I'll start with my annual anime convention I go to, and how it went with Gwendalyn.
(copy and pasted from my deviantArt journal)
Well, it was a success! Having a baby in tow sure changes things as I suspected it would. Friday was more of a trial run then anything. Firstly we had some issues getting around the new convention centre in the stroller. The elevators were most confusing as some of them went to some floors, and I had to run around to different ones just to get from one end of the building to the next. I think they could have designed it a little better. That and they don't have baby changing tables in the regular bathrooms. Thankfully they did have family washrooms on most of the floors, but they were nothing to write home about.
But other then that, the new convention centre (this was the first year the con was there, it was at SFU before) was very nice. Lovely views of the harbour, lots of light and space, but it was lacking green places.
Anyway, on to the convention itself. Well, as I said, Friday was a trial run, and I mostly spent the day running around with a crying baby trying to find how to get outside But registration was fast and painless this year, so that was good. I even managed to get into most of my cosplay. I did a quick round of the dealers room and Artists Alley, which were in the same big hall. It was great to actually have room to move around! But I sure wish one of the main stages wasn't in the same room as well. It's very hard to talk to people when you have music blaring. And Gwendalyn didn't like it at all! Needless to say, we didn't stay very long that day.
But Saturday was much better! We stayed with my sister Lesha Friday night in Vancouver so we got to the convention much earlier. I managed to get both myself and Gwen into cosplay, but I was so mad because I forgot her hat with ears at home, so we had to improvise. But she was in a better mood all day, and I even got her to nap in the stroller this time. It was also nice that Daddy, Auntie Lesha and Uncle Colin joined us for some photos that day. None of them had a convention pass, but they just wanted to hang out for a bit and check out the cosplayers anyway. We had lots of fun walking around outside taking photos. Once they all left Gwen and I met up with my good friend Rissa and headed back to the dealers room (I made sure to check there was no concert going on).
I wish I had more time to spend in the Artists Alley and hang out with my friends, but it was super busy, and Gwen started to get fussy when we stopped for too long. But I did find some cute things in the dealers room, and I let Gwen pick out a little toy. She grabbed a little Mario mushroom plushie. And I found her the cutest little outfit! I was just looking at some Sailor Moon stuff because Rissa is a huge fan (and I'm a closet fan) and there was a Sailor Moon bathing suite complete with a little hat with buns and pigtails. SO CUTE!!! I could not resist. It was used, but it still had all it's Japanese tags on it, and she won't fit it till next summer I'm sure, but it was only 5 bucks! I was sold. I can't wait till she can wear it ^_^
So it was a good day. And Gwen had so much fun watching everyone, and she got lots of pictures taken. She is such a little camera lover too. I think she is gong to make quite the fine little cosplayer
I didn't run into some of the people I was hoping to see, and I didn't get to hang out with some of you as long as I would have liked, but just the fact that Gwendalyn lasted for over 5 hours made the convention a success. Now I have next year to look forward to when she is walking (o_O
If anyone cares to know, I am dressed as the character Jessica and Gwen is a monster called a Candy Cat from the Playstation 2 game Dragon Quest VIII.
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Ok, on the other things.
We started feeding Gwendalyn solids, and she really likes it. She has been watching us eat for a while now, and seemed to be very interested. So we gave it a try and she cannot get enough of it. It will be lots of fun when we can give her more then just rice cereal.
We also made Daddy a hammock for Father's Day. We all really like it :)
And just yesterday we had our first trip to the beach this summer, and Gwen's first trip to the beach ever! I quickly ran to Sear's to get her a swimsuit, and I got to show off my own new swimsuit too. I love it! I actually feel sexy in a swimsuit!
We went to Chilliwack Lake becuase Cultus is always way too busy. It was beautiful! The water was freezing, and Gwen didn't even like her toes being dipped, but it was great just to lay on the beach and look at the mountians. Even though she didn't like the water, Gwendalyn had fun just being outside, so it was a good day. When the baby is happy, we are happy :)
I has a swimsuit!
Fun in the sun :)
Did not like the cold water on the feets at all.
Ooh, sand.
Daddy fell asleep, but of course Gwendalyn didn't!
