Right now.

I was surprised on bringing my daughter home after my son how little things changed for several weeks in some ways. The baby slept like 24X7, it seemed. The Lord had a way of helping us adjust slowly instead of pouring it all on at once...if the baby sleeps good like mine did!
My son loved the "helper" role, but training him when it WASN'T safe to help was the big thing: for example, NOT opening the tray so that baby could get out of the swing. We forgot to caution both kids about that and i wasn't as 100% as I should have been about the buckling in...figured the baby couldn't get out...
I began to learn that safety is to keep them safe FROM the other kids more often than not rather than the baby from itself!
I used to lock the door to the nursery and take the baby monitor with me to the shower so that the kids didn't crawl into the crib while I showered. Locking the baby's door helped me many times make sure no "helpers" harmed the baby". I guess that seems weird now, but you do what you have to!
I'm all into the philosophy that some crying strengthens the baby's lungs and is necessary in their development after all needs are met as much as humanly possible. It just seemed to save my sanity.

i agree you really need no advice.. i have been checking your blog everyday to see how you are doing.. My children are all 5 yrs apart and it is a challenge with the first one not being the only one. That is where grandparents really do step in and help. They need the attention and to know they are also included in this big change. My mother in law came over everyday to play cards or whatever my son wanted to do that day.. Made him feel special and helped me out a lot.. So take the help..
for a newborn.. i think a baby wipe warmer is the best thing to have for newborns.. they aren't used to the cold wipes.. and later one of those bimbo chairs, and a boppie., especially for Simon.. so he can hold her close to him...

All the best to you, Ali!

I really liked the book On Becoming Baby Wise and it's cycle of wake, eat, play, sleep repeat. This helped me keep my babies on a schedule that worked great for me. Of course you have to be flexible and some people have criticized this book much saying it is too strict, but I used this cycle in conjunction with my mommy instincts to keep as much routine in my life with each new life.
Also, some of my friends have done the Meal Makers or Social Suppers (there are many different companies that do the same thing) where you go and make many meals in 2 hours and freeze them so that after baby comes, dinner is easy to make.

All the best wishes to you and your growing family. Hug & Kiss Simon lots and lots now and sleep when baby is sleeping. You will need it!
I just had a baby girl 3 weeks ago and my son is 6.5 years old. This time I am a lot more tired than w my 1st pregnancy and it is only normal since my son requires so much attention from me, school, food, homework, etc... I just keep telling myself, "this too shall pass". lol ;)
May God bless your family ;)

Sending love you way! So exciting!

Just one tip, ENJOY the first weeks/months of your little baby.
And that c-section, I had one for my oldest, an I had a "normal" delivery with my daughter who is five now. But when I read all the comments here, I think everyone has a c-section in the US. Is that right?
Big hug, and good luck with everything.

LOVE your photo today. I got married in Febuary, and had pink tulips for my flowers. My son's birthday is also in Feb., a great month for a birthday - breaks up the winter a bit! You don't likely need any advice, I'm sure it will all come back to you so quickly.....maybe enist your hubby and Simon as your photographers as your arms will likely be full of babe :)

Ali,
I am so happy for yall. I just want to wish you luck & to tell you that you just make me happy:) Everytime I check your blog, I smile & I feel calmer. You truly are an inspiration. Best Wishes.
Melanie

You'll do great, amazingly as soon as she is born it will all come back to you. :)Good luck with your c-section. Glad to hear that you are happy with your choice. I've had three c-sections and the second time around was so much easier because I knew what to expect and so did my hubby so he was better able to help me out. Hugs, and best wishes to a safe delivery!

My number one piece of advice is learn how to properly swaddle your baby and when you do she will sleep "like a baby". A nurse taught my husband and I a technique using two swaddling blankets when we were in the hospital with our first and it was amazing how well she slept. She slept so well I would have to wake her up ever 2-3 hours to feed her. We used the same technique on our next two and it worked great for them too. I swaddled my last baby until he was 8 months old. That is unusual, about 4 months or when they start to turn over is normal. I taught many of friends how to swaddle their babies and when done correctly and consistently it works like a dream. The key is two blankets and good flannel. The hospital ones are perfect but they grow out of them fast. The ones I love the best are by Swaddle Designs. You can order them online through Babies R Us. I also use a little different wrap style and if you are really interested email me and I can email you pictures. If you try the swaddle and you don't do it right and tight enough she will "bust" out and you will start thinking she doesn't like it but that is just not the case. When done right they LOVE it!
I wish you the best. I can't wait to find out her name:)
Nicolle

Have you thought about baby sign language? We used it with our two kids and they really can communicate with their hands before they can talk. When your child signs that they want milk or more of something and they don´t talk yet it is truely amazing!

Everyone has such wonderful comments that it's hard to follow up with practical advice but that's me, practical.... with our second I learned to double up sheets/mattress protectors on the crib so that when the bed gets wet in the middle of the night you just take off one layer of sheet/liner. We keep another set already on the mattress so it's there! Made me happy in those no-sleep moments...
Enjoy it all!

just wanted to wish you well, hope you get everything done that you want right before she arrives and that everything goes smoothly for you transitioning from 3 to 4 ! oh and i totally get the hugging more tightly ;)

wishing you all the best. Having a second child will be different as the baby will not be your only responsibility. Do your best to have baby A's world(schedule) revolve around yours, rather than having your schedule revolve around hers. Glad your mom will be there to share and help during this special time. When my second one was born (c-section also), I brought a new special toy to give him when he came to meet his new brother. I wanted him to feel special, too, and have something to do while being at the hospital with us. Your going to do a great job; you seem so ready for this new chapter in your life! Just breathe and nurture.

My best advice is enjoy the moments. When you are looking at your darling daughter when she is asleep and your heart melts, remember this feeling during the hard times of little sleep and lots of cries and it will be much easier. I had a c-section 3 months ago and delivered a baby girl (my first, my husbands 3rd child) and I cannot believe the time has gone by so fast.
Try and keep notes of things you want to remember from the very early days because when it comes time to scrap them you won't remember. My first 3 weeks are all one day in my head .... but I took notes about things I wanted to remember like the cute little noises Mackenzie made at the 3am feed, the way she arched her back so cutely when she stretched etc....
As for other advice... listen to it all as there is always more than one way to do something but listen to your heart as it will know what is right for you. Take time each day even if it is 1 minute to tell Chris and Simon that you love them and cherish them (i am sure you will anyway).
All the very best for you, Chris and Simon and my thoughts and prayers are with you all for a safe delivery for both you and your little ray of sunshine.

Oooh, that new baby time is wonderful (and yes, difficult). I remember when I was about to have my second (a daughter after a son) and I couldn't believe that I would love my daughter as much as my son. But, as I know you've heard, you really do love #2 as much as #1 - your heart just expands. It's really fun seeing how they are different and how they are the same.
Sounds like you have the right attitude which I think is more than half the battle. Best of luck! I'm looking forward to seeing how you chronicle your journey!

My best advice is enjoy the moments. When you are looking at your darling daughter when she is asleep and your heart melts, remember this feeling during the hard times of little sleep and lots of cries and it will be much easier. I had a c-section 3 months ago and delivered a baby girl (my first, my husbands 3rd child) and I cannot believe the time has gone by so fast.
Try and keep notes of things you want to remember from the very early days because when it comes time to scrap them you won't remember. My first 3 weeks are all one day in my head .... but I took notes about things I wanted to remember like the cute little noises Mackenzie made at the 3am feed, the way she arched her back so cutely when she stretched etc....
As for other advice... listen to it all as there is always more than one way to do something but listen to your heart as it will know what is right for you. Take time each day even if it is 1 minute to tell Chris and Simon that you love them and cherish them (i am sure you will anyway).
All the very best for you, Chris and Simon and my thoughts and prayers are with you all for a safe delivery for both you and your little ray of sunshine.

Good luck, God bless, and enjoy!
Sit back, watch, smell, take it all in.
I've been curious about whether or not you will immunize this new baby. I don't know what made me wonder but I am curious. Of course, I don't know if you did/do/still do immunize Simon.
I completely understand if you choose not to answer this question. I have almost nobody reading my blog.....so I can post things without a lot of the controversial stuff that happens at times.

I got to have a planned c-section the second time around, and although it's still hard (hello, standing up!), it was such a better recovery than have a c-s after labor. My advice is to get up as soon as you can and walk. Take 2-3 walks around the maternity wing everyday. Enjoy your time in the hospital, I know this sounds funny, and I was uncomfortably bored one of the nights we were there, but it's one of the few times you get to just enjoy the baby without the rest of the family to take care of.
Also: get an AMAZING MIRACLE BLANKET if you don't already have one. Or get two. Cause ours ripped with so much use. And start using it from the get-go, swaddle that little girl all up.
Enjoy!