Right now.

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--

So very, very happy for you... :-)
My daughter is 7, so I'm having trouble remembering some good advice for a newborn as well! So.... I'll just say, when you're feeling better after recovering from the c-section, make a date with Chris... :-)

Don't worry about not remembering what it was like to have a newborn. Even if you do, each child is very different and needs different things. It took me several months to "toss out" the notes from my first and stop comparing, and I am happy I did.

Soak up every minute of being a family of three! This will never return after the baby is born. Special moments will arrive, but it's o-so-special being just the 3 of you. I wish I had lived the last moments of being just a family of three more intense.

I know it will all come back to you. I too had a repeat C and it went much smoother the second time.
Take advantage of your mom all you can and don't overdo it. I always overdid it :)
Someone already mentioned premade meals. I'd also suggest having quick, easy snacks around once you get home. I always needed something quick and wanted to just grab something.
Good luck and congratulations again!

best of luck, Ali.
hug simon and rest easy.

Good luck Ali, I hope all goes well and wish you and your family all the best. You are a wonderful mom of one and soon to be a super wonderful mom of two!

Oh- I would love to see a last photo of just the 3 of you. Perhaps an Edwards Family version 3.5 :)

Don't be afraid to ask for help when needed. I had a 2 yo son when my twins were born, and appreciated every single person, whether it was meals, holding one of the babies, or taking my oldest out for ice cream.
The second c-section was easier than my first, but then one of the twins was natural delivery, then a c-section. Brutal!!!
You will totally get back into the flow with a newborn, best wishes for a smooth delivery!

You are going to be a fabulous mom...again! You already are! Savor each moment...I'm sure you know already...they pass by so quickly. And I had two c-sections. The second recovery was much easier than the first!!! My girls are now 7 and 6. It seems like yesterday...but of course time has gone by so fast!!!! ;D Best of luck!!!

I loved reading your "Right Now" list! It reminded me of a poem I used to read to expectant parents in my childbirth classes.
THESE LAST FEW HOURS
It is important to me
That I spend a part
of the next few hours here
Alone with you in the darkness
You and I will never be this close again
By morning you will be a tiny person all your own
No longer the kicking, demanding bulge in my body
That I have grown to love so well
I pray God will safely guide you
on your journey tonight
And I ask him for the strength
to help you all I can
Again you signal your impatience to be free
Time to wake your Daddy
-Liquorian
Blessings and peace as you await your new little one!

It will all come back to you! Although there will probably be days when you wonder if you actually did this same thing 7 years ago (for me it was 5 years). I just had a baby girl a year ago, after 5 years as a family of 3 (I also had a son first) and it was challenging in some ways, but oh so worth it. I also had a repeat c-section and it was so much easier the 2nd time.
Best wishes for a safe and healthy delivery!

Dear Ali,
I am so happy for you - having a new baby is such a joy - the smell, the touch - the PINK!!!
I have one question:
you mentionned that for a while you taught of only having Simon... is the fact that he has autism influenced your decision in any way?
I have an autistic (high fonctionning) son (5 yrs old) myself and the taugh of having another child with autism with low fonctionning is a bit scary for us - we've been told that we have higher risks.
Did you and Chris go thru the same questionning as me and my husband? What made you go for a second pregnacy? I am quite confuse and sad about the ONLY child thing and my husband is scared like hell. lol
thanks - again I am so happy for you.

The flowers are beautiful...I love fresh flowers too.
I have actually had a few C-sections (after one natural birth) and I love them...hope your recovery goes well!
I don't have a ton of tips for those first weeks despite the fact that I am pregnant with #5...because, honestly, every baby and every situation is just so different. Enjoy all the good moments and pray your way through any tough moments and you'll be fine :) Can't wait to see your new bundle of joy!

Best of luck, Ali!

God Bless You and your little family, Ali.. Thank you so much for your unselfish sharing and inspiration... Can't wait to meet the new little one...Love ya!
Maria