Like father, like son.

Like his daddy, Benji LOVES the computer and all things related to it. He can use the mouse. He can use the keyboard (so he thinks). And -- as you see in the video -- he can use the mouse ON the keyboard.

--Victoria

Note -- I'm really impressed by his use of the mouse. He knows that it moves the cursor on the screen: you can actually see that he's watching the cursor moving on the screen as he's using the mouse. And he can't even reach the desk without standing on his tippy-toes!

New Words (That!)

Benji's latest new word is "that." Or, more accurately, "THAT!!!"

He mostly uses this when he really means "Please pass me that item that I'm pointing to" but sometimes, like in this video, he uses it when he means "Please take this item that I'm giving you." I look forward to when he can be more specific!

--Victoria

Benji at the Office

Benji's favourite thing to do is play with Daddy's computer and cell phone -- which is not always a good idea. Last weekend, when we were visiting Aaron's family in New Jersey, this problem was solved by Benji's YuriPapa (Aaron's father -- "Papa" is Georgian for grandfather). Yuri found an old keyboard and an old cell phone that weren't being used any more and gave them to Benji. Benji thinks this is the BEST PRESENT EVER. You can see the look of glee on his face in these photos. Aaron gave him an old mouse, and now our coffee table is set up like a toddler office. He'll have clients in no time.

--Victoria

It had to happen...

I've heard the stories. I understand it happens to every family, eventually. The day your baby has a diaper containment failure and happily discovers he can *play* with the contents of his diaper. [I, reportedly, was rather artistic in this regard. And enthusiastic. Sorry, Mum!]

I shouldn't be so amused that this happened on a day when I was in bed sick, leaving Aaron to deal with the clean-up. He didn't only have to clean up Benji (who had poop on his face AND the soles of his feet) but he also had to get out the q-tips and try to dig the baby poop out of the cracks in the old hardwood floor of our rental apartment.

He's my hero. But he's not amused.

New words (Dog)

Benji LOVES dogs. He says "dog" (although it sounds like "doh") whenever he sees a dog, whenever he hears a dog, or whenever he's thinking about dogs. His favourite toy is a dog (named, predictably, "Doh").

--Victoria

Visit to Toronto -- Family Time

The best part about our visit to Toronto was seeing my family -- my parents, my brother Tim and his wife Aileen, and their son Gavin (who was very excited to see his little cousin Benji).

--Victoria

Visit to Toronto -- first TimBit!

One of the highlights of our trip to Toronto last weekend was that Benji spent an entire day with his grandparents, who took him for his inaugural visit to Tim Horton's (Canada's best donut store, and a national institution). He ate his first "TimBit" (donut hole) and pretended to drink from a coffee cup. We were assured that it was empty!

--Victoria

Dinner was SO good . . .

Toe-curlingly good, apparently. (another pre-haircut photo)

Dancing Baby

This is Benji's version of dancing. Or "waving his arms in the air like he just don't care." -- Victoria

Not a fashion plate?

Aaron hates this outfit. He says it makes Benji look like a 1920s wrestler. (Note: these photos were actually taken pre-haircut -- you can see that his curls are getting a little shaggy)

First haircut!

I gave Benji a little trim at the sides a few months ago, but this was his first real haircut -- a general, all-over trim, because his curls were getting shaggy. Aaron was not amused. These photos are both taken after the haircut.

-- Victoria