Right now.

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

Ahhhh, the plannednes (I know that isn't a word) of the repeat c-section. I chose that route, after much indecision, with my second child and for me it was the absolute best decision I've ever made. I thought I might regret not trying a VBAC. But I haven't. Not even once. Good Luck!!!! I can't wait to see the baby.

I had my second c-section 5 months ago, and my last. :) I must say it was not bad at all and so much easier than the first. I was able to get up faster and was not in that much pain. So hope it goes well for you too! She will be a beautiful little delight I hope. :)

Ali, thanks so much for your blog. Seemingly, we would not have much in common as I am a single woman 53 years old. But, each day you have something to say that touches me and makes me pause and think. You have a lot to say to women so "keep on truckin'" we love you! You are about so much more than scrapbooking.

you are going to love world without and end. Ken follet books are the best. happy baby! michelle

Congratulations to the Edwards family! My little one will turn 7 weeks on Sunday and I cannot believe how the time has flown. My only advice to you is the same I keep telling myself: enjoy it. Even the late nights, the diapers, the crying. I look back at our early photos of Avery and see just how much she's grown and changed already. They are this small for such a short while.

Oh, I remember those days . . . those few precious days before my second was born.
And I felt guilty at times. Guilty that I was changing my son's life SO much, without any warning to him. (heck, he was only 15 months old, how much can you truly prepare him)
But I remember those extra hugs I gave him. And how bittersweet I felt about those last days.
But now? The sibling relationship is SO much more than I could have ever anticipated. It's the most amazing thing I've ever had the pleasure to witness.
It's an amazing time and it sounds like you are at complete peace. Save this and re-read it when it turns to chaos. Because it will. But it will also settle back down again.
Best of luck!

Sounds like you are ready to go. So excited to share this adventure via your blog. Please have your mom or chris post to your blog so we know when the blessed event happens.
My only recommendation is don't hesitate to ask for help. So many people love you all and will be right there to help.
keeping you and your family in our prayers and give a pat to Lily too,

Yeah, the good news is that it does all come back, but so do the things like sleepless nights! As some of the others said though, enjoy all the craziness because as you well know, those days seem to go so quickly...
As my midwife told me though, don't let anyone in unless they've got food with them and they're offering to help in some way! :o)
Hope the delivery goes smoothly and you're home before you know it as a family of four!

I love your willingness to take it all in as it comes. I don't have children, but I would say "amen" to everyone's advice to just soak in the days. :)

Ali, I've followed your blog for a number of years now and I too have a son the same age as Simon. I wish you and your family all the very best for this special time you are about to embark, my only tip - savor it! I don't know you personally but you ooze such wonderful qualities through your blog and those alone will be what's so special about your new journey. Good luck Ali, I look forward to watching you enjoy it.