Every baby goes through that mimic phase wherein they repeat everything every adult within earshot says with often hilarious/embarrassing results. Talking babies show up in television advertising all the time, but I find nothing cute or funny about a 23 month-old swearing after hearing you swear after spilling something.

(photo by Kelsey Combe)

I'm not amused by babies acting like mini adults—in fact, I'm chastened. Because about five months ago baby heard me say "eBay" and repeated the word back at me several times in a row. Sort of cute but more disturbing because then I had to ask myself whether I talk about eBay too often. Probably.

The other day as I arrived at home, the UPS driver pulled up. Baby heard me talking to the delivery man from upstairs and when I went up and explained that I'd been waylaid by a delivery, baby's exact words were, sort of, "Go downstairs. See package."

So there. My sweet, innocent baby not only knows about eBay but he has also noticed the packages that inevitably follow some time on eBay.

I'm currently trying to address my online shopping addiction. Out of the mouths of babes, as they say.