Right now.

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!

My tips;
get on the Tracy Hogg (Baby Whisperer) EASY rountine...E-eat (feed baby) A-activity (change diaper, bath etc) S-sleep (swaddle baby and put her down while still awake) Y-you (mommy time to shower, eat, sleep)
This routine was a life saver as it took all the guesswork out of those first few weeks. Also, if you haven't watched Priscilla Dunstan's video about decoding babies cries...it's a must! I was able to pick out 4 of the 5 cries with my newborn and even my 4 year old could distinguish the 'neh' (hungry) cry.
http://kmwithlori.wordpress.com/2006/11/30/the-secret-language-of-babiesunderstanding-the-cries-of-babies-0-3-months-old/
Good luck!

WOW! you have a lot of tips to read.
But mine is this.. Stay in your robe all day!
even if you have company coming over. They won't stay long because the robe suggested you are tired!
And one more,
Remember it is ok to say no to guests the first couple of weeks. Baby will be small for a good month or two!
Good luck, it is like riding a bike. it all comes back to you!
Just enjoy those first days together as a new family of FOUR!

so exciting!
something that i wan'st so good iwth my first baby, and plan on being better with the second- is letting people help when they offer. and making sure they're helping w/the cleaning, cooking, etc, so that i can hold the baby (not the other way around!)
ooh, and i really like kym's advice! i'm going to do that, too.

My first born was a very eye-opening experience. I had post-partum depression and NOTHING was what I had anticipated it to be. We had our second child, Aubrey Elizabeth (another great A name) 21 months ago. The second time around I was so much more relaxed and mentally prepared to be "ok" with whatever curve balls may be thrown my way. Without having grand expectations there were no disappointments when things went differently. It was such a blessing being able to really enjoy the second time around and live in the moment. I was actually very, very pregnant with Aubrey when I took your "Week in the Life" class at CKU Detroit.
Thinking of you and sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers your way. Congratulations to you all on beginning a beautiful new chapter in your lives!

Ali, looking forward to seeing your new baby girl A when she's ready to greet us...having a now just 4 month old and my almost 3 year old son, you'd be amazed at what things you forget and what comes rushing back to you in love and memory. Make time for yourself, everyday, even 10 minutes will help. Ask for help when you need it, people are more than happy to accommodate. I couldn't sleep when the baby slept either, maybe the change in hormones, or the continuing nesting instinct. I was voraciously hungry though from all the nursing, so any visitors really had to bring food because I always needed to eat...almonds, yogurt, cereal, keep something easy to eat on hand and eat right after the baby eats. Enjoy each moment, they are fleeting and precious; different, same and awe-inspiring.

It will be amazing how old Simon seems ehrn you come home from the hospital. Take a few more photos before you go...especially of you two together. While it will never be the same (I believe it's actually better and speak as the mom of two) it is important to remember what has been as well. I found the second child MUCH easier...none of that "They let me leave the hospital without an instruction manual?" feeling. I imagine part of the reason my second child is a bit more outgoing than the first was that I was more relaxed with her. The wonderful things is that you now know that you aren't likely to "break" them. So what if it isn't perfect...it doesn't mean the end of the world (and for someone as perfectionistic as me, that's hard to say :) Live in the moment...they pass SO quickly. (My youngest just turned 10...)

My best advice after 4 kids...wrap her nice and snug to sleep! All the best!

I am so happy for you about to welcome a daughter into the world. I wished for one of each sex~got 2 boys that I love with all my heart, but there is still a place somewhere that misses a daughter. You will be VERY blessed!
With baby #1, I had a C-sec. because the cord was around his neck too many times, but I had a sucessful VBAC the 2nd time and I enjoyed that birth experience much more. I trust your reasons for being comfortable with a 2nd C-sec. , but wanted to share my positive all natural birth victory the second time around with you!

Best of luck Ali. Can't wait to see your pictures. The thing that helped us the most with establishing a routine for our three girls was giving a bath every night at the same time. It works like a charm to let the baby know it's settling down time. The warm bath helps them get sleepy and settled in for a long night's rest.

Oh, Ali, I am so very happy and excited for you. This is such an incredibly special time.
You are a great mom, and this baby girl is so very fortunate that your are going to be her mommy!
I can't wait to hear all the details. HAVE FUN!

I agree with the others, I think you will be surprised at how much comes back to you and you should trust your instincts. A book I would highly recommend (both health and non health worker moms have loved this book in my experience) is "Baby Love" by Robin Barker - it is an Australian book but I checked and it seems to be available on Amazon.com. It is useful for both the newborn period but also when the baby is a little older too. Good luck with everything and I look forward to hearing the news.

This is such a precious time. I am teary eyed reading this because we have three children (and three c-sections) and every time it is such a wonder. And when you change nappies on the newborn for the first time you are really embarrassed at how small they are: even smaller than you think your first child was because you have only the other child as comparison at the moment and forgotten about the delicacies of babies. I so love being pregnant and living the wonder of the new beginning all through and I waould definitely have another one if it wasn't for my age. All the best to you and your loved ones! I really admire your work and love your blog where you are sharing your work and your life!
Hugs!
Yvonne

Don't forget your Boppy pillow! Do you have one? It's the best for when you're nursing and are nodding in and out from pure exhaustion. Great support for you and precious baby girl! Excited for you!!!

We too were a unit of 3 for 7 years. Then our younger son came home, adopted at the age of 4. It's funny now, looking back on my fears...Could I love our younger child as much as our older child? Would I remember how to do it all? Would I be able to juggle it all? Could I help our older son to not feel displaced?
Things aren't perfect, but they are awfully darn good. Our unit of 4 is every bit as filled with love as our unit of 3. I remembered how to handle the "early" years with only a few major bumps, and what I had "forgotten", I quickly relearned. I still find balance to be fleeting, but I keep plugging away knowing perfection need not be my goal. And our older son still feels loved, 7 years later, despite the fact that there are fewer hours in the day set aside for him alone.
Life is good, and thankfully we really have been blessed with an unending capacity to love. My "advice"...keep your heart open to that love and the rest will work itself out. :-)

Ali, I had a C.Section for both of my daughters. The only advice I will give is to take it easy, do only what you feel you can, take any help offered and enjoy your new little one! Congratulations to you and your family!

I'm a mom of three little boys (7,5 & 2). In the thick of it with my third baby after all the help has gone home I remember feeling overwhelmed. It felt like I was living and breathing feeding, changing, waking day and night, literally. People told me, it does get easier. It did, we eventually came into a routine. It helps to get out of the house too. Just appreciate the baby smell. I miss so much holding baby to my chest upright and baby snuggling in and smelling his hair. Love that!

That happy-sad feeling....I always feel so relieved when I hear someone else mention it. Before my second child was born, I snuck in to kiss my first son goodnight and ended up in tears. I guess I was kind of grieving for the days of just the 3 of us - because those were wonderful days and nothing would ever be the same. It all vanished when the baby was born, and everything felt...just right.
I can't wait to hear your happy news.

I just regret not taking more pics (even though i took lots) and journaling when both of mine were babies, best of luck to you, although you really sound like you have everything ready, just enjoy every moment!
Congrats!
yasmin
ps i really enoy reading your blog, thanks for sharing!

My advice is to love that new baby. That's all. Throw away the to do list. Let your mom and husband and whoever else offers do the cleaning, cooking, whatevering. Just because you start to feel able to take on new projects and tasks, DON'T DO IT! Give yourself and baby a few weeks to eachother. Life fills up so fast, don't rush it.
Peace to you and your new family.

I have prayed my mother's amethyst (look whose birthstone that is!) rosary for you, Ali. I know you will love your little girl. I love mine and she's already 16. Not a day will go by that Simon won't be a proud big brother, even in the times she annoys the heck out of him. He will be strong for her and will always have her back. Those of us in the scrapping community have loved your personal commitment to sharing your life and loves with us. Know that we love the old you and the new you to come. Can't WAIT to see her!
Terri