Right now.

My first two kiddos are seven years apart. One is now 25 and has a grandkiddo of her own and the daughter # 2 is 18. My youngest is 13. The age difference is both challenge and opportunity. Best of luck as you travel this welcoming time.

Ali--I am so happy for you! Enjoy every moment and thank you for sharing with us! You are just amazing! We have four kids. I remember the last time holding my then 18mo and telling him how when I saw him next he would seem so much bigger to me. We read the picture book "You're All My Favorites" by Same McBratney a lot too with each addition to our family. Hugs to you!

My only advice - trust your own voice, listen to your heart and give thanks for all you will offer and be offered in this new beginning! Blessings to you all - you will be fabulous!

I had a repeat C-section and was glad I did. Also, you will be so amazed at how relaxed you are with your second bundle from heaven. Enjoy!!!

I just had my fourth boy 8 months ago (the oldest just turned 7), and had a first time c-section due to breech positioning. My favorite tip for the first few weeks is to sit. Sit a lot with your daughter and hold her all the time. I prayed a great deal before the baby was born to just be able to ENJOY my life at it was, and (this sounds so cheesy and i'm sorry for that) when i was sitting there, sore and tired beyond reason and tears squirting out of my eyes, there would be a sudden peaceful time, and I would seem to hear 'this is a moment. enjoy THIS moment'. And there were a lot of those moments, added together through the weeks.
Enjoy your moments and peace be with you.

Wishing you the very best! Looking forward to seeing pictures of the new addition once she arrives!!

Ali-- sounds like you're pretty ready for Baby A! Don't worry, it'll come right back to you, at least that's what my friends with more than one child tell me. We had our first this summer, and my advice (since you asked for it):
1) Ignore unrequested advice. Half the time it's not right anyway, and no one knows better than a Momma.
2) Let someone else take care of everything else, and focus on baby and on yourself.
3) Take time to really soak in the tinyness of your new baby. They grow up too fast!
4) Trust your instincts
5) If you have time now, stock up the fridge and freezer with good for you food... that way you don't have to worry about what you'll eat & you won't resort to junk food!
Best of luck!
Lizzy

Ali, I remember how excited I was waiting for my second section. It was about a month before Christmas, so surgery day was like Christmas morning for me. I had the biggest grin on my face waiting to go into the OR! I really hope your day is just as exciting. My only advice for those first few weeks is to let others take care of you. I've always struggled with that.

Love your post and the beautiful picture of the tulips!
I wish you and your family much happiness in this new time in your lifes! No real advice other than enjoy! I have two daughters 18 and 12 years and he years fly by!!! So again enjoy the now.

so excited for you! My last baby came 10 years after my now middle child. My advice to you is rest and pampering for a while. Don't feel the need to do it all, ease into the role of caring for 2! Enjoy every second!

Can't help but be excited for the Edwards' family!

You always know how to say things in a way that tugs at the heartstrings. You'll do great with a newborn ... I had two "batches" of kids. Babies 1 and 2 are now 11 and 13. My daughter arrived when they were 9 and 11, and then I had another a year and a half later. It was different the second time around, but also good. Simon will be able to help you in ways you didn't have when he was a baby... for instance, you may actually get to shower or pee alone once in a while! And judging from what a great kid he is (it seems we know him from all your scrapbooks!), he will be a wonderful big brother ... and you will take more photos than you ever dreamed possible. Rest up and know that we're all thinking about you (and checking you blog multiple times a day for news!!) :)

I was scared during my second pregnancy because I didn't know if I could possibly love another child the way I loved our first one. That mother love completely took me by surprise and was a bit overwhelming. But as soon as that little girl was born, I just new that oh yeah, I was in love with this one too. They are 30 and 27 now and it just gets better. They are such a joy.

Each day I check and expect/hope to see...Gone to the hospital. To an easy easy birth for you two.
My only advice - Iphone and White Noise app.

Wishing you the very best!

I love the special bond you have with Simon and totally understand all the extra hugs you have been giving him lately. I also have a son, he is 3 years-old and an only child to date, and often wonder/worry about how that relationship might change if I were to have another child...
You are an inspirational crafter, mother and woman (not necessarily in that order!). I wish you all the best of luck with the new baby.

Best of luck for the arrival of your new daughter. It will all come rushing back, but it is so nice that you've got your Mom there to help too. Enjoy that babymoon :)

My kids are 9 1/2 years apart..boy first and girl second..what you said today made me feel exactly how I did before our Princess arrived.(She is 3 now) Never thought we would have a second one too but wow it is amazing how quickly they fill a place you didn't know you had! So much love. My son is the best big brother and they have a wonderful bond. You will find so much joy in what they share with each other. You are much more relaxed and go with the flow with the second one. Just more hugs and kisses for everyone. Enjoy your time with your mom-having a daughter makes you appreciate your mom even more then you thought possible. Can't wait for you to post that she has arrived!

So excited for you Ali! All the feelings you had prior to baby #2 was the same for me when I was pregnant with my second baby. Being comfortable with a repeat c-section was hard especially after hearing negative responses for not trying to go natural but everything in my eyes were perfect. I too held & hugged my son more before his sister joined our family. I felt so sad or even guilty at times that my oldest wouldn't be my baby & that he wouldn't have ll my full attention anylonger. I will say though that Simon will love his little sister. My son was so happy & excited to have a little sister. The only advice that I could give is to not forget to give that little special attention to Simon. I have noticed at times when I'm so tired that I forget to give that one on one attention to my son. That little time with him makes him so happy.
I wish you the best for you & your family!

I have two boys: 1 and 4 yr olds. Honestly, when the second one came along, I felt a little bit guilty when my first one would look at me holding the baby, he would look at me as if i was having an affair with another ; ) The first couple of weeks was definitely about "adjusting" to the whole - there's 4 of us now. While trying to get the "bond" between the new baby and me, I also HAD to make sure that my 3-yr (at the time) old was not feeling left out. I made him part of eveerything and anything... picking clothes to wear for the baby, choosing a toy, helping me with the diaper changes etc... I made him feel really good about helping me out and about being a big brother. I think that made a whole world of a difference, and he truly is a big brother who loves his little brother soooo much. And as far as the little one goes, he just ADORES his big brother ; )
You guys will be awesome! Enjoy the newborn-ness of your baby girl... it goes way way way too fast!!!!
Take care.