Live, laugh, love...Loprinzi: Hartley Lane Loprinzi

Contractions kept me awake the last three nights from 9pm-1am, every 8-10 minutes. Not close enough together to warrant a trip to L&D, but close enough and strong enough to prevent sleep.
And goodness my puffy eyes were evidence of these late night contraction induced sleep deprivation…

Thankfully I had an OB appointment this morning to see if all that "early labor" was doing anything.

At my OB appt I had an ultrasound, non-stress test, and lab work. I took Kip and Jov with me, in an effort to keep them relaxed about the upcoming week leading up to the birth of a new sibling. During the 20 minute non-stress test, we kept occupied taking "selfies,"

Jovie got up in the chair so she could watch the ultrasound of baby Hartley. Kip thinks that Hartley is going to come out like a mutant seen on ninja turtles…those ultrasound pictures convince him of this.

I left the appt, with an OB who was "extremely optimistic that I'd be in L&D tonight"

My brother and his wife arrived in KY around noon. My mom got here in KY two days ago. We were set with family here to help wrangle R, K, and J…and perhaps knowing this, I finally allowed my body to relax.

I was pretty uncomfortable all afternoon. Contractions ranged from 4-8 minutes apart, each one lasting at least a minute. I hung around at home, uncomfortable, but trying to enjoy spending time with my brother (who I hadn't seen in over 3 years). Such a joy watching my brother, be uncle to my kids - SUCH a happy heart! The kids kept calling him "the boy"

Paul kept tabs on my throughout the day with text messages "how are you feeling" "are you okay?" I assured him I'd call if we needed to head into L&D, but that Mr. of mine, he is amazing and so concerned about us. Such a lucky gals Hartley and I are! Paul came home from work at about 5:30pm, and had promised R to take him to his school. There was a festival to celebrate the ending of the school year, complete with free bouncy house, face painting, snow cones, and cotton candy. I told P to have his phone always close by, and not to miss answering if I called. I was getting pretty regular with contractions at this point, but wanted P and R to go to his school and enjoy daddy/son one on one date if possible, even if only for 30 minutes. In the mean time I got Kip and Jovie ready for bed, and had to breathe through several contractions…a sign that things really were progressing! Exciting!

Paul and Ryker came home at 7:15pm, he was so excited to show me his "Spiderman" face paint job, and was bummed to find out that he had to go wash it off in the shower…so I took a picture so he could "show Kippy in the morning" We quickly got him in and out of the shower and tucked in.

After all the kids were in bed, I gathered our last minute hospital things and we headed to L&D. I was pretty certain it was going to be baby night…but first I had to stop for a quick photo with my Mr., and a 38 week 5 day baby belly.

We arrived at the hospital at 8:45pm, I left our luggage in the car because I didn't want to be "that girl" who shows up and gets turned away having to shamelessly lug her junk back to the car after being sent home in "early labor." The nurse said I looked like I was 20, and couldn't believe this was baby #4 for us. I was in an out of L&D triage super quick. Apparently showing up with baby #4 at 6cm dilated was enough to get a room at the speed of lightening. They figured I'd labor quick, and didn't want a baby born in triage.

We got settled in our room, and I labored the majority of the night. At 3:15am I called out and told the nurse she should probably page the doctor. Over the span of just one contraction, and three pushes our sweet girl, Hartley Lane Loprinzi was born. My OB was thrilled with the quick delivery. I pulled her up on my chest, and right there, covered in yuck I fell in love for the 5th time. Instantly. She screamed; I cried; Paul cried and took pictures and cut the cord because he is super dad and has his stuff together always.

My OB was amazed with the abnormally long umbilical cord. Sister had a double nuchal cord - which is fancy medical terms meaning the cord was wrapped around her neck twice. She apgared 8 and 9, and stayed on my chest for 45 minutes straight before I let them weigh/measure her.

I was particularly impressed in her perfect head shape. Given the cone head production of the last three deliveries I've been a huge part in making, I gave myself a pat on the back for a quick job, and a pretty baby head. Mama has got some skills the 4th time around, apparently.

Predictions for weight - I guessed 6#14oz, and was wrong, Paul guessed 7#1oz, and my OB guessed 7#2oz…But our Hartley Lane was bigger than any of us predicted. My biggest baby ever at 7#3oz! She was 19 inches in length.