"They're back"

Yesterday, Doug and I ventured out for Valentines Day lunch, without Emma, for the very first time since returning from China.  Gramma Cheryl came to to watch Emma for us and when we left, we didn't sneak out, but kissed Emma and said, "bye-bye, we'll be back".  She started to whimper a little, but Gramma scooped her up and ran to the bay window to wave to us as we left which immediately calmed her down.  We pulled out of the driveway with Emma smiling and kissing the window as we drove off.

We had a wonderful lunch at First Watch, just the two of us... it felt odd, but wonderful all at the same time to be eating and not managing E. at the same time.  When we returned, Emma gave us quite the greeting and said, "They're back".  We looked at one another in astonishment because we don't know how she put those words together because no one had said, "They're back".  It is becoming very clear over the last few weeks that sentences are right around the corner and are just waiting to erupt.  Everyday Emma repeats 3-5 word portions of sentences I say which throws me for a loop everytime, i.e., "no big deal" and she's also trying to sing the Barney song.  I need to start writing these surprise bursts of language down because by the time Doug makes it home at night, I can't remember what she has said.