Book Review: Hello Baby! by Mem Fox (& a few Lydia-isms)

We rarely go to McDonald’s. Ever since I saw Super Size Me I can’t swallow a Chicken McNugget to save my life. So, it makes me smile when Lydia calls it, “Old McDonald’s”. I’m loving that Lydia is so verbal–sometimes I forget she’s only 3. Until she busts out with one of those cute Lydia-isms.

Another one of my favorites is when she gets on her rocking horse or is going to run and she says, “I’m going to be fast as a LIGHTNING BUG!” Ahh, this makes me laugh every time.

This week, I experienced a new funny phrase from her. Asa is not walking yet but is crawling and climbing everywhere. A few days ago, he cleared off Lydia’s baby doll bed and crawled right in the middle of it. Lydia and I laughed and laughed as he sat and giggled on the bed. Finally Lydia shouted, “Asa! You are hilarious and hairy!” then fell on the floor laughing hysterically and even snorting a little.

I could not stop laughing and snickered the rest of the day. I could not figure out where she got that phrase, “hilarious and hairy”?!

Then yesterday I read Mem Fox’s Hello Baby!to Asa before bed. I bought this book for Asa’s birthday. It’s a sweet book that begins with the author asking, “Hello, baby. Who are you?” Then she introduces several fun animals and their unique qualities (like a gecko with a rolling eye). It ends by discovering that the baby is not an animal but instead, “my treasure”. The first time I read it, I thought, “Oh, this is cute.” But the more we read it, the more I like it. It’s a wonderful bedtime book because of the charming ending. Plus the illustrations are kind of Eric Carle-ish but more earthy and textured. It’s one of our new favorites.

Anyway, one of the animals in the book is a warthog—HILARIOUS and HAIRY. Lydia had been quoting the book to Asa! I asked her about it and she knew she was quoting the book, “That’s where I got it!” But I didn’t make the connection for days!

This really got me thinking about her little mind. She can memorize things in a second. She can remember everything I say on the phone to my husband. She can remember songs from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She can remember a phrase from a book and then use it in a conversation (even though it may not be quite the right fit!).

Am I saying things that are worthy of mimicking? Am I reading things to her that are worthy of imitation? Are we watching and listening to words that are worthy of memorization?

Lord, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in your eyes. You are my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NIrV