Our beautiful chaos

Truths right now:
I had a baby 5 days ago.

I have 4 kids now.

My husband is on a plane.

My doctor's office hasn't sent in my paperwork for my job yet, and time is running out.

I found out I don't qualify for FMLA.

I am a hot mess.

The above things are all true, and given just one of them, I'd probably be emotional, but snowball in all of them together and well...

Lesson learned the past few hours:

1)  Jovie woke up crying at 4am, coughing so hard she almost threw up.  Of course her sick wake-up call would conincide with a nursing session for Hartley.  I so badly wanted to just sit, not move, and let Hartley nurse because for the first time since the "milk fairy" came for a visit Hartley was finally latched in a way that gave me some relief.  Goodenss, this 4th time around oversupply of breast milk is...PAINFUL!  Anyway, as I was walking up the stairs with Hartley who was still nursing, Kip flicks his light switch on in his bedroom.  I stood in the hall way, in a half awake/half asleep daze and it hit me - I am in charge of a tiny army that we created, they are kicking my butt, and it is only 4am.  Which brings me to point #2

2) NEVER  give the final approval for your husband to go on a trip just 5 days after giving birth.  Totally rethinking the "I'll be absolutely fine" comment I made when he was questioning my sanity.  Oh, and don't judge P at all, it was a time sensitive trip that had to be done and no time was going to be a good time for it...

3) Having a third party assist in FMLA stuff is driving me batty.  I am stuck in the middle of my place of employment, Unum (third party in charge of "organizing" this), and my physician, and all three parties can't get their crap together.  This has been a mess of phone calls, faxes, messages, and things not getting done...and apparently I have just 7 days left before they drop it all and I don't qualify for the short term disability plan I've been paying into the last two years. 

4) I worked 1,061 hours the last 12 months.  To qualify for FMLA apparently they look back on the total number of hours worked the last 12 months, and somehow they came up with this magic BS number of 1,250 hours which qualify an employee to get FMLA.  Realizing that I don't qualify for a 12 week maternity leave because of 200 hours has me...swearing.  We were anticipating a 12 week maternity leave, and now it is being cut to 8 weeks which started the week before Hartley was even born when I was in the hospital for elevated BP and wonky lab values.  I feel jipped, Hartley is getting jipped, my kids are getting jipped, and my husband especially is getting jipped.  I never once had an issue with being able to take a full 12 week maternity leave in Oregon, and this just sucks.  Big time.   

And now is the part where I type out all of the amazingness that has my spirits high right now to boost my mood, after all the above listed junk to muck through...But really, I've decided to let things just fall into place.  My worrying about it won't change anything, plus Hartley wants to eat, and this one-handed typing is for someone way more patient and less hormonal than I am...so a few pictures of my favorite people ever

My daughterS - yes, plural, which makes me so giddy.

 My Mr. smitten with his new little lady of the house.

My favorite second born, who I just get.  This kid rocks.  He made progress in bonding with Hartley today, he touched her little hand - which was a 5 days in the making milestone.  He slowly is warming up to her.  That is my Kip, he does everything in his perfect time.

 and these last two pictures just do something amazing for my mama-heart.  My favorite firstborn getting loves, and giving loves to his baby sisters.  Such a stellar boy he is :)

5 days old

Loprinzi, Mama of 4

Life with a new baby

Trying to find the balance of capturing memories, and sitting back to enjoy them while they happen.  I want a picture of every moment lately.  Watching the four of them interact, and grow and change…oh my heart!  

Kip has croup, and is laying low.  I'm doing my best to prevent a newborn from getting this yuck.  Oh man.

In the meantime, sister love continues.  Jovie thinks Hartley is just the greatest thing, ever.  She is so thrilled to "keep her forever" and is so very protective of her.

My favorite moment of newborn-ness; sleep deprivation requiring a mid-afternoon snooze-fest with a frog legged, tiny little ball of 7# baby, her newborn smell, tiny breaths, perfectness snoozing on my chest.  Seriously one of the moments in life to bottle up and remember forever.  Wishing time would slow down, and life would be a bit less full so I can just sit and savor more.  Equally as amazing of a moment in this journey of newborn-ness is the look of your spouse who stares at the little life you created together like they are the most amazing gift ever.

Life was not complete until we had her.

 Finally, a picture showing her pretty little eyes.

Tiny 3 year old in an 18 month swim suit.  Sister lives in swim suits lately.

Stunning big brother loving on his baby sister.

Heading HOME

We busted out of the hospital early, because I am convincing - mama of 4, experienced mother/baby RN, almost FNP…yeah I sort of know what to be aware of in monitoring her as she transitions into life from womb to world.  Her 6#15oz, 19inch little self looked so petite in her carseat.

 and the way she is always grabbing things and using her hands makes me melt.  So sweet.

Because we live "in the country" we decided to stop at Kroger to get my pain meds filled before heading home.  The entire car drive Paul was so very cautious, avoiding all speed bumps, and actually never once hitting those bumpy grooves in the side of the road (rare for him).  He was extremely cautious getting H's carseat out of the car, and once inside the store, slow to push the cart around to avoid "baby bobble head."  Such a thoughtful guy, best daddy ever :).

 Looks like his hard work paid off, as this little beauty slept through the entire ride and quick Kroger trip.

When we got home, we found the kids all outside jumping on the trampoline with aunt Jenny

Jovie noticed us home first, and hurried inside.  She said "THANK YOU DADDY!" and "Do we get to keep her forever?"  Her smile and excitement will forever be in my memory.

She instantly asked to "hold baby Hartley," and was bummed I made her change out of her wet swim suit first to do so.  She was so gentle, gave numerous loves and kisses, and spoke such sweetness to her baby sister.  Oh their relationship, I am so excited to watch grow!  Sisters, something so very special about em'

Kip was more reserved, keeping a distance.  When he first noticed Hartley he said "SHE CAME OUT!?"  He was also amazed when Hartley moved her arms, and giggled "HER MOVED!  How does her move, mom?"  Then when Hartley cried Kip got really scared and looked like he might cry too.  He said "I'm outta here, and busted into another room."  He hasn't held her yet, and I'll patiently wait for him to be ready to do so.

 Ryker wanted to hold Hartley, but the new big sister was reluctant to give up her turn.  He waited patiently until Jovie went to bed for his turn.

At just two days old, H is well versed in the Lego Movie novel he was reading to her.

A few more pictures of the newest little lady in our life...

 and how cute is this tiny cow.  My sister said "um, calf, you mean a calf.  A tiny cow is a calf."  But no, I mean tiny cow, because that just sounds so much more cute/funny than a calf.

My sister holding my tired, tiny cow.  Little lady is so relaxed and comfortable in her aunties arms :).  Swoon!

Milk comas in newborns might just be one of the top things on my list of favorite things ever.  Especially when paired with lethargy, adorable button nose, and droopy lips.

 And nana's loving their grand babies, comes in pretty darn high on that list too.  So very blessed that my mom is here right now to help me ease into this Loprinzi mama of 4 role.  And check out the strength of my newest little love, less than 48 hours old and lifting her head like a little boss lady.

 Unfortunately for me, I missed most of my brother and sister in laws entire visit practically since I went into labor the day they arrived, and spent the majority of the time in the hospital having sweet little miss.  They were so excited to be here and see her, as they didn't anticipate meeting her until she was much older.  Truth be told, I think they came to visit the three little Loprinzi kiddos anyway :).

2 out of 3 of my favorite siblings ever, Joe and Jen…just missing my baby sister Court.

Sister in law - Andrea and our sweet Hartley Lane

What a whirlwind of a weekend.  I still cannot believe that labor is over, and we have our sweet girl.  So far just 48 hours in, and instantly in love.  I can't imagine what life would be like without our little Hartley.

Hartley's first 24 hours...

My sister arrived in KY the afternoon of 5/31, right after Hartley was born.  She stopped by to see me, and it was amazingness...

She was able to witness us moving from the labor and delivery room to the postpartum room…which was pretty funny.  My Mr. is very protective of his little lady, and was so concerned about the bumping of that darn wheely crib thing they force you to push your baby down the hall in.  In an effort to avoid turning her into a "bobble head" (his words), he pushed her at an amazingly slow pace creating a span of distance between our parade we were creating down the long hospital hallway.

 he even lifted the wheels so it wouldn't bump her while getting into the elevator.

After getting settled in our new room, Jen left, and Paul, Hartley and I slept the majority of the day away.  MUCH needed.

That night I tried to get a picture of her alert…and this was the best result.

 Most of the time she would just peek out with one tiny little eye.

 The evening shift RN was a RN I use to work with, she brought her back from doing her assessment with a cute bow in her hat :).  And yes, our Hartley appears she is going to be a binky loving lady.  Fine by this mama.

Sister has hair!

SO, so in love!