Here’s what you’ve missed

Posted on September 20, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

Wow. Hey blog! I kind of forgot about you. It’s been awhile since we last caught up. Not much has been going on with me, except that EVERYTHING HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH ME.

Here’s a nice little rundown of things that have happened in my life over the past month and a half:

Did I mention that my sister is also pregnant and due a week and a half before me? I’m going to assume no since a whole lot of nothing has been mentioned on this blog in the past few months. We’ve had fun comparing pregnancy notes, and it looks like her little guy (she’s having a boy too!) might be on his way sooner rather than later…!
It’s safe to say that I am now two people in one. Not necessarily double the pleasure. But double the surface area? For sure.
No, we haven’t completely finished settling into our new place. Don’t ask. Just know that there are framed pictures that are still not on the walls, and boxes where I still don’t want them. But progress has been made. Plus, I’m over it.
I’ve been to five baby showers, four of which were in honor of me and my abdominal resident. We are currently digging out from the avalanche of baby gear that has been so generously thrust upon us.
I’ve eaten my weight in peanut butter M&Ms and ice cream. And I weigh a lot now.
I’ve finished a couple of freelance projects because it would be nice to have money again someday.
Will and I spent a relaxing weekend in South Haven, Michigan. I love Michigan. Even when it’s 50 degrees at the end of July. Not sure what that was about. I can only speculate that Mother Nature somehow knows that I’m way more comfortable in a sweatshirt than a bathing suit these days. Thanks, lady!
I’ve been shoved, beaten, bruised, poked, prodded, smacked and head-butted. From the inside. My organs are going to need therapy for post traumatic stress disorder.
We had a housewarming/anniversary/pre-baby party, and people came! And possibly even had fun!
We’ve taken some classes at the hospital where we learned that all you have to do to breastfeed is shove a boob in your baby’s face and that most of the post-delivery recovery rooms have lake views. I don’t know what I was so afraid of!
OH YEAH–we also learned that labor for first-time moms is usually a never-ending hell. And there will be blood.

I’m 37 and a half weeks pregnant now, which I’m told means that the baby could technically come any day. So I’ve been sitting with my legs crossed very tightly and hoping that I have the Four Seasons of uteruses so that this kid will want to stay in there awhile longer. I’m not ready!!

Stay tuned for some baby pictures, it won’t be long now…

Proof

Posted on June 12, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

Ok, now I believe there really is a baby in there.

Lil’ Irwin has made his presence known, and I am now being offered people’s seats on the train during my morning commute. Today I made an emergency trip to Old Navy because suddenly my pants don’t fit.

23 weeks down, 17 more to go…

Some thoughts

Posted on May 6, 2013 by carlieblissirwin

So my blogging slump continues.

I can’t really explain it, but I haven’t felt inclined to write in a long time. I thought being pregnant might spark some inspiration, but if anything, it’s making me feel even more guarded and private than usual. I write 40 hours a week at my day job, so maybe that’s what’s sapping all of my mental energy?

I don’t know what the deal is, but I do know that I want to continue this blog. So don’t give up on me yet!

When you last heard from me (an entire MONTH ago), I announced that we’re having a baby boy in October. And we still are. 🙂 So, while I don’t want this to turn into a mommy blog by any means, I thought I might share some of my thoughts on early pregnancy because, well, I have a few.

1. Getting bigger and gaining weight is a little scary. This is coming from someone whose weight has not fluctuated a single pound since about 8th grade. I like my body, and I don’t want it to change. And I guess that’s just too bad because it’s definitely changing. I’m not wearing maternity clothes yet, and I don’t look outwardly pregnant, but this potbelly I’ve developed is only going to get bigger. I’m trying to embrace it because obviously I want the baby to grow and be healthy. And if embracing it means ordering dessert or drinking a milkshake every now and then, so be it. (Helllooo silver lining!)

2. I don’t feel any different. Granted, I’ve had a very easy pregnancy thus far, and after hearing some of the horror stories from friends and family, I’m raising my hands to the sky and yelling, “Thank you, Jesus!” for that. I’m not sure Jesus is necessarily responsible, but I like to cover my bases. But really, the only physical changes I’ve experienced are the aforementioned potbelly, slight fatigue and… that’s about it. I’m glad I’m not uncomfortable, but I also sometimes forget that I’m pregnant. I can’t feel the baby yet and I don’t look much different to the naked eye. I’m told there’s a fetus in there somewhere, but sometimes I wonder…

3. A lot of people get glowing skin and thicker hair when they get pregnant. I got bags under my eyes and some major frizz issues. Go figure.

4. Surprisingly, I haven’t missed drinking all that much. That is until last week, when the weather in Chicago finally decided to acknowledge that it is, in fact, spring. Passing by all the people on sidewalk patios sipping champagne cocktails and white wine was almost enough to tempt me into making my very first questionable parenting decision. A delicious Sauvignon Blanc vs. the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome… ugghhh being unselfish is hard.

5. So far, I’ve been managing my fear of labor, sleepless nights and keeping a human alive by just not thinking about it. Any of it. I know I’m going to have to face these things eventually, but right now this whole denial thing is really working for me.

So there you go. A select few nuggets from my brain for your Monday. And just to prove that this blog will not be all pregnancy, all the time, here are some fun photos from our trip to Phoenix/Scottsdale a few weeks ago. We were there for the beautiful wedding of Mo and Kelly and got to spend a fun few days with Will’s high school crowd. It was a great time, and a much-needed vacation!

That’s it for now! I’ll try not to be gone too long this time…

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!!