrylee, as usual appreciated my efforts, and happily filled her little 16 month old tummy. Anny, again as usual, was not so appreciative. Under threat of no cake, she took a couple courtesy bites from her corn dog, glanced at her fries, and reminded me she doesn't like potatoes. (yet she doesn't make that distinction for McDonald's fries) When I got out the camera to take pictures for Scott, she held her corn dog up to her mouth to make a cute convincing photo. I snuck out the camera when she was showing her true self however, and being defiant. Needless to say, she did not get any cake. Instead she had to watch Merrylee chirp with glee in her little baby voice, "keek! keek! keek!" as she devoured with both hands her slice of "Cookies and Cream Marble Cake with Buttercream Frosting". Unfortunately for me, the cake had more dairy in it than I expected, so the grocery store cake experience was a little disappointing. Speaking of disappointing, I gave up on Anny, and threw away a very full plate of food. She then found the nerve to call to me from her seat, "Thank you so much for that supper, Mom. I forgive you."

sigh . . . so glad I'm forgiven.

Merrylee, chowin' down her corn dog, corn-on-the cob style. Anny was the one who actually described it that way. "Look Mommy! Merrylee's eating it like corn on the cobb!"

Anny posing for Daddy's picture . . .

. . . and being herself.

Merrylee's First Birthday

I've broken several of my "blogging rules".

#1. I wont post more pictures than would overwhelm the average viewier

We all have busy lives, and spending 20 minutes looking at photos of other people's kids doesn't usually make the top of a "to-do" list.

#2. I wont add a new post more often than every week or so

I want to give friends and family time to look at what I last posted before something new is up.

I guess all this time away from Scott has scrambled my brain a bit, because this is the 4th photo-slideshow I've posted . . . in 4 days. Honestly, Daddy being gone is a major factor to my rule breaking. I'm posting them for him. If anyone else just happens to want to see the faces of my family over 100 times in 4 days, I've made it easy for you!

Last but certainly not least . . . Merrylee's First Birthday Photos!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We're thinking about planning a visit to the National Zoo before I head back home, so maybe I can sneak in one more slideshow . . . .

Another Slideshow

And yet, this isn't the last one I'm going to post . . .

These are pictures from a 3 generation photo shoot we had today.

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Virginia in the Fall

For Merrylee's birthday we went to the Fall Festival at Cox Farms. It was a perfect day. We sure missed Daddy. He would have loved being there too. If you feel a little photoed out after my last slideshow, or think you may have something better to do than sit and watch 75 beautiful, fall-festive pictures slowly glide by, don't worry. I didn't make this for you.

More pictures to come of Merrylee's first cupcake, and opening her gifts.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A Day at the National Aquarium in Baltimore

Make a Smilebox slideshow

For Daddy

Scott asked me to post video of the girls he can watch while he's gone. Merrylee seems to be growing and changing the most, so this post is all about her. This is a lot of footage for someone other than a parent, grandparent, or possibly adoring aunt or uncle. I understand of course why it'd be hard to watch it all. It's all too easy to feel overwhelmed by all that sweet baby cuteness. We're around her all the time you see, so we can handle it. Don't feel bad if after a minute or two you feel inadequate to the task of finishing it. She is pretty cute. Not many people are used to so much concentrated sweetness. Just relax, and watch as much as you can handle. You can always take a break, come back and finish watching it later.

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We miss you Daddy. This movie was made just for you, with love from all 3 of your girls.

The only thing cuter than a cute baby . . . .

. . . is a cute baby giggling! Turn off my music player for full effect!!!

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Little Rylee

I love that we call Riannyn, Anny. I love nicknames. It sets those who know you apart from those who don't. They're sweet, and personal. Liz is short for Elizabeth of course. My Dad says you can make more nicknames out of Elizabeth than any other name. He called me by as many as he could think of. Betty, Liza, Beth, Bethy-sue, Eliza, Liz . . . Those who have known me for a really long time remember my "Lizzy" days. When I told my husband I could recognize friends who have known and loved me for years because they still call me Lizzy, he decided he too should be a part of that group. When he proposed, he said, "Lizzy, will you marry me?".

I wanted a nickname for Merrylee, but couldn't think of one. Thankfully I have a very creative sister (thank's Buggy), who immediately came up with one- Rylee. Like Anny is taken directly from the spelling of Riannyn (RiANNYn), Rylee is at the end of Merrylee (MerRYLEE). We held off calling her that for a little while so we could get used to her beautiful full name. (by the way, it's pronounced like the word "merrily", some of you still seem confused by that. My fault, the spelling is confusing . . .), We also waited because Anny couldn't pronounce her "l's" or "r's". Rylee to her was "Why-wee". Not quite so cute. However our brilliantly advanced eldest daughter can now pronounce her "l's" quite proficiently! So we're taking the leap, and are going to start using Merrylee's sweet nickname, Rylee. Feel free to use it too! Here's some sweet photos of the little darling herself.