Aurora Wells

Do you know where your daughter is? Well, if she’s Aurora, she’s wide awake, and hanging out downstairs at Andrew-Bruce’s place with Daddy. The basement is cooler, after all, so we thought it might help her relax. Last night some combination of stuffy nose, warm ambient air temp, teething, and a generally late schedule for the past two weeks conspired to keep Aurora up until 12:30 a.m. Then she was up for the day at 7:30 a.m. We started the bedtime routine just after 9 p.m. – it just didn’t work. Tonight I started the bedtime routine (bath, story, feeding, rocking & lullabies) even earlier, but the girl just wants to have fun, I guess.

Bruce plays a little music to soothe the savage baby.

Finally! Bedtime achieved at 11:30 p.m.!

I hate stooping to the realm of cliché, but it is absolutely irresistible for a Mommy to share a photo of her baby sucking on her own toes. Aurora, ever the ambitious one, tries to fit both feet into her mouth at once. Go, kiddo!

…put me on my tummy?

“Oh well, at least I still have my fingers.”

Aurora had a lot of trouble going down for a morning nap today, and after only 6 hours sleep last night, I was desperate. The afternoon nap, though, made up for a lot. We both fell asleep in the big bed after nursing around 3 pm, and slept for two hours. Yay! When we woke up, though, it was to discover that her diaper had leaked again (Damn those infernal Fuzzi Bunz) and soaked her clothes for the second time today, as well as my sheets.

Aurora, however, was in a great mood. She smiled at me when she woke up, she laughed while I was changing her into the third outfit of the day, a real rarity, and we chatted while Mommy did some cleanup. I thought I’d better get a picture while she’s in such an excellent mood, and guess what? We caught the teeth on film!

Also it was finally warm enough to wear one of the new sunsuits from Grandma Gail. Thanks, Grandma!

Back by popular demand: video!

laughing-at-sneezes

On Friday we headed up to the Sunshine Coast for Katie and André’s fabulous destination wedding, in Egmont, BC. I’ll let the pictures tell the story, since I took so many!

We left our house around 8:30 in a small caravan with the MossLams, Andrew-Bruce, and Katie’s school friend Emily, who came all the way from Montréal. Daddy was excited to take Aurora on her first ferry ride, but the ever-present wind wasn’t much to her liking. Note the white knuckles.

It seems that whenever we cross the Georgia Straight to the Sunshine Coast, we find delicious food wherever we go. This modest chain of eateries, called Wheatberries, boasts pre-made deliciousness (it doesn’t deserve the term “fast-food”) such as their gourmet sandwiches, wraps and *aaaah* Chocolate-Raspberry Scones. We stopped at one in Gibsons for brunch.

Aurora is now big enough to sit in a highchair for meals, but she’s still a bit sketchy on what actually constitutes the “meal”.

The wedding was that evening, held on the deck of the Westcoast Wilderness Lodge in Egmont. Almost every hotel room, B&B, and campsite in the tiny town of Egmont was booked for the guests of the wedding. (We stayed at the very comfortable and beautiful Lakeside Retreat B&B). Luckily, it didn’t rain on us in our finery!

André and Katie were married by their friend Steph, who was ordained just for the occasion.

None of the bridesmaids’ or groomsmen’s outfits matched, but they all went together beautifully. Okay, maybe I’m weird, but I’m so impressed by that sort of thing!

Aurora and Barrett, all dressed up for the occasion. Barrett, of course, retains his iconoclastic style sense with a pair of skull and crossbones legwarmers under his formal pants.

Hitching a ride on Daddies’ shoulders gives the kids a better view of the party.

My contribution? Katie and I designed a table seating chart that uses symbols (i.e., pie, bicycle, kiss) to tell people which table they’re sitting at.

I also designed the labels for the jam they made and gave to each guest.

After emcees Blair and Judith’s demonstrate a showy kiss, André and Katie are obliged to duplicate it!

Having slept only 8.5 hours in the previous 24, Aurora finally conks out after the exquisite dinner, just in time to miss the speeches. Katie provided each of the many tots at the wedding with a personalized gift bag – Aurora immediately took to her turtle buddy!

Later, Aurora shows her appreciation by trying to make off with Katie’s gorgeous necklace.

On Saturday, the most intrepid 60 or 70 of us went for a walk/hike in the woods, to see the famous Skookumchuck Narrows.

Bruce was extremely successful as the first non-family member to feed Aurora. It helps that it was fruit in the jar!

Aurora uses Alex for support as we take in the fantastic sworls of Skookumchuck’s tidal action.

That evening after a BBQ at the lodge, we gathered at the water’s edge below for lawn games, a bonfire, and music. All in all, a fantastic weekend. Thanks again to Katie, André, their families, and everyone else who made it all possible!

For even more pictures, please visit my facebook page!