4 cousins with a blog: 2013

Well we've just had a great cousins trip. We went to Seattle to see the P!nk concert!!! It was so great, and we had a good time in Seattle. We left on thursday Oct 17. Gina, Claudia and Susie went in one car, Nadia, Marisa and Hayden went in another. This was Hayden's first major road trip and first time out of the country. Here are some of the text messages sent between us during the trip:

Marisa : Maybe mom will let you drive?
Gina: Nope

Marisa: Is mom speeding?
Gina: No
Marisa: Are you sure?
Gina: Yes

This is a photo from when we stopped in Salmon Arm.

This is a conversation from when we were stopped on a side road between kamloops and merritt.

Marisa: Hayden pooped
Gina: Haha, thats good to know
Marisa: There's no garbage around here
Gina: Guess you'll have to hold on to it then
Marisa: It's a really big one, we desperately need a garbage

Also at this stop was the part where Nadia (who is breastfeeding) sprayed milk all over the interior of the vehicle! By accident of course. Good thing it has leather seats :)

We made it across the boarder without any hang ups. Not even regarding Hayden. We only had a birth certificate for him, not a passport.

This first night we stayed in the first hotel we could find, which happened to be in the town of Lynden. The decor was slightly 80's. The whole room was wall papered in a floral pattern. It looked like whoever put up this wall paper went right over the electrical outlet covers, because they matched the wall paper.

The next morning we went shopping at the outlet mall. Hayden got the most stuff of anybody. At this point we decided that if anybody asked we were all going to pretend to be sisters and that Susie was our mom. You's be surprised how many people asked us if we were sisters. It was fun pretending we were for a weekend. And Susie was in her glory. Four daughters! a dream come true.

The highlight of the weekend was the concert. Nadia and Marisa have seen her twice before, but this was the first time for Gina and Claudia. P!nk really is amazing. Even after having a child she has an incredible body. She has got to be one of the most talented artists out there. She writes her own songs, she plays instruments, and she actually sings all the songs at her concerts. No lip synching! And somehow she sings while hanging from ropes and things. It really was amazing. Bri, Tally, Lana, Tony, Kamla and Gina also came to the concert too! It was a great weekend with friends and family

A trip to the states isn't complete without going to Walmart. It's so interesting going to grocery stores in other countries. Here are some of the funny things we saw

Giant containers of Tuna, mayo and BBQ sauce

Spray cheese. Yum!

If you didn't already know this....Alberta residents don't have to pay sales tax in the state of Washinton! We found this out about half way through the weekend. Just show an Alberta drivers licence, and no tax for you!

Since Nadia is breastfeeding Hayden, some of the time he had to be fed in public places. The most common feeding area was the nearest starbucks, which in Seattle is on every corner. Other places Hayden was fed include the shoe section at Macy's, the baby section at Old Navy, a food court, and just outside the walmart bathrooms.

Hayden needed a toque. Here is a fashion show of toques

He got the white fury one.

Here are some other photos of our trip

On August 18 Nadia and Owen welcomed their son into the world, here is how it went:

My due date was August 12, and Hayden Lorenzo was born on August 18, 6 days over due. Regular contractions began at 10 pm August 17 and he was born at 5:25 am on August 18. This was the happiest moment of my life. And I mean it this time. I know there have been a lot of other moments that I have said were the happiest moments of my life, but this was really it.

I have to say that labour hurts a lot, but I am also very proud to say that I brought our son into this world without using any pain medications. My labour and delivery went exactly as planned, it was perfect. Except that a few very important people that I wanted to be at the birth couldn't be there. But there were some really great people that were there. My mom and dad and nona were there, as well as some really awesome nurses and friends.

Before my delivery people would ask me if I thought it was going to be weird having people I work with be in the room when I delivered my baby. And now I can honestly say that I wouldn't have had it any other way. I am thrilled that my co workers who are also my dear friends could be there at such a happy time in mine and Owen's lives.

So far I love being a mother. Its only been 12 days but I feel like I could just keep having babies and nothing would make me happier. I had no idea I could love somebody so much. I have never loved anyone more than I love Hayden. He is the love of my life!

Here are a few photos of Hayden Lorenzo Marquardt.