Making a human until October 2013

Posted on April 7, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

Yes, the rumors are true.

Ok, well I’m pretty sure no one is actually talking about this, but the fact remains that I am currently in the process of growing a spawn.

Yay! A baby! Let’s celebrate and prematurely buy onesies and stuffed animals because they’re too cute to resist! Let’s get all sentimental and philosophical and hormonal about love and parenting and raising a child!

And then let’s get real. I feel weird.

I have a person living inside of me, and I know because I saw it. I’m currently 14 weeks pregnant, and at our 12 week ultrasound I saw it all curled up, its little hands scrunched up around its little alien face. I saw it launch itself off the sides of my uterus with fragile little apendages resembling legs, and I think I screamed a little. Because that is just weird to see. It was moving around so much, but I couldn’t feel a thing. I just hope it gets more attractive before we’re properly introduced.

If you’ve been reading this blog from the very beginning, you may recall that I started it to chronicle my journey from a carefree, anti-babies twenty-something to someone who is suddenly mature enough and ready to have kids.

Well that transformation never happened. What did happen was that I turned 30. And then I found myself inching uncomfortably close to 31. And Will and I just knew it was time.

So here we are: me, fondly remembering that last glass of wine I had the evening of January 20, 2013 (I will never forget!); and Will, analyzing and re-analyzing our finances while suspiciously eyeing my bloated midsection. No turning back.

Not that we’d want to. We’re happy and excited. And it will be nice to give Gatsby a sibling. He’s looking forward to licking and sniffing the baby in inappropriate places. Of course his first question was, “Do I have to share my toys?”

Ew. No. Please.

So that’s the news! Oh wait–I forgot one detail…

IT’S A BOY!!

Milwaukee

Posted on April 3, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

I know this is starting to turn into some sort of travel blog, but guess what? I went somewhere else!

This time it was Milwaukee. Believe it or not, in all my years growing up in the Chicago area, I had never trekked an hour and a half north to this other majestic city by the lake. Yes, I said majestic. “Majestic Milwaukee.” Did I just come up with a fantastic new slogan? I think so. Call me, Milwaukee Board of Tourism.

Anyway, Laura (my good friend from college) moved from Chicago to Milwaukee a few months ago, so Megan (another good friend from college) and I decided it was high time we visited her.

It was a fantastic 24 hours full of catching up, catching the views at the Pfister Hotel, catching a comedy show at the Comedy Cafe, exchanging thumbs up with the Bronze Fonze (I ran out of “catching” phrases), walking around downtown, and ending with a delicious brunch at Trocadero.

I was really impressed by what I saw of Milwaukee, and as I told Laura in true Terminator fashion when we were leaving, “I’ll be back.”

And can we just acknowledge what an amazing hostess Laura is? Those adorably laid-out tooth-picked bananas and strawberries? So thoughtful.

Thanks for a great weekend Laura (and Milwaukee)!

Girls weekend in Nashville

Posted on March 18, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

A few weekends ago, I jetted off to Nashville with Emily, Megan and Sarah for a long weekend of eating, drinking and country music.

Full disclosure: I am NOT a fan of country music. Not even the Taylor Swift variety. But I was pleased to discover that many of the bands in Nashville actually play a lot of classic rock–which I love! They also played some song called Wagon Wheel approximately every 10 minutes. No joke. It’s still in my head.

Despite my lack of enthusiasm for the honky-tonk lifestyle (I do not think your tractor’s sexy), I am never one to turn down the opportunity for a vacation, especially a girls trip!

We were all looking forward to some warmer weather, and I guess we’re just going to have to wait until summer for that. We arrived in Nashville to snow and 30-degree temps, but did we let that get us down? Noooo! We hit the bar and warmed up with a few mimosas, and all was well with the world.

The rest of the weekend was spent in the bars on Broadway listening to live bands and eating delicious meals at places like Puckett’s, Noshville, Merchant’s and Pancake Pantry. We also made stops for ice cream and candy because LAY OFF ME, I’M ON VACATION.

Also, I convinced Megan to wear her purse as a backpack. And let me take a picture of it.

It was a great time, and I would recommend Nashville as a destination for anyone who is looking to plan a fun weekend with the girls.

And if you actually like country music, you may never want to leave.

I miss last March

Posted on March 15, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

Maybe you recall that almost exactly a year ago, I posted this weather forecast for Chicago:

(It actually ended up being much warmer than that.)

And here’s the current 5-day forecast for Chicago:

I just. I can’t.

I guess a lot can change in a year. Including the weather.com website design, apparently.

If you live in Chicago and are a true masochist, check out more posts here and here about the freakishly gorgeous weather we had a year ago, which I will now refer to as The Golden Age.

Medieval Times

Posted on March 7, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

At the end of February 20 years ago, I turned 11 and my friend Kate turned 10. And how did we decide to celebrate? A birthday feast at Medieval Times! (Festivities also included playing Dr. Mario for several hours.)

In the spirit of nostalgia, we decided to celebrate our 31st and 30th birthdays this year by convincing our families to head back to that very same majestic concrete castle to don paper crowns, check out some jousting, and eat mini chickens using only our hands.

We were cheering for the Black & White Knight. Sadly, he met his untimely end at the hand of the Red Knight, who seemed like kind of a jerk. But whatever.

Even though our knight lost and we were perhaps the only group in attendance who was not accompanied by at least one child under the age of 12, it was a great way to celebrate. And now that I’ve got both feet planted firmly in the 4th decade of my life, it’s kind of fun to revisit a childhood memory. Because what they say is true–“some things never change.”

They also say “31 is the new 21.” Or did I make that up? Either way, it’s true.

New Orleans

Posted on February 26, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

It’s been a big month for New Orleans. First the Superbowl, then Mardis Gras and then… the Irwins!

Two weekends ago, Will and I were strolling through the French Quarter, debating the difference between Cajun and Creole (does anyone know??) and popping into random bars for a drink while the upbeat notes of New Orleans jazz floated out of the clubs as we passed by.

The Big Easy did not disappoint. I was also impressed by the massive southern estates in the Garden District and the National WWII Museum, where we ended up spending the better part of a day.

Besides the obligatory stop at Cafe du Monde for cafe au lait and beignets, we also exercised our taste buds at Stanley, Lilette, Cochon Butcher, Sucre, Napoleon House, The Ruby Slipper Cafe and Domenica.

Eating, drinking and walking = a true Irwin vacation.

Lazy and Graze-y

Posted on February 21, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

When it comes to food preparation, I just don’t participate. The only effort I expect to exert in order to get food into my mouth is picking it up or stabbing it with a utensil and putting it there.

Obviously, this is not a realistic way to consume a nutritious and balanced diet. Thus, occasionally I find myself having to do other things like stirring, chopping, mixing and turning on the oven. What the hell?

A couple of weeks ago, I discovered my solution to this annoyance, at least when it comes to snacking: Graze!

I went to their website, signed up, and now I receive 4 healthy snacks in a cute little box every week for only $5. They are the perfect size for bringing to work or quickly satisfying an annoying hunger pang.

It’s so easy and it’s NOT McDonald’s, which is a very good thing. They have a huge variety of snack options to choose from and you can rate each snack so they know what you like and what to send more often.

Graze is invite only, but lucky for you, I have an invitation code! If you’re interested, head to their website and enter the code PHD5TW9D. You’ll get your first and fifth boxes for free!

This was not a sponsored post (pretty much none of my posts are), but I just like to make sure my readers are healthy and not starving. Because that’s how much I care about you.

Trippin’

Posted on February 4, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

Guess what? The next installment of “Carlie and Will Travel the World” (that’s what I’m calling this period in our lives) has been booked.

We’re going to New Orleans!

I’ve never been there before and CAN’T WAIT to eat beignets, stroll through the pretty streets and watch Will eat seafood (while I eat other delicious things that are not of an aquatic nature because gross.)

I’m planning this pretty last-minute, so if anyone has recommendations for things to do or places to eat, bring ’em on!

Speaking of trips, I thought I’d post some photos from our Ft. Lauderdale vacation in December.

Warning: Living in a cold climate while viewing these photos may result in feelings of sadness, jealousy, longing and hating of where you live. Rest assured, these feelings are normal. But Punxsatawney Phil predicted on early spring on Saturday…so there’s that!

Please stand by

Posted on January 31, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

Internet connectivity issues continue to plague the House of Irwin. Also, the plague is plaguing us. As plagues tend to do. But this stuffy nose, scratchy throat and overall feeling that my body may collapse inward on itself at any moment are all getting old. Anyway, I’m posting this from my phone, which is less than ideal. If things don’t improve by the weekend, Comcast WILL be hearing from me, oh yes. And while that may sound like a threat, it’s not – my telephone demeanor is actually quite polite and agreeable. Just know this, Comcast: if, at the end of the call, I say ” Thank you” instead of “Thank you very much“… I am NOT happy with you. And now, a picture of Gatsby:

The lost photos: Rockport 2012

Posted on January 28, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

As I mentioned in my last post, a few months ago, my computer decided to refuse to let me upload photos… or anything for that matter.

At that point, I’d had the thing for over 6 years. And although it had been good to me (Apple forever!), it was high time we parted ways.

I’m now writing this post on a beautiful new MacBook Pro. You’d be amazed how much more fun typing is when the keys are all brand new and click-y!

But just because I wasn’t able to upload photos doesn’t mean I wasn’t taking them. And so… here is the first installment of the “lost photos” from the end of last year, highlighting our trip to Rockport (and Gloucester), Massachusetts. Probably my favorite place on earth. Or at least in the continental U.S.

I’m sure I don’t have to explain why we try to make it back to this place as much as possible.