My husband was the bardic champion last year and needed to be there to run the competition for the new one, and I am head of the dance guild and was supposed to be there to teach dance. Hubby felt well enough to go (though he probably should have stayed home), but Freya was still miserable and I was feverish and achy and not fit for anything. Thank goodness, Baron Aelwynn of Loch Salann volunteered to teach the dancing (I had already arranged music, chose the dance program, and wrote up instructions of all the dances), so I thought I was off the hook. The event ran from 1pm to midnight, and it was about 5 pm that I got a text saying my presence was "strongly encouraged" and hinting that hubby might be receiving an award.
I was annoyed, and torn, and it was Freya's bedtime, and I felt obligated, and had no one to watch the baby, so I put some garb on myself and dragged both of us (her in the mundane outfit she already had on) to the event. I think if anyone realized how sick we were they never would have pushed us to attend, and when I walked into the beautiful site with a screaming baby the then Queen (a nurse in her mundane life) saw us she said "You didn't have to come if you're sick." I groaned inwardly, comforted the baby, and found a place to sit until court. Freya got hungry (as she often does, and did, especially as a rather small baby), so I threw a blanket over my shoulder and started nursing her (Roman garb is great for that!). It was at that moment that we *both* got called up to the thrones. I looked down at the happily nursing and dozing sick baby, got up, and approached the thrones with her still on the breast. The king was somewhat taken aback, the queen was entertained, and they were happy for us to stay standing, which was probably the only option given a still healing c-section and an actively breastfeeding baby.
Lord Aonghus and I were both awarded with Golden Pillars of Artemisia, the Award of Arms-level service award. I felt like it was one more moment to check of my list of "odd times to breastfeed your baby," which now also includes leaning over her carseat so she can nurse while the car is moving and while lying on the floor doing yoga. Anyway, the award was a big honor, and I've since heard from several other ladies who have accepted awards while breastfeeding, but I certainly hadn't ever seen it happen. Mistress Gilliana made me a beautiful scroll, though I've yet to receive the token (they're all out, apparently). I admit, Freya and I basically fled home to bed as soon as court was over, and it was quite a while before I got back on my feet again. When Aonghus finally made it home he informed me I won Lady of Color for Or (favorite gold-colored garb), and he was also given a token to give to Freya as a memento of her first SCA event. Photos, courtesy of my sister Lady Thora, are below.
I actually caught another strain of flu (people tell me it's a year where many have gotten both Influenza A and B) after coming back to work, but thankfully Freya dodged that one. I have to admit, it was a tough winter at our house.
Next up: baby garb, photos, and planning for our next event with 100% less plague.