Right now.

I'm so excited for you to get to experience life with a newborn all over again. It's as magical as it is exhausting and as wonderful as it is surreal. With two little boys of my own and having just gone through the newborn stage again, I can share with you some things that were helpful to me...
-Meals prepared by others!
-Paper plates (just to get through the first few days)
-Sticker books to keep my older child happy beside me while I nursed the baby
-Pre-packaged snacks and washed and ready to go fruit for my older child when dinner wasn't going to be on time
-Favorite movies on hand for everyone
-anything in the crockpot
-Coffee!!!
Looking back these things seem pretty obvious and simple, but they truly helped me get through the haze of the first few weeks. Enjoy every minute; it goes even faster the second time around!
Many blessings to you and your family!

I'm so excited for you to get to experience life with a newborn all over again. It's as magical as it is exhausting and as wonderful as it is surreal. With two little boys of my own and having just gone through the newborn stage again, I can share with you some things that were helpful to me...
-Meals prepared by others!
-Paper plates (just to get through the first few days)
-Sticker books to keep my older child happy beside me while I nursed the baby
-Pre-packaged snacks and washed and ready to go fruit for my older child when dinner wasn't going to be on time
-Favorite movies on hand for everyone
-anything in the crockpot
-Coffee!!!
Looking back these things seem pretty obvious and simple, but they truly helped me get through the haze of the first few weeks. Enjoy every minute; it goes even faster the second time around!
Many blessings to you and your family!

I would try to freeze some dinners. I had people tell me this and I ignored them...I thought how hard can it be to cook with a baby!!
I had a friend who delivered a homemade lasagna to us and we ate it for 3 days and cried when it was gone.
You will be great with the new baby.
Denise

I had three c-sections and it was right for me too. Women need to support other women about this and not make unnecessary comments or judgements. You know yourself best.
I had a much better recovery with my second section! Do the walking and standing when you're cleared. It really does help.
Tips? You are in a fog those first 6-8 weeks and you do forget how much work babies are but then you also have the joy in holding them, feeding them, and staring at them. How great it is to stare and marvel at a newborn!
Believe it or not, I didn;t mind hunkering down on the couch in the evenings, waking to feed and watching Late Night TV. I now miss Leno, Letterman and Conan! And Law & Order episodes! LOL!
I held my last baby a lot! More than my other two kids because I knew he was my last child. I often laid upright on the coach and I'd drift off while he slept snuggley in my arms. I wanted to relish his infancy which goes by so, so quickly! He is now three years old.
You'll do great. It'll all come back to you. You'll find the energy within you. Wishig you and your family the best!

You'll do great! The hardest thing about being a mom for the second time is the challenges facing your first child. No matter how hard you try things will be different. Make sure that you make time for your unique relationship with Simon. Dad gives her a bath while you and Simon play a game. Dad continues to read to Simon at bedtime. He will need his own personal time without her. Of course always let him know how special he is as her big brother.

Good luck Ali! I've been checking your blog daily to see if Baby E has arrived yet! Trust me, it will come back to you, caring for a newborn! Wishing the E family ALL the best in the upcoming weeks!

Wishing you the best of luck in your new baby. You make a great mom!!!

Wow, so exciting. I think all the stuff you already do (i.e., hugging Simon tight, cherishing each day, and living in the moment) are the very best things you can do. My two are 8 and just-turned 6 now, and with my second I wished I had said "remember this" (out loud, if needed!!!) more often. She was more difficult than my son was and so daily baby things seemed more of a blur, I guess (plus the toddler factor). I think it's awesome that Simon is older, he will be your helper, friend, and person to talk to through it all (in addition to others, of course, and in his own 7-yr old way) which I think is WAY cool. Also, when have to deal with little girl and the demands of a baby, I say don't feel guilty about letting Simon watch more-than-usual TV or stuff like that. Because this too shall pass and sometimes, just sometimes, it's all about survival mode! =) AND also remember that for Simon just seeing you with baby girl and how you love her, THAT in itself is a blessing to him to witness that love and care. So even when you ARE paying extra attention to baby, that is teaching and loving Simon, too, if that makes sense. It's all about the family unit, give and take. For sure you already know that! =)
Have fun, know we'll miss your blogging when there's no time to post, but that it's well worth it for your beautiful growing family. And how totally cool to have a little girl in the house!!! Enjoy.....can't wait to see pictures. =)

Wishing you well, I have 7 years difference between my last 2 and it was in a way like starting over again. I would never change any of it now, but it was hard to start with. Each day got that little bit easier.
All the best.

Ali, my most useful baby tip is to make the crib three times at once. Since it is a pain to make I would use a mattress pad then crib sheet, large lap pad then another sheet, large lap pad and another sheet.(I'm sure you could have understood w/o out me spelling it out; ) Then during the night when there was a leaking diaper or spit-up, all you have to do is take off the top set and you would be ready to go without the hassle of remaking.

Oh, good luck and best wishes to you! My best advice for child #2 is to get a good night's sleep. My first boy I was so excited to have, I insisted on his being in my room the first night--after 49 hours of labor and no sleep for days. I was so tired!
Baby boy #2, I said, "Yup, you can keep him in the nursery tonight. Go ahead and feed him formula. He'll be OK." After that night I was well rested and ready.

Caring for the newborn thing- Paige has been with us for one week and it's all coming back slowly but surely. I'm sending you good thoughts and vibes for a smooth transition. Ours wasn't *quite* as smooth as I would have liked, but it's getting there! One thing though, you will be smitten all over again. :)

having a sweet newborn & a 3 year old, my advice is to make a point of even 10 minutes just for your big boy every day. simon is probably more understanding than a 3 year old, but it just seemed that everytime he needed something i was nursing. you know how it is that first month or two. to keep him feeling like "the one" i spent these exclusive mom and zach moments together building train tracks, digging in the dirt, swinging, or taking a walk. the other idea is to walk as a family. it engages everyone and it's good for ya!
i wish you more bliss than you can even imagine. little girl edwards will be such a pleasure. even though you feel uncertain of the way things will be, be comforted in that your life will be more full and complete than ever before.
can't wait to see the babe!

You will be just fine. You're so lucky to have your mama there to help. My advice: savor her. And. I do not believe you can hold a new baby too much. Excited to *meet* her!!!

Ali, The best part about becoming a mother for the second time is: you already know what to do. Trust me, you are READY. :) I hope the delivery goes well and you & new little A are face to face in the next few days. Take some time off from your wonderful blog to REST.... you deserve it. Seriously! As for Simon, he just might surprise you with how excited he will be to share his world. Thank you for sharing your life with us! Too bad you can't just plug in a mesmerizing craft DVD to entertain us all until you come back...! ha!

Congratulations, Ali to you and your family!
May you enjoy each and every minute!!

With in excess of 300 comments to your call for newborn advice I am thinking that I don't need to offer any.
Just wanted to stop by and wish you luck for the safe arrival of your baby princess ... we had our 3rd baby last September after an EIGHT year gap ... I was so nervous about a newborn in the house and trying to fit in everything with the big kids ... but so far (almost 5 months) it all works ... baby Freddie has brought so much joy to our family and his big brother and sister are wonderful helpers ... but best of all, I know so much more this time and I am really enjoying every little moment because I fully understand how quickly time passes.
So my advice is to enjoy your precious baby ... she will sleep through the night ... she will smile ... she will sit up ... she will crawl ... she will walk ... she will be all grown up before you know it so ENJOY it all ... best of luck ... Pip

Best wishes for a healthy and happy delivery. What a wonderful experience.
I'm with everyone else here: get some good, healthy, quick food into the house. If friends and family offer help but don't specify, let them bring food or groceries over (and don't let them forget Simon!). We had people bringing food and groceries on and off for several weeks and it was the best.
Some advice that was given to me before my son was born (but I ignored and wish I hadn't): take care of any little life/everyday details before the baby gets here. Just don't forget that everything is like, 9,000 times harder when you have a little baby to "help" you with your errands. Running to the post office could qualify for an olympic event when there's a baby involved! :)
And all the usual advice: snuggle them to pieces, give yourself a break, remember that you will eventually regain some semblance of order/normalcy at some point. Enjoy the ride!
Best wishes!

"I am a different person in lots of ways compared to who I was when Simon was born. Many, many things have impacted me tremendously over the past seven years. I am looking forward to meeting myself in this new role. I will be gentle with myself. I will seek help when I need it. I will savor and celebrate as many moments as I can.
Looking back and looking ahead and being in the right here, right now. "
You don't need any tips Ali - you said it all in those 6 sentences. Blessings to you and your soon-to-be-expanded family.

Ali,
So excited for all of you! My youngest daughter is just about 2, and her sister is 9, so I can relate with what you're going through with the age difference. My oldest has had, and continues to have, some issues adjusting to not being the one and only--but she is also old enough to really appreciate her sister and adores her as much as we do. We are lucky that she takes out her resentment on us, and not on her sister. :) With the comments you've made about Simon being excited, it sounds like that'll be a great transition. Oh--I did hear some advice to always call it "our baby." You're probably already doing that. :)
I will say that I was amazed (it having been so long) that my brain was as mush at it was. I heard about the Itzbeen (you can find it on Amazon) once my little one was past the point of me really needing it, but I would've given my eye tooth to have had it those first few months. Especially when there is care being traded from one person to another. That'd be my tip. :)
Praying for a smooth and easy delivery for you and baby and Dad and Simon, too. We're all so anxious to meet her! (not as anxious as you guys, I'm sure!)