When Michelle was still pregnant, we had a discussion about what we thought his first word would be. Without hesitation, I said, "Riley." It's probably the most common word spoken in our house, as in "Riley, be nice!" "Riley, no!" and so on. Plus, I figured Riley was sure to be E's shadow as he grew more mobile and began carrying food with him.

So the other day, I was in the living room with Riley and E while Michelle was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Riley, of course, was sitting nervously at the baby gate waiting for me to let him out to be near the food and E was wanding about the room carrying his toys from one corner to the next.

At one point, E diverted his path and went over and hugged Riley. "Riley," he said.

I suddenly stopped whatever it was that I had been doing and Michelle turned around from her dinner preparation. We both stared straight at Eastland.

"Riley," I said. "Riley," Eastland repeated. And then again.

Several more times we repeated the word as E poked and pulled at Riley. Both Michelle and I confirmed with each other that he was, indeed, saying "Riley" and he was associating it with the dog. Since then, he's repeated the word at least several dozen times.

For example, last night, over at Michelle's parents' house after dinner, their dogs were laying in the middle of the living room gnawing on bones. E wandered up to Molly, stood right in front of her, pointed and said, "Riley."

So perhaps he doesn't quite have it all figured out yet. But he does have his first word, and he's starting to discover how to use it. I imagine for some time now, all dogs will be known as "Riley." But he'll sorted that out in time.