A Very Googs Christmas 2014

Taking a much needed lazy day rest after the hullabaloo of Christmastime!

I really failed at pictures this year, but I'll get to that later. 

I got a cold, a yucky cold, on Monday of this week. Tuesday, I made sure to head to the doctor (after a scheduling mishap) to make sure it wasn't strep. 

As per my life tradition, it wasn't. Just a cold. This meant no antibiotics for a quick recovery, but that I could still go to family Christmas if I felt better the next day. A 6pm bedtime was in order. I slept hard and well enough. I felt so much better Christmas Eve morning!

I had been so, so sad. I really didn't want to miss Christmas. But I felt well enough and I wasn't coughing, so I thought I could make it!

27 week bump and new Black Milk Clothing leggings (fleece lined!!)

We did presents early since Harrison had his nap time and we had to leave right after. I like to do presents on Christmas Eve to keep all the gift giving separate. Christmas morning is nice for Santa surprises and it spreads out the fun. 

Harrison got a lot of nice things, lots of fake food for his kitchen among them. 

Harrison wanted to put his pretend orange in his dad's new mixer. I think he might like baking like his dad :)

We packed up after nap time for the Trombley/Marquis Christmas Eve party. Harrison was spoiled, I too felt spoiled with the gifts I got. Lots of good food was eaten, Harrison played with his cousins and fell in love with their remote control cars, and he ate lots of pickle wraps (so did I :p). Harrison amused everyone by hopping all over the place and being very good natured. He pulled various people to come play with him throughout the night. 

I got some surprise gifts, which I loved. I knew a lot of the stuff I was getting this year, so I wasn't expecting anything else. One was a Frozen BFF necklace/bracelet set for me and my sister xD 

I left my phone in my bag at the party and didn't get any pictures. Fail. 

This one's stolen from my mom. 

After the party, I was beat. Harrison was in bed around 9 and slept great!

More thermal legs! I also got a heated blanket. I just want to be warm!

Christmas Day started with me and Harrison getting up and heading downstairs. He had to wait for daddy before opening Santa presents, but he was allowed to dig through his stocking. Daddy came downstairs while we were wrapping up breakfast and Santa spoiled us. Harrison got more food for his mini kitchen and a Doctor Who potato head!

We hurried to get ready (I was dragging a bit after still being exhausted from the night before) and we headed over to Matt's parents for our little gift giving. 

I got a new camera! I'm so happy. It can do both pictures and video and it's tiny so I can carry it easily and it's blue :) 

Harrison got cheese. Not fake food cheese, real cheese. And he is very happy! It was funny, he opened his first present from uncle Steve and I asked what he thought it was. "Cheese!" But it was books (Winnie the Pooh, Harrison loved it). But the next gift was actually cheese and I just can't. He is so cute and seems so grateful for everything even though he is only two. 

Had to remind him there was plastic still on it. 

After a quick trip back home, we headed out to the big Guglielmi/Huot Christmas party. Harrison would be skipping nap time for this one, so we crossed our fingers for a well behaved child. 

Again Harrison was spoiled, he even got a little riding scooter. I was afraid he wouldn't fit on it anymore, he's so tall, but he did and he loves it!

Harrison was very good, and although I could tell he was a little tired, the energy from the party kept him perky. He bounced around the house, and his cousins and grandpa taught him how to use Nerf guns. Guns of any kind make me a little nervous, but he was having such a fun time. I would just prefer he save most of that until he is old enough to understand that there is a HUGE difference between Nerf guns and real guns. Also, not to shoot at the dog and cat...

I noticed that Matt had disappeared. He was hiding downstairs with a migraine and I felt so bad :( 

Harrison and I managed without him, but man, is my child all over the place xD grandma and grandpa helped a lot. 

When it came time for the dice game, I was in charge for rolling for 3 people. They let me roll for Matt, since he wasn't feeling well, myself and occasionally for Harrison, but he did it mostly on his own. We cleaned up! Between myself and Harrison, we were on a roll! We ended up with around 6 or 7 things, then came the stealing portion of the game. My main goal was to find things for Matt and Harrison. We did really well! Harrison had one little meltdown, when his tiny Nerf gun was stolen for the third time. I tried to explain, that's part if the game. Grandma won it back for him in the end. I also succeeded in winning a tiny Portal companion cube for Matt. And my jar of Hershey kisses w/cherry flavor never left my side. The dice game is always very exciting. It worked in Harrison's favor that there were things only he would want, like a Mickey Mouse toy rocket and dinosaur light that roars. 

Matt was able to rejoin the party eventually and was still able to enjoy dessert and family time. 

Because it was mostly myself chasing Harrison around the party, I ended up leaving my camera put away. Fail. It was too much to take on both, I barely sat down. I have since attached my new Frozen lanyard to it to make it easier to carry. 

We were actually not the first to leave this party. Harrison was still in a good mood when we left, though a little hyper. I was ready to crash. He didn't nap on the way home like I was hoping, but he was really good the rest if the night anyway. 

Matt and I finished off our night with popcorn and the Doctor Who Christmas special (which I enjoyed immensely) and then I was pretty much ready for bed. 

I really need to rest up and shake the rest of this cold. Today has been exhausting, even though I almost got a nap (laid in bed, but couldn't really sleep), and I haven't done much else. 

Here's Harrison's food haul  

He'll be a master chef yet!

He also got this cool wheel board. Harrison is already excellent at matching his colors. 

I really hope everyone had a Merry Christmas (or whatever you celebrate)! Next year we'll have another addition to our family and Harrison has already said that he is going to get Sammy cheese for Christmas next year. 

Happy Holidays!

Harrison turns 2!

Yesterday was Harrison's second birthday and he seemed to have a great time. 

He got to pick his favorite food (macaroni and cheese) for lunch and then saved some room for his early dinner at his party. 

We did a small party this year, just immediate family. It's hard planning events so close to the holidays, which is why we plan on continuing the tradition of a half birthday for him. 

He got some fun gifts (lots of Curious George and Olaf), Papa Murphy's pizza (he ate berries instead) and a Winnie the Pooh cake that he picked himself. Harrison reveled in the singing of Happy Birthday and was so excited to blow out candles. 

I made him a pair of pajamas. He always talks about my owl printed pajamas and I asked if he wanted some. However, finding owl printed toddler safe pajama fabric is hard. Most owl print is bright pink, which I didn't think Harrison would appreciate. I thought I found a great one, but it was horrible feeling fabric. Ended up with penguins instead, which he calls owls anyway. He seems extremely happy with them :D They're a little big, but then he might even be able to keep these around for next winter as well. 

Thank you to the grandparents and great grandparents! Harrison had a great day!

Today was a different story. A story of runny noses, watery eyes and sobbing after dinner (not me this time). Harrison caught a cold and had a somewhat miserable day. Hopefully he is a little better tomorrow. 

Hopefully I am too. I felt miserable today, but not a cold. Had some more nausea and just can't shake the tired (like double vision tired). I think I need more of a routine. And a healthier diet. I just want sugar ALL THE TIME. I would have kept up with my yoga DVD, but then I fell on my tailbone. I could probably give it a go tomorrow, it's feeling much better. 

I'm in a slump. A bad slump. What to do?! I just lack motivation for everything aside from just keeping up with Harrison. 

24 Week Update

I had my follow up ultrasound this morning and it went pretty well. While my placenta is still low, it's moving out of the way in the right direction. My tighter restrictions have been lifted and I think I picked Harrison up ten times after we got home. This means that I won't end up on bed rest and, barring other complications, I should be clear from a c-section. 

Round ligament pain is, well, a pain. Not severe, and I brought it up to the doctor, but it's just nagging and comes in bursts throughout the day. 

Though today has been a rough day, I've been feeling much better on a whole. I think my mood today has less to do with the pregnancy and more to do with the weather. I get the SAD every winter and I should probably look into one of those special lamps. My motivation and energy are completely zapped and I'm sure it's more than being pregnant. I also get really crabby when I'm like this. I don't like being crabby. 

That all being said, since I've been feeling less sick, my excitement is growing! I'm so excited to have another baby! Every time I see a baby, I get a gushy and ecstatic. I love babies! Also, Harrison learned how to say 'baby' this morning, and it's adorable. :) 

He is mastering words with more than one syllable. Instead of calling me 'mama', now he calls me 'mommy' and seems very proud about it. He also has daddy (instead of dada), yellow, and green added to his vocabulary. Most of his words are still indecipherable, but I seem to be able to translate okay. 

First time at Macy's Santaland. Had fun, but it was short and Harrison's favorite part was the gift shop. 

Harrison did business at grandpa's office.

Cutie!

Writing his letter to Santa. 

Costco! (I had him say 'kitty' for the picture, this made him happy!)

Ramblings of a Pregnant Insomniac Pt. 1

Ever wake up at 4 in the morning wide awake  and paranoid. Paranoid about everything? Now I am sitting here, watching Torchwood and eating a clementine. 

Harrison is the best little boy ever. He moved into his big boy bed today and went down without a hitch. We nixed the box spring because the bed was just too high with it. It took him awhile to fall asleep, but he looked content and contemplative the whole time. He didn't get out of bed, didn't cry or fight bedtime, it was a completely normal night. Except I worry. Worry he has too much bedding, a new pillow, that he'll fall out. 

Matt woke up around 4 as well and came to check the moniter. I had checked a couple of times and while I couldn't make him out (just looks the lumps of fabric) Harrison seemed to be rolling around and sleeping well. I'm still paranoid and I went to check on him. It's a good thing I did. He was at the end of the bed, a half inch from the edge. We'll have to add a border at the end now (the foot board is low). I plopped him back at the top and he went back to sleep. Hopefully he won't make it to he edge again in the next couple of hours. 

Harrison switching beds is not the only thing I keep thinking about, though. I'm getting increasingly nervous for my next doctor appt where they will check my placenta previa status. While I know I am probably going to be fine, it's been weighing on me and I feel like there is no one I can really talk to about it. I had a nightmare the other night about it, that my placenta detached early and I went into early labor and it was terrifying. 

It doesn't help that while perusing the internet you come across the articles, however you might try to avoid, about the parents who lose their babies preterm or even the rare case of the mothers dying of childbirth related complications (yeah, found that one yesterday..)  

See, while most women with a marginal placenta previa are just fine, if it stays the way it is, it's not only a complication for my son, but also for me. So I'm a little paranoid right now. 

I'm also rubbish at 'taking it easy'. While I've been trying to watch what i lift, how I move, I find myself bogged down by needing to accomplish all of my daily tasks. Grocery shopping requires more lifting than I had thought, doing laundry and while I haven't been carrying Harrison, I do have to lift him in and out of the car, his high chair and various other activities through the day (it's a big reason we got him a bed, that and Harrison had started trying to swing his leg over the edge of his crib...). I get twinges and slight abdominal pain. Nothing serious, most likely round ligament pain, which the doctor forewarned me about. It still makes me concerned that I am doing too much.  

The thought of ending up on bed rest is also scary, because I feel like I need to do things. I hate not doing things. 

I felt like I needed to write this all out, clear my thoughts, try and help my anxiety. I can't sleep when I'm anxious. Obviously. At least Matt's been great. I don't tell him enough. He mostly arrives in time for one of my breakdowns, when I'm at the end of my day, the end of my tether.  

Hopefully this Pt. 1 doesn't have a Pt. 2 anytime soon. I like sleeping better.  

22 Weeks

Harrison peed on the potty! Twice! We're not really trying to potty train, but he was so eager about the toilet that I got him a potty seat. He uses it a few times a day for fun, but didn't have any success until a couple nights ago. He loves it! We're still not planning on fully potty training for awhile, but it's a good start. 

As of last week, I can say I am feeling better. Probably not as well as many pregnant women during their second trimester, but I'll take it. I'm on zofran about every other day now, no more sea bands (my wrists are grateful!) and I can finally take my prenatal vitamin.  Also, at my last appt, the nurse said I am almost back up to my pre baby weight, so now I can start gaining. I didn't realize how much I lost during the first trimester, but something between 5-10 pounds. 

I'm also slightly trying to be a bit healthier. My food intake hasn't been the best, since eating what I craved helped nausea. But I can drink water (lots if water!) again and I'm going to avoid the high amount of sugar I had been consuming. Not eliminate it, just watch how much I eat (Halloween candy is still hovering around). 

Is it spring yet? Cause I'm ready for winter to be over (and for my baby to be here.)

I just want to be warm. I am cold all the time. Almost everything I have asked for Christmas is heat related (blankets, thermal leggings, flannel sheets...). My owl onsie is keeping me warm at the moment, but it's probably not the best idea to live in it for the next 6 months. 

Speaking of blankets, Harrison's bedding arrived! Operation "Harrison gets a big kid bed" starts on Friday! Wish us luck!

It's A...!

BOY! I was completely wrong! I was convinced we were having a girl, but there you have it! Harrison will have a little brother and it will be excellent!

We'll be welcoming Samuel Thomas (Sam) in March 2015.

Harrison was allowed to come to the ultrasound and see his little brother. Little brother was not shy, was quick to let us know he was a boy and then kept wiggling throughout the entire appointment. Kid does not sit still. Harrison didn't stay the whole time, but left with my mom so we could finish up our 70 minute appointment and then go to the follow up.

The baby is developing well, no concerns where he is. All ten fingers and ten toes.

When the doctor came in to talk to us, this is the first thing she said. But she had "But" face. Currently, I have what's called Marginal Placenta Previa, which means my placenta is sitting too low in my uterus, partially in the way of the cervix and could cause complications later on (especially for delivery). It's fairly common and most of the time, it resolves itself and the placenta will move out of the way as the uterus expands, so it's not an immediate concern. I do have to go in again in 4 weeks for another ultrasound to see if it's starting to resolve. I cannot do any heavy lifting (including Harrison) and just have to be careful and watch for any spotting. If it doesn't move, I could end up on bed rest in the third trimester and be scheduled for a c-section. My status: try to stay relaxed and calm. Which I am, but I really do have to watch how much energy I am exerting. 

At least now I can breathe a sigh of relief just knowing that we're having a boy. I was getting so anxious just not knowing. I NEEDED TO KNOW! So excited for Monkey #2! 

Is it March yet?

Baby Room

I haven't dealt with depression for a very long time. I had it when I was pretty young, but faded when I reached teen age. The anxiety stuck around, but I'm more or less used to that. 

I haven't dealt with depression in a very long time, but I've felt it over the last few days. It's small and I know it'll fade quickly. I didn't know I would be so saddened by giving up my sewing room. It's time for us to prepare the new baby's room and it needs a lot of work. I have relocated to a small corner of the basement. 

I had to give up "my space" and while I know I was lucky to have that for so long, it's more than just the room. Sewing is how I make a living. I've decided to take a hiatus, not taking on any commissions for awhile, but I still plan on sewing for myself and possibly etsy. I will have to be a lot more careful about the things I leave out. No more scissors , pins or projects, I can't just close a door. 

I know it'll pass, I'm really starting to get into nesting. But change is hard. I know someday, when we move to a somewhat larger home that I will also feel this way. I'll be sad and sentimental. It's who I am. 

That sad, I must also put "I was right." Harrison learning the word "No" went from being pretty cute to intolerable very, very quickly. Tha last few days "No, no, no!"

"Ready for lunch, Harrison?"

"No."

"Can you pick a story, Harrison?"

"No"

"Harrison, it's time for a bath!"

"No."

"Let's change your diaper."

"No no no!"

It had devolved into full on tantrums. It's like just learning how to say the word has given him a new sense of defiance. So many meltdowns. Time outs. And he was grounded from any Halloween candy yesterday. Hopefully, this newfound defiance will grow boring he'll go back to normal. Or he's hit terrible twos a little early. He is currently sitting in his crib saying "No." 

But he did try to use the toilet the other day. He didn't actually go, but he asked to use it and I figured "sure!" It was cute, and I think I'm going to get him a little potty so he can get used to the idea. We don't have any plans to potty train soon, but if Harrison wants to, we might give it a shot. 

Here's some pictures from our awesome Halloween! 

Pumpkin painting, the parade, Zoo Boo, Moms Club party, and taking Harrison Trick or Treating for the first time. It was a great year for my favorite holiday! 

Now it's Christmastime according to retail. 

*Edit*

Also, I'm apparently 20 weeks today! Halfway there!! Two days until we find out boy or girl! Any guesses?

Movin' and Shakin'

I'm only 16 weeks and it feels like I have a gerbal in my stomach. I didn't feel any movement until I was 19 weeks with Harrison, but this one is rolling somersaults. Either my body just knows what it feels like and can tell the difference between baby and gas, or this baby is extra rolly/strong. Still pretty awesome though. 

My nausea is still about the same, but since I started wearing sea bands every day, I haven't thrown up. I've been able to cut down to one zofran a day as well, but that's partially because our insurance doesn't want to cover meds as often and I am waiting for a prior authorization to go through, so I don't want to run out again if the company refuses to accept. Medical stuff is a pain. 

4 more weeks until we find out boy/girl. Thinking about having another reveal party because cake. Cake is always a good excuse. 

I got Papa Murphy's pizza last night and then our house smelled like pizza for the rest of it and it was delightful. 

Matt has all of next week off (yay!) so we have some fun plans. We're going to visit a pumpkin patch/corn maze with Harrison and Matt and I are going to take a small anniversary road trip to House on the Rock in Wisconsin. I'm so excited!

 

His hair is going crazy! Time for a hair cut?

Almost out??

I will be 14 weeks tomorrow, traditionally the beginning of the second trimester and I have never felt worse. 

Seriously. The past few days have been a struggle, balancing my sewing work, toddler wrangling and resting so I'm keeping my food down.  I'm pretty sure I'm mildly dehydrated. I want to chug water SO BAD. But I can't. I can sip and even that makes the nausea worse. Zofran helps for a good hour, two if I'm lucky, but I can only take it twice a day. I've tried everything. Peppermint worked for awhile, but not anymore. I hate ginger. No B6 for me. Carbs. Ginger ale. I've stopped taking my prenatals for the time being and I'll hopefully get back on those soon. No iron though. Iron is the worst so I only add a little extra by way of foods. 

Harrison has a cold. It's not too bad, runny nose and small cough. I just hope I don't get it, last thing I need. 

Time has slowed significantly. I keep waiting for it to speed up because everyone says "the second one goes so fast!" I just want to feel better. Is it march yet?

Harrison keeps doing cute things. He loves to ask for his favorite book "Do Da Do" (Go Dog Go). He babbles a lot more. Sometimes I understand, but I mostly pretend. He also loves to run. So much. He spent yesterday afternoon chasing Ivy around my parents yard and this morning running back and forth from me to the stairs. 

Maybe I'll have the energy to take him outside later. 

It's been a month and I have yet to pick a birthday present. I've been buying little things with my birthday money (Funko Pop!)  I was going to wait for Black Milks Halloween line, but I find it disappointing and won't be getting anything from it. So.. Now I want another American Girl doll. Because I am perpetually 10. And if I'm having another boy, I have to continue to buy all the girly things for myself. I'm just torn between two:

I'm gonna go to the store at MoA and decide. 

Which brought about an idea to make doll clothes while I break from commissions. I can use fabric I already have, do things that are less common like sci fi, fantasy, super heroes and some more common like disney. I can put things up on etsy after I have them finished, then there's no time frame I have to make. 

Here's Matt showing Harrison how to 3DS. Is it really only Tuesday?

 

Too Sick, Too Busy

I realize I haven't yet written about this pregnancy. I was mostly afraid to write throughout August because we weren't planning on announcing until the end. So, here I am! 11 weeks!

Being pregnant and watching a toddler all day is hard. I feel awful for two reasons. One: I'm more sick than I was with Harrison, every day, all the time. Two: I'm a bum because I feel so sick and I have a harder time playing with him. I feel like a terrible parent. The othe day, moving made the difference between vomiting and not vomiting, but Harrison gets so upset when I lay on the couch. He's not to the point where he can play peacefully by himself. Matt was a saint and came home a little early and took over for the rest of the evening. I got to take a bath and head to bed early, both of which I needed. Seriously. Harrison was sniffing me half the day and nodded when I asked if I was stinky...

Zofran is only helping a little and I have been taking it twice a day for the little relief it brings. 

Pepper is sick. She keeps having tummy issues and I hope this round of medication goes smooth and clears it up. She is my furry baby and I love her. 

It's only the beginning of September and I am already so excited for Halloween! I want to dress as Elsa, but I am already showing and I don't think it's going to be possible. I'll be around 18 weeks by Halloween and I'll have a decent bump by then. I wanted Harrison to be Olaf, but might end up changing our plan so we coordinate :)

Harrison will not be trick or treating yet this year. I've decided that he has to be able to say "Trick or Treat" well enough to do so. So, probably next year. 

I hope we get kids this year. We had zero stops last year, I was so sad. I dream of the day when we're in a new neighborhood, not on a busy street and we can make a whole spectacle out of Halloween and all the kids want to come to our house!

August feels like a blur. Not because it went fast, the month took forever, but because so much happened. 

* We found out we're having another baby. And this time I was totally convinced I wasn't pregnant yet. 

* My grandparents finally sold the cabin. It was hard to say goodbye, but such a long time coming made it a little easier. That cabin weekend was great because almost the whole family came up and it was reminiscent of when I was little. Harrison had a blast, playing in the lake and with my cousins. He looked a little confused when we were all crying in the car when we left. 

* We took Harrison to the State Fair for the first time. It was pretty fun, but I probably won't care to go again for another 20 years. Harrison was very well behaved and the deep fried pickles were all I've ever dreamed off. 

* I had my birthday. Didn't do much for it, went out to dinner (which barely stayed down until I got home).  

* Went to Ren Fest. Technically September, but still Labor Day and so officially still summer (and when I say official, I mean MN official. Our seasons don't go by the calendar). The day was wonderful! It was really nice out and I ate ALL THE FOOD. We plan on going again and maybe taking Harrison on the last day, but it depends on the weather.  

I love Fall and Fall weather. This cool front that's moved in feels so nice. I'll be grouchy when it gets too cold, but for now I am happy. 

Also, Harrison learned a new word this week- "Uffdah!"

I had carried him in from the car and set him down. I said "Uffdah" because he is getting heavy and he responded with "Uff-Ah!" He's been saying it ever since. He is now a true Minnesotan!

And here he is wearing Matts shoes and wanting to go outside. 

Summer's over and I'm okay with that. I love fall and Halloween (which encompasses all of October, not just the 31st). I'm also getting close to the end of the first trimester and hoping the nausea subsides. I had a good day this week, followed by some very bad days. 

Now it's Saturday! And we have no official plans aside from Doctor Who! Hoping for another good day!

CONvergence 2014

ConConConCon

I have had Con on the brain for months, as the costuming process has consumed almost every bit of my life (and every moment of my free time). Here is a breakdown of CONvergence and the weeks leading up to what is always the best weekend out of the year:

Weeks leading up to con:
Sewing
Gluing
Gluing
Headache from glue fumes
Harrison is 18 months, is in the 95% for height (which is why he is in 2T clothing already)
More gluing
I decide I am entering by myself in the Con Masquerade for the first time.
More gluing

Then, it's time for CONvergence:

Wednesday 

I went up to the convention on Wednesday to pick up my badge early, volunteer a bit and go to a Social Media Department meeting. Giddy with excitement, I pick up my badge within 5 minutes, no problems there. I head to the volunteer table, where they tell me they have nothing for volunteers to do at the moment... Agh.. It was only about 3:00 and my meeting wasn't until 8:30. Luckily, I ran into Jessa and her friends who run The Prancing Pony and was able to volunteer a little, help setting up and playing My Little Pony with a toddler :) It was a good time! I also offered assistance for Friday night at the room, which we'll come to later.

8:30 rolled around and we met upstairs in the hotel. It was a fun meeting with many delicious snacks. Then I had to drive home.

Thursday:

Con is here!!! We were all up bright and early, having already packed. I went through everything twice making sure I didn't forget to bring anything to the hotel and traveling with a toddler always makes things more interesting. Harrison got his own Thomas the Tank Engine backpack for the weekend (he picked it out himself- Trains are the new airplane). We were at the hotel by 10, giving Matt a chance to get his badge without having to wait in any sort of line.

Harrison met a little boy his age, also a red head, and they became fast friends running up and down the Garden Court ramp together. Thursday morning was nice because there were so few people around, Harrison had some free reign to explore.

Harrison ate his first real fast food lunch at Burger King. He got a crown and a toy and was rather happy about it. Our hotel room was ready at 1:00, two hours early, so Harrison was able to take a nap and not be crazy fussy the whole day. His nap was so silly. I was in charge of putting up down, it took and hour for him to fall asleep. He kept sitting up and talking to himself, but he slept pretty well.

After nap time, we went back downstairs and met jedi Matt. We got a great picture with all the jedi dads that happen to be in the garden court.

By 6, Harrison was at the end of his tether and Matt took up upstairs to calm down. I went up at 7 to do bathtime and bedtime (this time it took an hour and a half to fall asleep) and Matt relieved me of my baby duties at 10. I was able to head back downstairs for some fun times. I made it until about 12:30 in the morning.

Friday:

Matt got up early with Harrison. I was grateful as I had a hard time sleeping while Harrison rolled into/kicked me all night. We did con things all morning, the usual Dealers Room (Harrison saw a lot of Pikachu stuff and was very excited by it), Consuite etc. I was dressed as Dean Winchester, Megan was Sam. Harrison finally changed out of his pajamas into Ash Ketchum. We stopped often to talk with friends. Harrison got a very awesome set of foam dice from Moondoggy and Pete (Thank You!). He has since tried to eat them...

I got some pictures at a large Supernatural meet-up right before Supernatural themed Yoga Quest. I didn't participate, but the leader was dressed at Dean Winchester from the Gym Teacher episode.

Matt did nap time so I could make it to my first live-tweeting panel of the weekend. It was "You Can't Cosplay That" discussing current social standards for cosplayers and the horrible bullying that can happen if you don't "look like the character". It was a lot of preaching to the choir, but it was a very good panel all the same.

Harrison was set to be picked up at 6:00 and he wore his costume downstairs for grandma and grandpa to see. He was very good about going with them, no tears and I was told he was very well behaved all weekend. After that, Matt and I were free to run around without worrying whether Harrison was well taken care or not. We were able to take in a dinner at TGIF without too long of a wait (AMAZING!) and ate real food (not Burger King). After dinner, I changed into my Arwen gown and headed to the Prancing Pony for some volunteer hours.

I stood outside the room for two hours, goading passers by into coming in and partaking in 1919 root beer. It was really fun! I got to people watch and interact with others, see some old friends who were enjoying their first year at Con (Dante & Richard!). I also made a new sister, as we had almost matching dresses! It was awesome! Plus, cucumber water is very good :)

Matt was at the room to collect me at 11, and we went around the convention, finding friends, visiting party rooms. I think Matt and I headed upstairs around 1, but I don't really remember. I had to be up the next morning for Masquerade orientation. I slept so well, it was great!

Saturday:

I am up before my alarm and double checking the time for orientation. There were two printed times, so I made sure I was downstairs (in my owl onsie) by 9. Orientation was quick and nerve racking. I cannot describe to you the level of anxiety I had about competing on this day and the days leading up to it. I had not been that tense in a long time.

After orientation, I run upstairs and start the process of getting ready for my workmanship judging, which was at 1:00. Megan was going to assist my in my "skit" so she was coming with my to my time slot. Matt came back upstairs after breakfast and I helped him into his Data wig and make-up, which was great! He looked just like Brent Spiner! I took almost the whole two hours I had left to get ready into Elsa. My hair and make-up took awhile, and while the costume was pretty quick, it was a bit of effort to get on (I also can't do it by myself).

Megan and I are in the green room early, but we don't have to wait long. We get to run our tech first, which goes well. Megan does her thing of rolling my snowball on stage and we get a giggle from the tech crew, so it's a thumbs up. After running through the skit, I have to wait only about 5 minutes before the judges are ready to talk about my costume. I had put all my progress pictures on my iPad, so I remember what to talk about. It went really well! at the time, I was so nervous and wouldn't admit to myself that it went well. I've had decent reactions from Workmanship judges in the past, but still didn't win anything. I also forgot to show off my snowball...

I stayed in the costume for about another hour, took some pictures, met with friends and then changed until the evening show. I was too afraid I would get something on it, or it would get stepped on. I finally got to eat something, I had been way too nervous before the pre-judging to eat anything. I bought some new con merchandise (Gargoyles theme T and CONvergence Alumni sweater). It wasn't long until I had to change back into Elsa.

I was so nervous. I kept warning everyone that I might pee, I was so nervous. I sat backstage shaking, hoping that I would be in the queue early for the show. I was third from last... but the show went by so quick, it didn't feel long. I made some backstage buddies (Astrid was awesome! Her costume was so amazing!). I had a lot of people coming up to me, checking on me, so I probably looked about as nervous as I felt. I felt very loved when my whole group of friends came backstage to wish me luck :)

My skit went on without a hitch, we got a good laugh when Megan rolled the ball on stage. I'm really glad I didn't trip in those shoes. After I was off stage, I felt so much better about everything. Now we only had to wait for the judges deliberations (two of the skit judges were Yancey and Damon and I had a total nervous moment when I learned about that- they are exceptional costumers with talents I can only hope to one day match). This was a much easier part of the night. I honestly didn't care too much if I won (maybe a little), but I honsetly, honestly didn't think I was going to win anything (there were so many amazing costumes and I am sure plenty of them worked just as hard and used techniques I never even thought of). When they called the names of winners to the door, the list was long and I was called last. We didn't know what we won, but we had to be prepared to go on stage (my first thought when I was called was "I have to go on stage again...").

I won BEST JOURNEYMAN!!!

I cannot describe the level of disbelief. I held it together until I got off stage, then I cried. I finally felt justified as a costumer. This was my 13th year at CONvergence and my 9th time competing in the masquerade (5th time as journeyman?) and I just felt like I had been working at this for so long and it just feels like a reward for all of that rather than just the one costume. I am officially in the Master category for competing in the future. Though, after the anxiety of doing it by myself I don't think I will be doing it for awhile.

When we exited for the photo ops, Sean was waiting right outside and proved he was louder than any mob of people. Once I reached the my group of friends, cheers erupted, Sean yelled things like "Who are you wearing? Who's your designer? What's your next project?" which was hilarious! I was informed that everyone playing the masquerade drinking game had to take a shot when I won, I was happy to assist in their shenanigans.

The rest of the night I felt so giddy and happy. I was walking on clouds. My costume was also super fun to wear. I got a picture on the Iron Throne, which was a goal of mine from day 1. I went to party rooms, had a snow cone ;) and avoided thinking about the fact that the next day was Sunday. We went over by Cinema Rex when we needed a break from the loud, noisy party area (which Amy Berg referred to as The Circuit, a name I completely think the convention should adopt). I ate so much junk food, I had barely eaten all day due to anxiety and after the masquerade I felt super hungry.

I made it until 1:30, when I gave in to the tireds and went upstairs. I new it would take me awhile to get ready for bed, with how much make-up I had on and my wig and hair. (I got a lot of compliments on my wig, which made me really excited! I really enjoyed playing with fake hair :))

Sunday:

Short and sweet. We were up and out of the hotel room. I was dressed as Hipster Elsa. I live tweeted a penl with Amy Berg, Paul Cornell and Joseph Scrimshaw. It was hilarious and fun. Then I had a post-masquerade meet-up, where we got to talk shortly about our costumes. I really hope I get to volunteer for masq next year, even though I don't want to compete, I want to be involved.

We finished our convention at Consuite, eating Davanni's and chatting with the handful of us left at the hotel. We left at 3:00, had to get home to Harrison who was unimpressed at our arrival. Though, he was certainly happy to be back in his own bed.

It wasn't until I got home that I realized I didn't really get any pictures of the commissions I made for the convention. My biggest regret every year is not getting enough pictures/videos, but there's just so much going! I might organize a cosplay photo shoot at my house this summer. Any interest?

Now I cannot wait until next year. Tentatively, I am not planning on taking any commissions. There are so many things I would like to get done and take part of in the next year that I am taking a hiatus. I am excited to sew for my friends' wedding this fall, a nice change from the crafty sci-fi/fantasy costumes back to bridal wear.

Hope you all at a great 4th of July weekend!