A Week with the Hirschenfangs

It occurred to me about a month ago that since I'm working mainly from home - - 'home' could be anywhere! I quickly booked Dayton and I on a flight to New Jersey to visit the Hirschenfang side of the family and meet the new member, Daniel. Namie was still on summer break from her job so she could take care of Dayton while I worked. We needed a break from the 100+ degree heat of Houston. Fabulous!

Between walking around NYC, playgrounds galore, naps in his stroller while Namie, Bebop and I lunched, the zoo, visits from Aunt Sandi, Aunt Phyllis, Jenna, Joe, sleepovers at cousin Annabel's, Aunt Sandi's, swimming in pools big and small, AND a surprise engagement celebration for Jenna and David with cousins Celia, Bruce, Allie, Emily and Joey - - - - Dayton had a blast. Phew!

Of course, in all our fun, we did miss Dayton's Daddy/my handsome and his four-legged siblings Mikki, Piper and Tiger.

Dayton stays up to date with Namie and Bebop over skype. Check out the video at the bottom of this post of him chatting away to Namie last night.

A Reflection of Dayton's First Year

Our wonderful friend and photographer, Shaniece, presented us with an amazing slide show of Dayton's first year. The compilation begins with my pregnancy shoot and streams through Dayton's one-year birthday. Below are a few teaser shots.

Thank you, Shaniece, for this amazing gift we will cherish forever.

The slide show is set to music so make sure to turn your volume on. It is 8 minutes long.

Click here to begin: http://www.shaniecephotographer.com/#/daytonyearone/

Dayton's First Call to 911

Last week, as I was changing Dayton's diaper one last time before heading to the airport to go to New Jersey, I handed Dayton my cell phone. A proven distraction technique.

I always lock my phone to make sure he cannot call out, etc - - - apparently this time, I did not.

As he pushed the buttons on my phone (with a touch of slobbering) I thought nothing of it.

My phone rang.

Before I could get it, Dayton touched a button and it stopped.

I handed the phone back to him and continued changing him.

It rang again.

This time, I picked up.

"Mam, this is the 911 Emergency Line. Your son just called us and it is our obligation to call you back".

Startled, I explained to the woman that Dayton had been playing with my phone and I was very sorry for the call. Apparently, this must happen all the time because she knew what was going on before I did.

Please note that there is not a single button on my phone to call 911. Dayton must have hit 9-1-1 and the call button in the perfectly right order.

I'm so proud - - - I think.