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…

Instagram lately

Posted on September 18, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

Don’t mind me. I’m just here on my couch working and occasionally finding a minute here and there to edit my photos from NYC. So in the meantime, you get… Instagram! (I’m really using these Instagram posts as a crutch, aren’t I?)

Polka dots and arm candy. If I ever start a band, I think that’s what I’m going to call it. And I shall play the bass. (Thick bracelet is from C.Wonder in NYC, thin bracelet is from Italy and polka dots are from Anthropologie on sale.)

“I just want to be alone.”

View of the Chicago Public School teachers striking from my office window. And that is all I will say about that touchy subject. #callmeSwitzerland

Look! It’s my friends Kelly and Luke getting married last weekend at the gorgeous Cuneo Mansion! (Confession: I did not take this photo. I was honestly having too much fun at this wedding to even think about reaching for my camera. I totally stole this Instagram pic from my friend Sheena–hope she doesn’t mind!) (Fun fact: The Cuneo Mansion is where My Best Friend’s Wedding was filmed.)

Another wedding pic stolen from Sheena featuring some of my favorite people on the planet. (Side note: Check out Sheena’s new education blog if you’re interested in how she’s piloting an iPad program in her classroom. Very cool!)

The wedding after party.

A shot from our Saturday evening stroll. Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to be able to walk ten minutes down the street and see this. Not this time, though. I was feeling pretty lucky.

And just when I thought Saturday night couldn’t get any better, we ended up at Sprinkles! They may look like boobs (what’s with that??), but these cupcakes are cray-mazing. Peanut butter chocolate for the win!

Weekend in St. Louis

Posted on July 26, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

So, more about that wedding I gave you a peek at earlier:

Last weekend, we headed back to our old stomping grounds in St. Louis for the fantastic wedding of Ben & Beth, two of Will’s friends from law school.

Highlights included:

Laying around our hotel room on Friday morning by myself (Will had to go to court for work), catching up on blog reading and posting photos on Instagram. So relaxing. The only bad thing was waking up to the horrible news from Colorado.
A fun rehearsal dinner at Vin de Set that included darts, shuffle board, pool and the coolest cake ever made to look like a record player.
A delicious lunch and catching up with an old friend at Bailey’s Range (my lamb burger and espresso milkshake were phenomenal)
A hilarious and touching wedding ceremony at the old St. Louis courthouse. Ben and Beth each wrote vows–for the other person to read. Awesome idea, and seriously the most entertaining ceremony I’ve ever witnessed.
A unique and very St. Louis-y reception on a riverboat that cruised the Mississippi. SO much fun.
A quick brunch with Will’s parents that was way too short.
A couple of hours in the airport fighting our hangovers.

That last photo of the record featuring The Hulk was thrown in out of order and I don’t feel like trying to figure out how to fix it. The groom is obsessed with collecting records and gave his groomsmen and ushers vintage records that reminded him of them. The whole wedding was full of funny, personal touches like that.

Wedding season is in full swing, and the only bad thing about that is sometimes you get double-booked. Unfortunately, we had to miss another wedding in St. Louis last weekend that sounds like it was a blast. So congrats Ben & Beth AND Julie & Roger!

Looking forward to our next wedding… this Saturday! Love is in the air…

Standby

Posted on July 24, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

We are currently experiencing internet connectivity issues. Please enjoy these pictures I took at an awesome riverboat wedding in St. Louis last weekend while I try to restrain myself from ripping our wireless router apart with my bare hands, setting it on fire and dancing on its ashes.

More on this wedding to come (and my post about Positano, Italy!) once I can actually use my computer to post instead of my phone. (Although I must say, this is quite convenient.)

How was my weekend?

Posted on May 1, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

I’m so glad you asked!

It just so happens that I managed to capture all of the highlights on my new favorite toy – Instagram!

We had an excellent dinner at Balena. (Here’s a tip if you ever plan on going there – they have a whole section of the restaurant reserved for walk-ins, so most of the time you don’t need a reservation. We got there a little after 7 pm for dinner and were seated right away!)

I painted my nails (Essie’s Geranium).

We got all gussied up for a super fun wedding (shoes from Zara).

We celebrated Karen’s birthday with a slightly alarming mini pyrotechnic device.

And we happily abused the photo booth.

Sunday was fully devoted to recovery, rehydration and Mad Men watching.

And how was your weekend? (This is not a rhetorical question – I really want to know! I care about you.)

If our reply card to your wedding has tiny bite marks all over it…

Posted on August 27, 2011 by carlieblissirwin

Now you know why.

All you need is love. And awesome friends and family.

Posted on August 11, 2010 by carlieblissirwin

Three years ago today, I married the guy who I have been referring to on this blog as “Will.” (Because that’s his name and that’s what I call him. I’m not much of a nickname person.)

I think we can both say that it was the best day of our lives so far.

Yes, we were thrilled to be in love and marrying each other (right, Will??), but one of the best things about that day was that we had pretty much ALL of our family and friends in one place, celebrating that love.

They arrived.