Right now.

I'm a lurker, but want to stop in and wish you well with the delivery and your new little one. I've just finished World Without End and it was a wonderful read...could hardly put it down. Advice for the second child? Enjoy every moment for suddenly they'll be grown and you'll wonder how it happened so quickly!

You will do amazing and so excited for you all. Make sure when you are all home, that the noise level stays the way it is now - movies, music, etc - then baby will sleep thru anything. You'll be back at it in now time, so wonderful to have a newborn around. So nice that your mom is coming to help you - that is wonderful. Give Simon lots of hugs and kisses and the time you give him now, he is going to be such a big help and you will do amazing with all your patience and guidance. What a thrill.
God Bless and can't wait to meet your newest family member.

I think the most important thing is to remember to take time for yourself. Since your mom will be there for a few weeks, it sounds like having time to yourself will be manageable. The blog world can wait... we're rather forgiving people. :)
Can't wait to find out her name!

Many blessings on you, Ali.
One thing I thought as I read your blog today and you asked for advice....don't feel guilty about any less attention Simon gets from you, especially in the first few weeks. You are giving him a sister, an incredibly precious gift! You know he is very well loved and cared for. How fun to have your family grow!

I was just thinking yesterday, that a year ago, I was 9 weeks away from having our 4th child - a bit strange, but exciting as I tried to recall, as you are now, what it was like to care for a newborn as our other 3 were 10, 7 & 5. It seemed like it had been forever since there was a "baby" around.
This little boy of ours is now almost 10 months old, and as much as I've done everything in my power to savor every moment with him and focus on drinking it all in - I'm still left thinking - where the heck did 10 months go?? Is my baby seriously almost a year old?
Thank you for sharing these little thoughts and preparations you are making for baby "A" with us. It is so heartwarming. I imagine your hearts will simply overflow with love the second you lay eyes on your sweet baby girl. I'm sure you will all spend many a day just snuggling and looking into her eyes - what a thrilling addition to your sweet family, what a joy for Simon to be a big brother - he's at a great age to truly appreciate and bond with his new little sister. Here's to a wonderful, delivery - can't wait to "meet" Baby "A"!

When I was in labour with my second child I remember feeling a sense of loss for my first. Would I have enough love for two? Now I have three. Our hearts have an amazing capacity for love. We don't divide it up it just grows.
Enjoy every moment with you baby. I love the concept of a babymoon. Have a great one!

I'm a huge fan of swaddling! I swaddled my kids before bedtime up until they were like 9 months. And around the clock their first few months. It will all come back to you, you'll do great! Good luck!

You will be fine! I had my second baby (a girl also) in Sept. My son is turning 6 in a couple weeks. I felt the same things and it's amazing how it all comes back to you and the older & oh so protective big brother really does play the role well :) Good luck!!

You and your sweet family are in my prayers!!

PS - and enjoy the baby time, because as you know with Simon they grow up way too fast. I couldn't get enough cuddle time when Brody was born and I knew he was our last - he turned 7 just before Simon, the girls are now 22 and 24, and I still wish they were little so that I could cuddle them all the time.
Enjoy the now - which is something you always do!!! I am so excited for you all - hope if she comes before scheduled that all goes well.

I am expecting our second child (they will also be seven years apart) this Thursday. He will be 3 weeks early, but complications...I am having a second c-section as well and am also at peace with the decision. It is amazing how much more calm and quietly joyful our whole family is about this little bundle's arrival even though we are not necessarily prepared due to his eagerness. It seems we have come to peace with the fact that we can handle whatever comes our way. Best of Luck !!

Can't wait to see pics of the new little one and read more on how you settle in to life after her arrival.
My best advice, don't be ashamed to ask for help if you need. Most are more than willing to help and we need to set our pride aside as new mothers thinking we can do it all, and ASK if we feel overwhelmed.
Wishing you an easy birth and quick recovery!

The main thing I learned after the struggles with my first baby, was to just be prepared with food. I froze about two weeks worth of meals and took lots of healthy snacks to the hospital. I had so many problems nursing with my first and put it down to the fact that I just wasn't eating enough. Just having food ready and available made all the difference the second time around.

What gems! Both your photo and your words. I am sure you all will do wonderfully. I have learned so much from reading your blog and my kids are teenagers. Enjoy the time coming ahead.

Hi Mom of Ali!
How very nice of you that you rushed to Ali and her family to support them for the next weeks. Your daughter is really someone special. She spends time to give inspiration, to write down her ideas and thoughts on her blog and lets the "Ali-internet-community" to get a glimpse of her lovely family. I'm looking forward to see a picture of the new-born!
Take good care yourself, all the best of luck to you and your growing family! - Julia

Hi Mom of Ali!
How very nice of you that you rushed to Ali and her family to support them for the next weeks. Your daughter is really someone special. She spends time to give inspiration, to write down her ideas and thoughts on her blog and lets the "Ali-internet-community" to get a glimpse of her lovely family. I'm looking forward to see a picture of the new-born!
Take good care yourself, all the best of luck to you and your growing family! - Julia

It sounds like you're preparing mentally and in the home just perfectly. I'm always glad to hear of people who do a repeat c-section (although I never offer my advice on that!) as my best friend and her baby almost died when her uterus ruptured during a v-bac.
I think you will be in awe at how much of a bond is there between your two children. I love seeing that every day (even if it is sometimes a love/hate relationship!) I think a sibling is the best gift you can ever give a child. Enjoy!

You need no advice...your heart knows exactly what to do. Just enjoy every minute of it. Best wishes and for safe delivery of baby A.

Oh Ali, reading your words just brought it all back for me. Being a Mom the second time around was such a different experience from the first. Both different but each wonderful experiences. Now for the third we adopted so that was completely different again but still wonderful.
Best wishes to you, Chris and Simon as your family is about to grow very soon. So nice to have your mama there with you as well.
Take care.

Wow, Ali. I wish I had that much peace before my babes were born. I think the asking for help when its needed is such a huge part of adapting to life with a new baby. When I think about my boys' first weeks, the first thing that comes to mind is our reliance on swaddle wraps. They area life-saver to sleep deprived parents who can't wrap a tight blanket for anything! http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2609021
Wishing you continued peace and contemplation for the weeks ahead!

Seven years is a big spread -I know - I have the same spread between baby #3 (a boy - now 15 years old) and baby #4 (a girl -8 years old). Of course you are different but it's just like riding a bike you never forget how to care for your baby (whether it's your second or fifth). Just enjoy every minute of every day and the tenderness that Simon will show with the newest addition will be amazing. My youngest two are girls and they have their older brothers wrapped around their little fingers and when the girls say jump - they don't even ask how high - they just do it!!!!
Plus your mom is there with you and moms always have the best advice!
My thoughts are with you - take care!!!

Oh! This is so exciting! I love reading all you're sharing - the emotions & all. I can only imagine all you're thinking about & feeling, having had only one child myself - but I know that you & your entire family have so much love to give your children, no one will feel bereft.
I pray your c-section goes easily (I think it's the best way to go! lol) & that you & your baby girl are home safe & well quickly.

hi ali,
what an exciting time for you and your family.
you're in my thoughts and prayers.
i also had a repeat c-section. best decision.
hugs,
erin

Ali-
I am so excited for your new chapter as a family to begin. Your words in this post brought tears to my eyes. Congrats to you all!!
My best advice would be to savor every single second, hold the new baby as much as possible, and let Simon hold the baby as often as possible so they form a strong bond. Good luck!!
Star

I had our 4th last May when our older kids were 7.5 years (our oldest, a boy), and 6 year old boy/girl twins. It has been amazing the difference in how my husband and I deal with the newborn issues (we're much more relaxed) and how wonderful it has been to see the love for baby Henry from the older children. I had forgotten quite a bit (I had forgotten a lot about starting solids) and a few little things had changed (they no longer recommend using rubbing alcohol to clean the umbilical cord stump), but I am so much more appreciative of this first year with our last child. Another positive: this baby's photos are all digital, and unlike the stereotype of the youngest having few photos from babyhood and childhood, ours has a ton!!
Best wishes for the upcoming weeks and enjoy! She is a blessed child to have all of you for her family.
Peace--