A Baby Shower Weekend in Chicago

We arrived in Chicago Saturday morning leaving us plenty of time for food throughout the day. On our way to my sister-in-law's home we stopped and picked up sandwiches from Potbelly for lunch. When we got to their home all the ladies of the family, and Dave (the dad-to-be), were reunited for the first time since Christmas 2008. The baby of the family, Alleigh, has been doing good deeds all over the country, working in Americorps. We were lucky that her break fell during the week of the shower. It would have been great if Matt and his dad could have been there but the two New England men had to stay behind to run the bed and breakfast.

After our little reunion we left to head downtown to meet up with some important Michiganders at Cafe Iberico for dinner. There is nothing better than pitchers of sangria and tapas galore! It was so nice to catch up with the extended family over a fantastic meal. Dinner was over early so a group of us walked over to the Hotel Felix to have drinks in their swanky restaurant, Elate. Of course I forgot to take any photos on Saturday but Alleigh got a shot of her Blueberry Lemonade drink at Elate. I had the cucumber collins which was delicious but I think the table's favorite was the ginger-basil mojito.


Later on that night Alleigh and I met up with one of my best friends who moved from Boston to Chicago a couple years ago. We all caught up over a couple of beers at The Bad Apple. It wasn't nearly enough time but we all had to get up in early in the morning.

Sunday morning, after a quick run along the Lake, we headed to the suburbs for the baby shower!! The shower was held where Carrie and Dave got married almost two years ago, the Riverside Reception. It was a beautiful day for a perfect baby shower!

Here are some photos of the room and the view







A little sweet favor


My mother-in-law made the most beautiful diaper bag for Carrie. For the rest of the weekend everyone referred to her as Linda Bradley.


Our gift came from a little boutique in Boston, Red Wagon. I loved how they wrapped the gift in a small pizza box. Too cute!


All of the food was fantastic!



After our big lunch there were two desserts, cake and ice cream! The beautiful cake was a chocolate sponge cake with a cherry filling.



We were so full that we couldn't even imagine eating dinner.

Here I am with Matt's beautiful twin cousins. Before Saturday, I hadn't seen them since my trip to Michigan in October.


Here I am with my two gorgeous sister-in-laws getting ready to open all the gifts.


When we were finally back in Chicago and had made room for dinner, we enjoyed pizza and a salad while we watched the season premier of Drop Dead Diva. We love the talented Brooke Elliot! She's a college friend of Carrie's and we're all so proud of her! It's been so much fun watching her on her show. Here is my favorite photo of Brooke with Matt at Carrie and Dave's wedding.


I love spending my weekends in Chicago but it doesn't happen as often as I would like and when it does happen it's always over too quickly. Before we knew it Alleigh, mom, and I were getting ready to leave for the O'Hare airport Monday morning. Before we left we wanted to get one last photo of all of us.

Then I took another one just for good measure. You can see we're all laughing because Duncan, their chocolate lab, was very confused as to why we were all standing there so he started to bark at us. Silly Duncan!


After reuniting with the hardworking men back in Boston we went to dinner at Scollay Square. I started with one of my favorite salads in Boston, the roasted pear salad, and a Blue Moon.


Then Matt and I shared the buffalo chicken mac and cheese. We feel better about eating this heavenly, fatty dish if we share it!


It was a great long weekend and I can't wait to meet the newest member of the family!