A computer nerd already?

Benjamin is now 8 months old. Sometimes it seems like it has been forever since I've gotten nights of well-rested sleep. The three times he has slept through the night for me thus far, I wake up worried instead of staying asleep! However, more often than not, it seems like the 8 months have flown by. Josh and I are noticing new developments all the time. Over a month ago, we noticed Ben had mastered the concept of object permanence. A couple of weeks ago, Ben found the wireless computer mouse for my laptop and started playing with it. It did not take him more than a couple of minutes to realize that the movement of the mouse would manipulate the screen! Then he started playing with the mouse, but looking at the monitor while doing so... Benjamin now looks out for it and the digital camera. Lucky for me, at this developmental stage, they are only within his reach if I put him or them that way!

This is a photo from two weekends ago, when Ben really started playing with the mouse. He also is very interested in Josh's computer keyboard.



On the Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend, we went to a wedding - Ben's first. It was nice to see some of Josh's friends again. Benjamin went through multiple outfits, but was extremely well-behaved. During the ceremony, he sat next to me in a church pew and was entertained by his cardboard version of Dr. Suess' "Hop on Pop." At the reception, Josh and I were even able to catch a dance - that does not happen too often anymore! Of course the little guy got pretty tired and fell asleep there. Soon after, we headed home. His routine was messed up for a few days - our fault for keeping him up.



The next day, he had a small fever (reached 100.1 F for a couple of hours then went down) and we figured he was teething. Since his fever went away on Sunday, for Memorial Day we drove to Seabrook. Ben got more time in the swing!



Ben loves to look around at plants and so he did that with his Opa Peter.



He then read colorful books with his Oma Angie.



We then went to Sudie's with his Uncles Alex and Aaron, who both had graduated the previous week. Yummy seafood!

It turned out that Ben must have been sick because sure enough, a couple of days later, Josh and I both were sick. There's nothing like having a sickness, a sick husband and a little one who depends on you - that's when you realize parenting really is the one "job" that has no offhours! Ben was really good all week. His routine was off but at least his mood was pleasant - you can't ask for anything better!



Luckily we were almost back to normal for the weekend. I was able to cook quite a bit and Ben enjoyed some bonding time with his Daddy!



Ben cannot pull himself up yet (even from lying down to sitting up), but he can pull to a stand sometimes when he grabs my arms and I move up just a little. He laughs so much when he is able to stand and hold on / drum on to a stable place, like a table or ottoman! He also drums on boxes - he's going to be a noisy one in a few years!