My Spontaneous Road Trip Out of the Country AKA The Best Weekend EVA!

Friday morning, I packed up the Taurus, made sure she was filled with enough food for a 4 hour adventure (which by now you know is a lot of food), and headed to work.  After 8 grueling hours I was off!  Where to you ask??

CANADA!

What?  I went out of the country and didn't even tell you?  Well, honestly it was very spontaneous.  In fact I was invited on Thursday and went on Friday.  But it was the most wonderful trip with two of my very best friends.  And not just like, oh yeah...they're pretty cool...kind of friends.  More like, I want to spend every waking moment with them kind of friends.  And where did I meet them? 

Online.

When I crossed the border into Canada, the border control found this rather odd.  I didn't expect to have to tell them I was going to stay with a girl I met on the Internet...but they asked.  And I, my friends, do not lie.  Well, don't ask my husband if I lie, okay?  Anyways...when asked how I knew this girl, I responded, "I read her blog!"  Trust me, the look was priceless :)  And maybe a couple of years ago I would've given someone the exact same look. 

But now, I get it.  I get that you can form friendships with people over e-mail and instant messaging.  I get that these people can become your go-to peeps for sharing any and every little thing throughout the day...as well as life's biggest milestones.  These girls knew I was pregnant before my parents did.  And I met them online.

You know them, right?  Shaina and Lucy?  (check out their weekend recaps here and here)  They're amazing. 

I arrived Friday evening and was promptly treated to ice cream!  I had maple walnut.  I mean, I was in Canada, maple was a must.  And I may have added in cheesecake. 

We went for a spin around the city and got to see all of the sites.  Isn't it neat to finally see where someone you talk to everyday lives?  I just find that so fascinating.  And what an amazing place!  Lucy's house is surrounded by orchards and it is some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen.  Simply breathtaking.

And did you know they have weird chips in Canada?  Like ketchup.  And dill pickle.  I thought they both sounded disgusting...but the baby liked them.  And who am I to deny my child at this stage in life?

Saturday we got up early and took the pups for a long walk.  It was my first walk since I started experiencing morning sickness and it felt amazing.  So great to get back out there!  Then I enjoyed a butter tart for a post-breakfast snack.

Don't judge.  I was on vacation.

For lunch we got this crazy Canadian dish called poutine.  It's french fries topped with cheese curds and brown gravy.  It was actually quite tasty...but way too big for my little baby.  But someone's baby finished it just fine.  Not mentioning any names or anything.

We spent the rest of the afternoon perusing shops at Niagara on the Lake.  We had a little rain but enjoyed the shops nonetheless. 

Finally, we headed to a Brazilian steakhouse at the falls which served some of the most delicious meat I have ever tasted in my life!  We even had steak STUFFED WITH CHEESE.  What could be better than that?  Answer = nothing.

Sunday we enjoyed a late lunch followed by a stop at the maternity clothes store!  Finally!  I found some jeans!!  And perhaps a way bigger belly than what I went in with.

Whoa.

Shaina also had a little fun with the belly!  Won't she make the cutest little pregnant girl around??

I also had my first experience parking in the Expectant Mother Parking.  Good thing Lucy was there too so people knew we were legit.

It was seriously one of the best weekends I have had in such a long time.  I cannot wait until I get to meet Lucy's little one and see everyone's face again!!