1 Month Milestone for P Diddy

We did it!  We survived the first 30 days!  Wow.  This little peanut eats about every 3 hours - sometimes 2 - at nighttime he can be amazing and give us 5 straight.  All that sleep everyone told me to stock up on pre-baby arrival has not helped...I have had to nap frequently throughout the day to keep pace with Mr. Palmer.  Add in a huge battle with reflux, the most amazing amount of gas I've every seen in one tiny package and mommy/daddy who are learning as they go and you've got yourself quite an adventure.  And if you asked Pete or myself at 3 a.m. how we felt, we would tell you crazy in love with this little guy and wouldn't trade a wink of sleep for time with him.  It is truly amazing how a child can change you so drastically.  I do wish we could get out of the house a bit quicker...took us about 2 hours to try and leave for a Christmas party yesterday.  But I know we will look back fondly at this time...or at least we can laugh about how thankful we are that God created vacuums.

To capture his 1 month milestone, I doctored up this cute little photo.  This was not the intended pose/outfit, but for now, it will do.  The "photo shoot" I tried to nail on my own went a bit awry.  Let's just say there were about 50+ photos taken and in almost every one he looks like I'm torturing him.  We will try again in a day or two when Mom has a bit more sleep and patience:)

Dad bought me a bunch of ND and Bears gear (he couldn't wait 'til Christmas so he already gave it to me)

Here's a rough shot of what we were going for.

Hopefully we will redo this sans paci and better positioning and a smile! 

Palmer did have a real photo shoot!  We asked Monique from Brown Eyed Girl Images who did my maternity pics to capture Mr. Doyle in all his newborn splendor.  Can't wait to see how they turned out.  We even took a few with us...and maybe one fun one with Pete in his Christmas pants holding Palmer who looked equally as festive;)

There were some tricky moves to get this sleep to happen!

 And I've finally started scouring the web for adorable baby boy clothes.  I needed some warm pieces for our trip to Chicago in February for his Sip n' See.  I have been less than impressed with the selection of stylish gear for little boys.  I have found a few pieces I love so far, including this adorable coat which Palmer wore to dinner at a friends.

The shopping has begun!

20 days...that's it?!

Life in the Doyle household has done a 180 since the introduction of Mr. Palmer!  He has brought us so much love, worry (who knew you could stare at a video monitor for that many hours a day!) and excitement.  We are enjoying the ride of getting to know him.  It has been a rather eventful 3 weeks so far...

We've enjoyed lots of tummy time!

I always wait patiently while Mom gets ready in the morning.

I love getting dressed up in all of my stylish outfits.
Mom took me to Publix and Buy Buy Baby this week!

Mom sported me in the Baby Bjorn on all of our shopping trips!

I was on my best behavior while Mom picked up lunch from the club...
Oh, how she had missed her aztec chicken wrap.

We met our best buds Parker and Amy for lunch!

As cute as I look..that left little ear is going to get a little help in being not so crooked!
We went to the ENT today and they're going to put an "ear well" (fancy word for plastic mold)
on my ear so it's straight like my other one!  I'll thank my mom later!

We've enjoy the wind in our hair...

I lost my umbilical cord!  Mom found it in my pajamas on Monday! 

And we take lots of naps!  Mom sometimes lets me nap on her when she's not being a meanie
 and making me nap in my crib.

Palmer hit 9 lbs 1 oz this week!  That's up about a pound a half from birth.  Obviously feeding is not a problem for this little man.  We do, however, have a battle with reflux!  He was put on Zantac Sunday after we watched him battle with burning in his throat since birth.  We were trying to see if it resolved itself, but his discomfort was getting worse and we couldn't bear to watch him in pain anymore.  Our pediatrician said it's a common ailment and the Zantac should whip him back in shape soon!  It has already calmed him down a lot and we have lighter hearts knowing we are helping our little man feel better!

Tomorrow we are hoping to make our debut back in our ladies lunch group!  With proper timing we should have a successful lunch date.  Then Palmer will get his ear well on Friday morning just in time for Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Tom to come down from Chicago for a quick visit!  Looking forward to seeing the two of them and sharing our sweet little baby Palmer.  

As we close in on the one month mark (better start thinking of creative ways to capture this milestone photographically!) I am still not quite sure we believe the fact Palmer is here...as our son...forever...as our responsibility!  We always say it seems like he's been here forever, but at the same time it's as if we don't believe he's really here!  I'm sure his presence will become more normal as time progresses, but until then we'll keep spending all of our time staring at him.

Welcome, Palmer Anthony Doyle!

We did it!  Pete and I welcomed Palmer on 11/21/2012 at 4:55pm.  It was quite a journey.  My water broke at 10pm on Monday and he didn't make it out until Wednesday evening.  The road to d-day involved taking homeopathic supplements every 15 min to try and stimulate regular contractions, castor oil, 2 chiro adjustments, and an hour marching around Lake Baldwin doing high knees - YES AN HOUR - Pete was a trooper and marched with me the whole way...he did manage to sneak a video of me in action, though.  After all the hard work, our original birth plan didn't pan out.  There was no heartache over the change in plans because all we wanted was a healthy baby and momma at the end of the journey.  We ended up starting a whole new journey to delivery at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.  The experience was wonderful.  Our nurses and staff made us feel so cared for.  Our doula, Michelle Smith, was with us every step of the way.  She brought both Pete and I the confidence and peace we needed to keep going through the twist and turns of the labor!  We couldn't have done it without her.  We are so thankful for everyone who was a part of Palmer's arrival.  

The early arrival meant we had Thanksgiving in our hospital room.  My dad and step-mom brought us a turkey dinner to enjoy with baby Palmer.  It was a great memory to have with our new family!  We had a lot to be thankful for.  We made it home late on Friday night.  The car ride was home fun...Pete immediately decided my car was not going to be acceptable to drive Palmer around in.  He vowed to start looking for a new car for me the next day.  Which of course he did.  He had me at the BMW dealership a few days later to test drive a couple to find my favorite (my first outing sans baby Palmer!).  Seeing as how I've never had a brand new car, they all seemed fantastic to me!  When I stepped in the BMW X3 I immediately knew it was meant for Palmer and me.  Pete was a proud Papa to bring it home to us later that night.  Needless to say, there has been A LOT of change in the Doyle household lately!

I also had three other outings without Palmer this week.  The first was to go back to the dealership to sign my title over for my old car and learn how to use my new one.  The next was to get my nails done.  Pete braved watching Palmer alone!  I received one call mid-nail-service because Palmer was starving.  I had to leave the nail salon, go feed Palmer, then head back up and get my polish finished.  It was actually quite amusing and fun.  My nail tech was like, "Just tell Dad to give him the bottle!" and I responded, while looking down at my chest, "That'd be great, but the problem is the bottles are with me!"  The third outing was last night.  Pete and I had our first date together since being Mom and Dad.  Pete's mom watched the baby (she's in town from Chicago until Monday along with his sister).  It was so weird to leave the house together and sit at dinner.  We use to just walk out to dinner night after night like it was no big deal - now it seemed as if it was the most special treat to enjoy  a meal and conversation together.  We also enjoyed my first glass of wine in 9 months over dinner.  Needless to say, two sips in I was feeling rather nice:)  We appropriately ordered the Palmer Cabarnet at the club.  

Today marks Palmer's official due date.  He arrived 11 days early.  We have enjoyed every minute of our first 11 days.  We know they grow so fast so we are just taking it all in!  I could post a million pictures (pretty sure I've taken that many) to document our first week and a half, but here are some of my favorites thus far:

So patiently waiting in triage @ Winnie Palmer - it had been quite a journey already!

Finally in the room - trying to be a champ and keep my game face on!

Sweetest moment ever!  Pete got to tell me we had a little boy!  We were over the moon!

In our post-partum room.  We couldn't keep our eyes off of him.

Pete's Dad Mug.  He was an all-star!  All the nurses kept telling me how lucky I was to have a man like him.
I assured them I knew how lucky I was:)

Doting Daddy <3

Proud Pappa

Grandma Judy was waiting for us when we got home!

Hi Baby Palmer!

Back at home and kissable as ever!

Aunt Amy visits!

"In the big house" outfit

Well, hello there!

Palmer and Braxton's first play time!  They are gonna burn down Bay Hill one day!

Drunk baby face.

Here is a little capture of our first walk!

His very first Blabla doll!

Mr. Alert during Grampa Wayne's visit!

We have had so much love from all of our friends and family!  We are so thankful for everyone's support as we break in to being mommy and daddy.  I look forward to documenting the first year of Baby Palmer.  Can you believe it?!? After all the waiting and guessing...we had a boy!! Soon we will begin the nursery decorating!  Let the fun begin!

Today Marks 13 Days and Counting...

Pete is having a great month with ND being #1 in BCS Football right now!
Had to give them a nod for dear old Dad!

13 days.  Pete and I have decided the baby isn't actually ever coming and I'm going to be pregnant forever.  Not because we are in misery the last leg of this pregnancy, but it seems so odd to accept the fact we only have a couple weekends left without being mom and dad!  We seem to have settled into life with me pregnant and the impending delivery seems eons away.  When in reality it could be here any day!  My feelings are this little bean isn't making his or her debut until December...but what do I know...I'm just the host.

The maternity photo shoot this weekend went far better than I ever could have imagined!  I went and got my hair did that morning to give myself as much confidence as I could going into the shoot.  Monique Smith is the photographer from Brown Eyed Girl Images who I had the pleasure to work with.  I have never felt so comfortable having someone take my picture.  The shoot was so much fun and I cannot wait to see pictures!  We get a sneak peek in a few days, but the gallery won't be ready for 2-3 weeks.  I'm going to be very patiently in agony waiting to see how all the shots came out.  I think we did a good job capturing the vibe from my inspiration photos.  It has my wheels turning for the photo shoot we will do with Baby D once the little peanut decides to arrive!

Pete snapped my pic as I was greeting the photographer...do you see the nerves on my face?!

We received a darling little outfit from Aunt Fran & family this week.  It's all washed and ready to go for a couple pics on Christmas day.

The reindeer on the butt is just adorable! 

I have a feeling Baby D will have several outfit changes on Christmas day.  I have a couple ideas for Christmas day attire already.  And if it's a boy I have a ridic adorable plaid outfit from Janie and Jack that will be in the outfit rotation.  God bless us if we have a little girl.

Also this week my niece Demerese who is a senior at high school in MA performed a piece of Les Miserables at Downtown Disney with her theatre group!  My dad and I went to watch and she was fantastic!  While I think she should be planning her future in NYC, she has brighter plans of a future as a dentist:)  It was great to enjoy some time with her. 

I like to think she gets her talent from her Aunt:)

This week we will enjoy Thanksgiving at our house with my entire family!  Cool weather and a feast is exactly what this preggo mama dreams about!  Looking forward to all the action at the house and spending time with the family.  We had a "friends" Thanksgiving feast at the club last night.  We ended up with 10 adults and 14 children - two of which were under the age of 1! It was quite a night and I'm sure the older members of the club were less than entertained with our shenanigans!  Although I hate to admit this, I think the 10 person adult table rivaled the kid's table in terms of noise level!  Either way it was a lot of fun and Pete and I are very thankful for the "family" we have inherited here in Bay Hill!

Maternity Photo Shoot Planning

So I've caved - I'm doing it!  I've been told by too many mommies I'll regret not taking a few professional maternity photos.   I have a great opportunity through Heart to Heart Birth Center (where we are delivering Baby D) to work with Brown Eyed Girl Images at a discounted rate.  So this weekend I'm doing a maternity mini-session!  I always get awkward when having professionals take my picture.  The whole, "Look in each others eyes...tilt your head to the left...now lean in for the kiss..."  turns me into a pre-teen, giggly girl.  And I am much more a fan of the shots taken at random than of posed pictures.  In an effort to get the most of what I would envision of a maternity shoot, I've done some digging and found a few maternity shots I think are darling.

I might add a pearl necklace to this shot

This girl has an amazing newborn photo shoot I'm probably going to be "inspired" by as well

Love. 

Stunning.

And here are a few of the pieces I've managed to pick up to help recreate these images.

The shirt has slits up the sides so the Baby D can peek out 

This is a ridic DVF dress/caftan that I found at Nordstrom Rack

This is a little pj I have that might drapes nicely over Baby D - may include it in the shoot

The photographer will be here 11:30 on Saturday!  We're going to use our wedding pictures as a little inspiration, too.  Maybe recreate the one with Pete and I with the ivy wall...and maybe me in the doorway of the house.  So many options!  Can't wait to see how they turn out - I just need to put my professional face on and not act like a 12 year old girl when getting my picture taken!

Finally hit the ol' Watermelon

The day has arrived where I am officially as large as a watermelon!  The weight is definitely being felt as I lug this baby around.  It really is hard to "take it easy" when my brain is telling me "Go, Go, Go!" and my body is screaming "NO! NO! NO!"  

As of today...20 days and counting!

Bay Hill Member Guest Kick Off Party

Pete and I with Matt @ the Kick Off Party

Awards Night @ Member Guest Tourney - they didn't post ANY of us dancing:(

Bay Hill Wine Social - Can't wait for my turn to really enjoy these events!

Counting the Days

Can it be?!  As of today we have only 27 days remaining until our due date?  Although our doula let us know that the average first time mom carries 41 weeks and 3 days...sooo we may be cooking this bun a little longer than 27 days in this oven, but either way it is coming quickly!  I have a mixture of emotions as this journey nears its end.  There is an overwhelming joy/excitement to meet our son or daughter, combined with a bittersweet feeling about the ending of the pregnancy.  I know, I know...women are screaming at me - "Just wait - you're gonna want that thing out of you!" But honestly, this is such an amazing miracle!  Spending everyday with my little baby growing inside me; kicking and squirming; making me feel love without ever seeing his or her face - it's the most miraculous thing I've ever experienced in life.  Yes, I'm swollen (pre pregnancy wedding ring size: 4.5 - pregnant wedding ring size: 7!), my back aches, there are pains in muscles I didn't even know existed and a plethora of other pregnancy symptoms not appropriate to write about, but I wouldn't trade one second of those pains!  I know that every symptom is a result of Pete and my love growing inside of me.  (Okay, so maybe another symptom would be a tad more emotional;)  This is by far the most fantastic experience of my life!

Pete inspired the board - he wanted to celebrate ND's win

Bay Hill held it's annual holiday fashion show - I did my best to squeeze into one of my maternity dresses that still kinda sorta fit...

Fall Preggo Fashion!  Making the most of this last month where I'm really "blossoming" all over:)

Dancing Machine

Week 35 was Baby Doyle's first adventure with mommy and daddy on the dance floor!  It was the Bay Hill Member Guest tournament and Pete and I (despite my large size) managed to still whip around the dance floor with dips and turns and lots of shaking!  We needed to have a really good time to make up for the golf played that week...there was no crystal "pickle dish" taken home to the Doyle house on awards night ;)

Gonna stretch out that pink shirt to make it last for this last month!

Anthropologie dress that works as maternity!

I hung a mirror over the changing table this week - perfect for entertaining a baby
who doesn't want their diaper changed! 

I also hung our wedding guest book tree in the nursery.  I've ordered a nice white frame for it,
but until then the cheap poster frame target will do!

On Friday night there Bay Hill didn't have an event so we went out to Roy's
with a few of the couples playing in the tournament

Here we are all dolled up for the awards night!  Not sure why it came out so fuzzy.
Think my phone lens had shmutz on it.