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!