Right now.

really beautiful thoughts on the three of you becoming the four of you. many blessings on the birth. the newborn days are a pretty far memory for me too - the best advice i can think of right now i guess pretty much goes for everyday - breath. let go as best you can of the things the mind wants to hold onto/cling to or get away and let yourself be in the moment, tending to whatever it is that needs you then. every moment is fleeting. that's my newborn advice. that and also you can never take too many newborn pictures. :)

just wanted to wish you well on your new adventure.
no advice; just some observations. my girls are two years apart and i had a fast second labor. my older daughter came to visit me in the hospital about three hours after i left home. when she walked in she looked huge! like she had grown a foot in three hours -- very strange! i also made sure to NOT being holding the new baby when she arrived and i greeted her first. and i had a little gift in the bassinet from the baby to her. i know simon is much older than my older daughter was, but you may want to do some variation of this.
also, one of the absolute best things about having two is watching them play together. their relationship will develop much sooner than you think. even with simon being older, your new baby girl will begin to relate to her brother in ways that will delight you. enjoy it all!

You sound wonderfully prepared and with a wonderful spirit about this new person coming into you lives. I love the part about being gentler to yourself, I shall carry that with me today. Thanks.

I don't think you need advice Ali...just wanted to wish you all the best for the delivery, and can't wait to see pics of your new little pink bundle. Must admit, I am feeling a little jealous...love that special newborn time.
Hugs to you and your family xxx

Just LOVE her and the rest will come! ...

So excited for you and your family. Its truely a pleasure to check your blog each day for a special message. It is my gift to myself really. I wish you every happiness, and the time to enjoy every moment.
Best Wishes

Hi Ali, I wish you all the best these next couple of weeks. I have had two c-secions and am anticipating my 3rd in a few months.
My only advice to offer you is to not forget that you are recovering from the c-section. I spent a long time recovering from #2 c-section (longer than #1) because I didn't slow down. I kept racing around trying to be the same mother to my first daughter (as I was before her sister was born)and to be a good mother to my new daughter. It took longer to recover because of that. I am sure you will be just fine though.

When my 4 1/2 year old was born, we watched Dr. Karp's Happiest Baby on the Block video. It talks about the 5 Ss that the baby need: Sucking, Shushing/White noise, Swinging/Shaking in a vibrating papasan, Side-lying position, and Swaddling. All of those really helped to pacify an upset baby. We had really good experience using the techniques and ended up swaddling until Ella was 6 months old. You can look at the youtube videos of parents using the techniques. I wish you an easily calmed baby and one that sleeps!

Wishing you well as your family grows! There are 3 1/2 years between my two. That second one is so different in many way. You know what you're getting into because you're already a mother, but a mother of two wow you never thought your heart could be big enough to love them so! It's awesome!

Oh, Ali...does this ever bring back memories for me. I had my second daughter 6 years after my first. Like you, I wondered if I would remember how to take care of a newborn again. Just letting you know, it comes back. I was a bit apprehensive during my pregnancy...but there was no need. All was well & I wish you the best! One more tip: give extra hugs to Simon once she is born. I made sure I gave my eldest some time alone with me (that was extremely hard to do, but I just took the time to do it). Lots of hugs!

I definitely recommend buying a sling and using it often in those first months (New Native makes my favorite).
Don't think you have to clean the belly button or give baths three times a week... I kept it natural and simple so I had more time for sleeping and both my kids were always very clean and healthy.
During the newborn crying marathons, take turns with your husband if possible -- at least you can recharge for the next session that way.
That's all I can think of as far as tips on newborn care. I know it will all come flooding back to you when they put her in your arms :-)

I think she will be here this weekend Ali!! I had a dream you named her AVA.... do you have a name for her yet??? Did you announce it and I missed it??
I had a c-section with my little boy also... I thought it wasn't so bad after all! I think the best advice is just to enjoy every minute of it!!! It seems to be gone before you know it! Can't wait to see pictures of her! And since you are a scrapbooker, I know we will get to see plenty of them ! CAN'T WAIT! That's nice your mom is there to help you out! Take every little bit of help she gives you! You will need it, and she wants to be there for you! THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR LIFE WITH US!!

Well, some of the things that meant the most to me when I had my new babies, you appear to be doing too.
1)have your mom there
2)take pictures
3)sleep
4)eat well
5)allow others to help, take them up on their offers
As for c-sections, that is the only thing I knew so for me, recovery was never very hard and by #2 I knew pretty much what to expect.
Best of luck. I cannot wait to see this next chapter unfold for you.

the only bit of advice I have is buy a little present for the older sib from the baby & when they first meet give it to them! I'm an older sib & I remember that although I was happy to finally see my baby brother, I was also put out by not being the center of attention (I got over it quickly) but I always make a special something for the older sib or sibs when sending the congratualtions card as people often over look them because of the new baby! Anyhoo good luck but I don't think you will have a problem seeya hugya *G*

what a wonderful, exciting and tiring time you are about to enter! :) I remember sort of mourning the loss of our family of three but became so much more blessed by our daughter Zoe's presence and seeing our oldest daughter mary become the greatest big sister ever! Simon will be a great big brother and you will wonder where that little girl of yours has been your whole life! Blessings to you and your new growing family!

Ali - it will be great - I have an 8 YO and a 2 YO, so I can relate to the feelings. . .
best wishes -
Hillary

My piece of advice is to schedule a "date" with Simon to be one-on-one with a parent at least once a week. If possible, more than that. Even if it's just taking him to Target and sitting down to have some popcorn before you pick up baby essentials! Or take ten minutes and take him away from possible baby interruption and play Slap Jack. It was so easy for me to keep saying, "In a minute..." to our older son. I wish I'd done that differently the second time around! Best wishes for an easy delivery. I had a repeat c-section and it was a good choice for us, too.

Baby #2 is so much easier,
trulY! Plus Simon is at a great age for being mama's big helper! He can do so many things! He can even feed the baby! my girls were 19 months apart and while it was hard it was nice in many ways once we got past the first year LOL!
You will do great! just take lots of pictures, spend lots of time cuddling cause the 2nd one goes by way too fast! Cause you will still have to do all the firsts with your older one, like homework, studying etc! one nice thing for you for sure is the fact you have the whole day with just the baby while simon is at schooL! Good luck and have fuN! sounds like you are ready!
tara

Hi Ali,
Just enjoy every minute, it goes by so fast :)
I had my son 9 1/2 months ago (also 2nd C-sec) and have a 2 1/2 year old daughter. I think I was able to enjoy everything that much more second time round.
I had the same feelings of guilt as Kym (who posted above) about giving my daughter enough attention when new baby arrived. Definitely great if you can manage some alone time with Simon so he still has his Mama to himself for a while - even if it's an hour a week.
Wishing you a happy and healthy delivery!

oh! such a tender time -- and it sounds like you're "there" in the moment. i also remember doing a ton of reading before my babies were born and then once they were born, lying in bed with them, nursing, and reading and reading and reading.
i remember one of the biggies for me about taking care of babies was reading in Brazelton's Touchpoints that babies need to cry -- like letting out the steam on the pressure cooker. if they're fed and dry and not sick but they're crying --- just hold them calmly and let them cry without stressing about how to make it stop--without worrying about being in control.
all best to all of you.