Right now.

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.

Ali, from what I know about you from the blogs you are:
1. creativity
2. caring, thoughtful, cheerful, the best
3. down to earth
Therefore, I'm sure you will be a GREAT mom
to your baby girl and Simon. Enjoy, be happy and always ask for help :-).
p.s if i find my Dear Abby advice for children I'll post.

oh, I remember trying to savor those last sweet moments with my son before the arrival of our second. I remembered being a bit scared of what was to come... how my relationship with him would change or evolve... how on earth I'd have enough love, hugs, time and attention for two kiddos. Wondering how the new baby would affect my oldest.
The good news? It is better than I could have imagined! I get to see my oldest in a new role... big brother... and to see him love our youngest with such an open heart and such delicateness... it's opened a whole new part of him for me to love!
I was NOT ready for how much time two would consume in my life. We are just now settling into a routine and in "recovery" mode around our house, and our youngest is almost six months old now. I was always behind on housework, behind on laundry, running late to everywhere... and I'm so type A that it drove me crazy. I finally feed in control again. Ahhh.
Best of luck as you welcome your little miss into the world! She couldn't be coming to a sweeter or more loving family!

Ali,
Did you see that Kal Barteski had her baby?! She has posted pics of her new baby Penn, and they both look great. Didn't you both have the same due date? I'm so excited for you and Kal with new baby girls to add to your families. Nothing sweeter than that. Mac

Ali- I would suggest reading the book The Best Baby On The Block, lots of great tips. Best wishes for your family as it grows. Tanya

All the best for the arrival of baby A and for you and your family. Best tip other than the sleep when they sleep which you will be able to do often with Simon being at school already.....I would say just enjoy her being a baby and apart of your family becasue before you know it she too will be off to school with a blink of an eye. I feel that the baby days are so tiring and you want them to rush past to the days where they sleep 8 hours a night(although i have an 8year old who still doesnt sleep that long)but i say enjoy those night time feeds where you get to bond with her and enjoy the new addition to your family.
Alison from NZ

Knowing you, and having spent time with you, you will be the most laid back easy going new Mom to baby A. It will all come back. I ams o excited for the three of you and can't wait to hear stories of Simon & his baby sister :)

Pray every morning before your head leaves your pillow (even at those ungodly hours in the morning) and everything will be put into perspective!

Ali, you summed up every emotion that I had when I was in your should 7 short months ago..
my daughter is 6 and she was over the moon about the new baby..but things will change..
in good ways..
Calm and peaceful are great ways to surround yourself with good vibes.. my repeat c-section brought me the same piece...
babies are wonderful newness.. enjoy the new..
Monique

Ali - so very excited for all of you. I, too, had a repeat c-section with my second daughter, and it was a breeze. A lot less stressful than the first. Enjoy your new one - I love that newborn time, it's unlike anything else. Being a Mommy of two is definitely different, but you are such a positive person, and a wonderful Mother already, I am sure that you will be awesome. Can't wait to see her!

You will be wonderful...it will all come back to you!
Simon will look GIGANTIC when you see him with the baby. It will seem as if he's grown overnight.
Remember to take pictures...I took so many of the first, and fewer (but the quality is significantly better) with the second. That doesn't matter to baby #2...he wants the same number of photos. Be careful here...the tit for tat just continues! ;D
Enjoy it! Can't wait to "meet" her!

Ali, our son and daughter are almost exactly eight years apart. I know I felt more confident the second time around, even with the gap in between.
I found that with our son in school I was able to rest again after he left in the morning and to have enough time to get cleaned up before he came home for lunch.
We also used a Snugli and then a back carrier much more than a stroller since it left our hands free to hold hands, etc. with our big boy. I found the carriers much easier to use the second time around because I started using it from the beginning and built up my strength as the baby grew.
I agree with Sue about having meals in the freezer. I'd go so far as to freeze other food items and stock up on your pantry staples too since it was the grocery shopping that was such a hassle.
You might want to have some “surprises” ready for Simon when you need to distract him for a short period of time while you tend to the baby. I still have a little wind-up penguin – it eventually became a “restaurant” toy.
All the best to the Edwards family at this special time.

Sounds like an exciting and wonderful time. Best wishes to your family.
So glad your mom can be there.
My mom's presence was such a wonderful blessing to me after my baby was born (x2).

My two boys have 5 yrs. between them, and I remember so clearly the alternating feelings of excitement about the new baby who would soon join us, and the sadness over saying goodbye to the 'family of three' that we had been for 5 years. When I left in the middle of the night to go to the hospital, I went in to kiss my little guy as he slept and I cried to think about how much his life was about to change when he woke up. Of course, most of those changes are all good, and having a sibling is so wonderful, but still...
One thing that helped the oldest was making a fancy sign with his photo on it to put on the baby's hospital bassinet. It said "Riley is my big brother", so all the nurses knew when he arrived at the hospital and made a fuss over him a bit, too. Having a "big brother" gift waiting at the hospital was a help as well.
All the best to you and your family as you welcome your new little bundle, Ali!

very excited for you and your family. Enjoy every moment.

hi Ali,
My fav advice to mommys is a book by Harvey Karp entitled "Happiest Baby on the Block". His tips worked like a charm on my 3rd baby. Only wish I had had it for the first 2. Congrats!!