Because I must travel for work, I run the risk of being absent for some of L’s biggest milestones. Before this weekend, I had (somehow) managed missed no major accomplishments. Then, while I was in Las Vegas as part of an annual March Madness trip, the baby decided to speak her first words.

The phrase: “Bye Bye.” I know this because, in the perhaps biggest stroke of luck all weekend, I was on the phone with Powergirl when the baby decided to play along and bid me farewell.

The moment was so incredible that, well, I couldn’t believe my ears. After the baby’s first “bye bye,” I accused Powergirl of duping me. After her third “bye bye,” I was convinced my wife had set up some sort of audio loop.

But by the fifth time the baby chirped her magic words, I was literally bursting with excitement from the casino floor, randomly shouting at strangers (who must have thought I was nuts) about what had just ensued on the other end of the phone. I told some friends. I told the ticket writers. I even recounted the story to a blackjack dealer or two.

(I was, however, disappointed the baby didn’t tell me to bet on Northern Iowa to upset Kansas.)

Was I bummed to miss this event? Absolutely. But I’ve got to admit: experiencing this milestone on the phone was almost as good as hearing the words in person.

As for that later feat, there’s still time; though the baby went “bye bye” crazy on Friday night, she hasn’t said the words once since then. When she repeats them, you better believe I’ll be ready. Thankfully, I’m not traveling anywhere now for a while.