8 months old and a night to remember

It's now 2013, we just spent two weeks in Santa Fe, Niko saw snow (heaps and heaps of snow) for the first time, she now can reach for toys with precision, I discovered a great Hakka restaurant, there are three new cafes serving third wave coffee in my hood, the Chinese are building a new town in the Peruvian Andes 14,000 ft above sea level, blah blah blah.  All of that would have been news worthy in my world, but it's immaterial compared to what happened last night.

Yesterday, Niko turned 8 months old and she slept through the night!  This was the first time in her entire life.  Last night she slept from 9:30pm to 6am.  Up until now, she's been waking up about 5 to 6 times a night.  I suspect that Niko and my bed have a secret alliance, with the sole purpose of seeking satisfying humor by ejecting me from bed repeatedly, night after night, eyes blood shot, hair pasted to my face, skin the colour of cracked concrete, and my night gown soiled by sour milk. The routine involves fixing her bottle, then topping her off on the boob, followed by rocking her for 10 to 20 minutes before she drifts back to sleep.  Repeat 5 to 6 times a night.

I'm realistic.  I don't dare to wish that she will grant me another such night.  But I took many photos of her this morning to capture this event, this feeling.  This is the face of a little girl who slept through the night.

The morning after, I want to remember you like this always.  

Oh! It's midnight.  She just woke up.  After one heavenly night, the old routine continues.