Texas Wild Flowers

We can't deny it. Dayton is a Texan. His birth certificate bares the truth, he was born in Texas. Who would have ever thought that this New Yorker would have a child in Texas? I suppose some would argue that I'm officially a Texan now too as I've now lived in Houston longer than I've lived anywhere in my life. It will be 12 years in September. Mike was inaugurated years ago since he moved here for graduate school over 25 years ago. It's time we embrace the truth. The Dix-Hirschenfang Family are Texans. Ah veh!

Why all this Texans talk? It's wildflower season! Our good friends, Andy, Kathryn, little William (2 years old) and baby Michael (4 months) invited us out to their family's farm about an hour outside of Houston. Sadly, Mike is away travelling but Dayton and I packed up and hit the road. It was well worth the trip that ended up being almost 2 hours long due to all the traffic caused by flower-peepers (a.k.a. people slowing down/pulling over to the side of the road to look and take pictures of the wild flowers). Dayton and I really enjoyed spending time with the Principe family. It was a day of firsts for Dayton. The first time he met a horse, pet a horse, met a chicken, got pecked by a chicken. Those little chickens are quick!

We also got our token photoshoot in the wild flowers. Kathryn, Dayton and I went on an adventure in a go-cart-on-sterioids type vehicle into the 500 acres of land to find the perfect patch. Since neither of us knew where we were going, we cut the the trip a bit short as we did not want to get lost in the woods. It's funny how our risk-taking behavior has dramatically decreased since becoming Moms. Nonetheless, we found the perfect patch and many of the pictures below are the result.

In other news, Dayton was caught standing on his own several times this week. Last night, he found it hysterical as he tested himself standing with no hands as he let go of the edge of the tub (outside the tub, not inside...I'm not crazy). He would lift both his hands, look at me, and let out a squeal before his hands hit the edge again. In other discoveries, he found my teeth last night and thought my pearly whites were a cause for great laughter.

I love being a Mom.

A Very Good Friday

On Good Friday, Dayton's daycare was closed. We got together with friends Ashley and Kimberly at Ashley's house to have a playdate for our kids (and adults). Matthew (6 weeks older than Dayton), Faith (1 1/2 years old) and Dayton had a great time. Hudson, Ashley's dog, and Dayton bonded as you will see from the pics. We even went by MAMs House of Ice at the end of the day for some snowballs! Dayton loved it!

9 Months Old!

There is just so much to post about! At 9 months old, Dayton is walking holding onto any stable (or semi-stable) object he can find. He is so sweet with every being he encounters - - people, children, babies and animals. He remains inquisitive, observant and smiley! When he sees me put on his baby carrier (the bjorn) he races over to me and stands up between my legs and looks up with anticipation that we are about to go on an adventure (most of the time, a walk with the dogs). I don't know what I'm going to do once I can't carry him in the bjorn. I need my two hands free to walk the dogs. I think we may need to find a carrier that has Dayton riding on my back. At his 9 month appointment, Dayton was 19 lbs 6 oz (50%), 28 1/2 inches long (85%) and 18 1/4 inch head circumference. Thank gosh for my personal trainer and pilates that have allowed me to continue carrying Dayton for this long.

Below are Dayton's 9 month pictures as well as a video of him walking behind his wagon. You will see that it's a lot harder to make Dayton sit still! The picture of him crying was taken right after his 'photo session'. I love it because he's wearing the t-shirt Jamie Pete gave us for Dayton's baby shower, Albert Einstein's Superior Genetics.