Right now.

Definitely try to freeze some meals prior and/or do simple meal planning. It is nice to have warm food just out of the oven.

Ali- it is really amazing how it all comes back. I have had three c-sections, the last two were my choice. I don't regret it at all. And my last little one has been a great baby and I think it is because I am much more calm and relaxed. I wish you a happy and safe delivery and many calm nights in the weeks to come.

(1) Keep a basket with extra diapers and wipes as well as a changing pad in the living room so you don't have to keep going into the nursery everytime the baby needs changing.
(2) Sleep when the baby sleeps. Try to ignore the impulse to "just get a load of laundry in" because YOUR nap will never come.
(3) Get out of the house any chance you get (especially alone) and don't hibernate. It can lead to PPD.
(4) Don't be afraid of asking for help. You are not any less a mother for needing help and support from others.
(5) Don't forget to be your husband's partner. It's easy to do when children's needs are so important.
Good luck with the new little one!

Thanks for the book suggestions!
My advice???
If your baby is healthy and gaining weight...make her wait once in a while for the next feeding. Don't feed her everytime she cries. I did this with my second one...he had to wait for three hours after every feeding. If he was fussy before that I would put him in the snuggly and go for a walk. A baby gets used to this very quickly and you know when they are hungry!

Ali
best of luck to you and the family on your blessed event. Simon will be a tremendous BIG BROTHER. love the way a new baby smells and feels, savor all the moments. My favorites were the midnight feedings when it was just the two of us( baby and me).

Since I have now had my third baby I can tell you something. You WON'T remember it all, BUT you will be less stressed about it. If that makes any sense ... for example, I could NOT get my second baby to latch on (yep, I am a nursing mom) and was so frustrated with myself - I mean I had done this before, right???? The LC said, well, the last time you did this, the baby was one year old and able to help himself to the milk. So, just remember, you won't remember how to do it all ... and your mind is cloudy from lack of sleep and body aches. But you are calmer cause you know not to sweat the small stuff. And to take it one day at a time. I hope that all makes sense! Actually, it is perfectly right if it DOESN'T! Ha! But my thought are with all of you (and do remember to enjoy it ... and get kisses from her sweet neck ... THOSE are the best!)

No baby advice here. You don't need it - that maternal baby instinct is still there.
However, I would say to enjoy the time before the birth, during the birth and after the birth with your mom. Since my first child was an emergency delivery and my mother lives far away, I didn't get to experience the before or during with my mom. My mother was only able to come after the birth of my son - which was wonderful. But when my second child, a girl, ended up being a scheduled c-section, my mom was able to be with me before the birth, during and after the birth. I did not realize what I (actually all of us) had missed out on the first time around. It was such a joy and comfort to have my mom with me. Although my husband was great, there is still nothing like having your mom around!
Enjoy! and Best Wishes!

Good Luck Ali, and to Chris + Simon. You are going to have so much fun.
Also thank you for sharing what you will do for yourself during this time. Its something I need to print out and remind me as I go thru each day.
You truly are an inspiration.

What a magical time!! You are on the cusp. So close....
Good for you for staying in the moment. This is one you don't ever want to forget.
Can't wait to hear that she has safely arrived.
Baby hugs!
Kari

Mm, love what you say about embracing each day as it comes, being gracious with yourself, and appreciating/being who you are right now. Great words in times of change/transition. =)

What a special time! I hope that all goes well and according to plan.
Blessings to you and your little clan.

Scheduled c-sections are great -- all calm and relaxed. They played Enya when I went in for my second one.
I just recommend a few things: Stay in the hospital as long as you can. I know that you want to go home but you don't have that great adjustable bed at home. Make sure you know how to wrap up your little girl like a burrito before you go home. They sleep so much better that way. Have some little gift for Simon from the baby when he comes to the hospital. And make sure you are not holding her when he comes in!!
best wishes.

Ali, congrats and best wishes. Such a special time for your family.
I had two very close together, but I was very sensitive to the fact that my first baby would not have me all to herself anymore. I made sure that I found at least half an hour a day from the moment I came home from the hospital to spend with my eldest. Just her and I, all alone. No baby, no interruptions. Just being. It meant the world to both of us and since I had explained what I was doing with my husband and "helpers" they went out of their way to make it happen too.
The other thing I did differently with the second was to be much less afraid of getting her to sleep. I kept her awake after she ate (for the most part - because really, who can resist a newborn falling asleep in their arms?) Even if she was only awake 15 minutes after she ate she was plenty tired to close those peepers all on her own without any help from us. Made her such an easy baby.
Oh, and you can do everything in the world but almost every baby will be fussy at some point in the evening. A nice walk as a family or a ride in the car helped us a lot.
So happpy for you.
Lisa

wishing you all the best as baby #2 comes into your life and changes it forever- and for the better!!
once of the best things coming home from the hospital was having the house CLEAN when I came home...made the whole hectic chaotic process coming home seem less chaotic..that and having clean sheets on my bed...it made that first night being home a lot more calmer for some reason.
AND take advantage of everyone waiting on you hand and foot. enjoy those homecooked meals..from someone else...and always take up on peoples offer to help! Cuz after a while people stop offering :-}

Hi Ali,
In a way, I am sure you may be feeling a sense of sadness that your family unit of three is ending; I know I did. I was delighted about having twins and had thought our son may have very well been an only child. So, the twins were a blessing, but I also felt some sadness too to see that chapter end.

Newborn baby. wow. i had my babies 1 year & 9 months apart, so i felt i wasn't really very good with newborns. good for you to face this new change with such courage!
all the best!
a

Enjoy every momnet! One thing that my mom told me when I was expecting my 2nd, was that when my sister came into the world (I am 3 years older) I used to get "snitty" when she started to nurse her, so she would get me to pick a book and read to me while "we" fed baby. The "snities" stopped and became treasured time - I found it to be true when I had my second and also my 3rd. You will do great, just roll with it!

One small piece of advice: treat this child as if she is your one & only (the same as you did for Simon). So many times, the 2nd or 3rd child gets less - not less love, never that - but less pictures taken, less information put into the baby book, just less of the 'little things', that may not seem so little to you right now. But believe me (I am a 3rd child), it will seem huge to her when she has a child of her own and can share memories & photos of her own childhood with her (which is something I cannot do).
Just enjoy each new day with her & your family. I hope that you have a very safe & easy delivery (c-section).

Hi Ali, I will be praying for a safe delivery. Enjoy this time, it is so special and so fleeting.
My advice: When bathing the baby, put the baby cream in the bath water to warm, this way it is not so cold when applying to baby.
Good luck

i want to thank you for such open sharing...one of the many reasons i just adore your blog...and, of course you!
you are an amazing mom and that little girl is so very lucky to have you as her mommy...i love that you are taking the time to reflect and think and be...my daughter is 15 and i still remember bringing her home from the hospital, such pure joy...just to cuddle and hold her tiny hands! praying and thinking of you during this wonderful time!
chelle