How 'Bout That?

For posterity's sake, I thought I'd capture a few "Calla-isms" we've been enjoying lately. Using complete sentences is no longer remarkable (except when I stop to think about how we just intuit things like sentence structure and verb endings and pronouns), but she's using a few phrases frequently that still make me laugh.

"You OK, Mama?" [Daddy/Chloe/Baby...]
I'm not sure from whence comes this wellspring of concern, but if I look irritated or am concentrating on a task (opening a jar, for example) or bump an elbow, Calla's instantly asking about my well-being. Likewise, any minor bump or trip she experiences will get a quick "I'm OK!" to reassure us of her well-being. I'm OK. She's OK. We're all OK around here.

".... like Daddy!"
This has become a common phrase ending. Calla likes to emulate her father - be it the way he drinks up the cereal milk straight from the bowl, or how he eats goldfish crackers cupped in his hand, or even just mimicking his hand gestures. She once had the temerity to suggest that I should use the bathroom "like Daddy" and that's when I knew things had gone too far.

"'Scuse me, Lily!" "No, thanks!" "Bless you, Chloe!"
Some of our lessons in politeness have been paying off, apparently. She doesn't always remember to say "please" (except when it's something she really wants), but even the "thank yous" are more frequent. She somehow uses the "no thanks" more, but often at strange times. "Calla, do you need a diaper change?" "No, thanks!" "Calla, it's time to get dressed now." "No, thanks!" I guess one can be ornery and polite at the same time.

"How 'bout that?"
This phrase punctuates the end of many sentences. I couldn't figure out where she picked this one up, until I started listening to me. Guilty. Calla uses it - as I do, I guess - to garner enthusiasm for something she really wants to do.

"We have snack now, how 'bout that?"

"We play outside, how 'bout that?"

Or my favorite, said twice now, from out of nowhere...

"I make a baby, how 'bout that?"

Ummm... In 25 years, let's talk. How about THAT?