Right now.

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1. Filling the house with fresh flowers.

2. Excited that my Mom arrived yesterday and will be here with us for the next couple of weeks.

3. Watching Simon work-through his homework. Going through the routine of protest, silliness, more protest, and finally settling into concentration and then triumph & celebration at the end. 

4. Reading voraciously. Started and finished Girl with a Pearl Earring
in a couple nights. Starting World Without End
tomorrow.

5. About half-way through creating a "reflections" book for the first few weeks/month with the new baby. Planning to share images from that project on Monday unless she comes before then. I am using some older pink Anna Griffin patterned papers that I have been holding on to for something special. 

6. Our bags for the hospital are packed and ready to go with comfortable clothes and a couple sweet things for the baby.

7. Feeling calm about my choice to have a repeat c-section.

8. Hoping to finish up our taxes today. Would love to have that done and out the door before the baby comes. 

9. Trying to remember what it's really like caring for a newborn. Reading up a bit on baby care and hoping it will all come back to me (or I will relearn). I would love to read some of your favorite tips for those first few weeks if you have them (I am all good with the "sleep when the baby sleeps" mantra).

10. Simply excited beyond measure to hold this new bundle and welcome her into our lives.

Dottedline_2

It's all pretty surreal right now.

I have been thinking a lot about the three of us and the family unit we have been for the past seven years. For many of those years I was pretty sure that Simon would be our one and only. Now, with another one coming so very soon, I have been reflecting a bunch and hugging Simon just that much tighter and longer.

I am a different person in lots of ways compared to who I was when Simon was born. Many, many things have impacted me tremendously over the past seven years. I am looking forward to meeting myself in this new role. I will be gentle with myself. I will seek help when I need it. I will savor and celebrate as many moments as I can.

Looking back and looking ahead and being in the right here, right now.

Things are about to change big time once again.

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446 thoughts

  1. tracey m. says…
    02/06/2009

    Ali, the second part of your post contained some tips of your own - to be gentle with yourself, ask for help, and savor the time....
    One helped me the second time was to do her laundry and sometimes just leave it in a little basket unfolded!
    I wish you so much peace and joy for this magical time.

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  2. Angie says…
    02/06/2009

    The last few days of my daughter being an only child were so emotional for me. I did the same, hugged her tighter and longer, played with her more than usual and we did so many special, fun things in that time!
    Everything will come back to you, you will be surprised.
    I will say this... be prepared for Simon to instantly become so grown up. Having a wee one made me realize how much change my daughter had gone through. It was sweet, yet bittersweet. Savor it all, it is priceless!
    Prayers for you and yours!

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  3. Erin says…
    02/06/2009

    Ali-- I too, spent extra time pre-baby cuddling with my older one. I can't imagine that you'd need too much advice...it sounds like you have everything under control.
    My advice, is not to overdo it (especially after a c-section) Stay in the hospital as long as you are able to, so that you get some bonding time just with your new little one. My husband went back to work for the few days that I was in the hospital and my son was with grandma, so I really was "alone" at the hospital with her and just got to enjoy her by myself for a while.

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  4. MARILYN NIMMO says…
    02/06/2009

    Ali, I am so excited for you and your family. Simon will be such a great big brother and you and Chris will be great parents - again. I think the fact that you savor the moments will be the best gift in the world to this little girl and her big brother. If only all of us could follow that advice. Enjoying the moments that make up our lives is such a wonderful way to live. Best of luck and know that you have thousands of us sending prayers up for you and yours during the birth of your new little one.

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  5. Michelle says…
    02/06/2009

    Feeling your anticipation! Good luck with everything. Can't wait to see photos of new baby Edwards. Simon will be a fantastic big brother, and you are already a fabulous Mom! Just remember that.

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  6. Lenora Poulin says…
    02/06/2009

    I think you will be amazed at the confidence you will have with your second child. I remember feeling so unsure when my first daughter was born. Was I doing things right, was she supposed to breath that way, why is she crying? Tonnes of questions. With my second (8 years later!) I was relieved at the sense of confidence I felt. I wasn't afraid to ask questions and look "dumb" and I knew that it would be "ok", she probably wasn't going to break, if it felt right, then I was doing it right and for those first few weeks, if she's crying, she's probably hungry. As a side note, I have no regrets over my choice to have a repeat c-section. It was the right move for me. The one thing I really noticed the second time around was that because my second c-section was planned I was much less tired after it all. I walked in to the OR, calm and excited, as opposed to being rushed in after 10 hours of labour. I really noticed the difference after the baby arrived. Good luck!

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  7. Krista says…
    02/06/2009

    Sounds like you don't need much advice, but 3 little things come to mind ... Don't forget to let Chris participate as much as possible and thank him and make him know his presence and help is needed and appreciated (I think it can be a lonely, confusing, helpless time for dads if we're not careful); just in case she has colic, Gripe Water can be very helpful and it's all natural --can be found almost anywhere; don't stress about updating the blog. I/We will miss it terribly but know once you find your new groove, you'll give us all the updates and pictures we've been waiting with baited breath for. Good luck. Little girls are wonderful!!!!!

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  8. tracey m. says…
    02/06/2009

    Ali, you gave yourself the best advice in the second part of your post:
    -be gentle with yourself
    -get help when you need it
    -savor the time
    You will be great. Much love to you and your family durinjg this magical time...

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  9. Katie says…
    02/06/2009

    Like so many other commenter’s, I had a second baby this summer and was nervous about how my son, who had just turned three, would react to the baby and how we'd go from be "the three of us" to the "four of us"...all in all everything went very well.
    The thing that I was the happiest that I did was I bought one of the kids digital cameras for my son as his "big brother" present. We gave it to him at the hospital the day he came to meet the baby and he loved it. He ran around the whole place taking pictures of everything (a lot of floor shots, a lot of sides of the bed, etc) as the camera helped him feel like he had a special roll with the baby. One of my thoughts, prior to the birth, had been that when babies come people are always taking pictures of them…by choosing a camera as a Big Brother present, my son didn't feel excluded from the process--- he just took pictures along with everyone else of the baby and he didn’t realize that he wasn’t the center of attention.
    My son took the camera back to his grandparents with him and proceeded to document everything he did while I was in the hospital with the baby. Now, I've taken the pictures that he took (none of them are award winning photography, but they are his memories) and made them into a mini-album that documents his first days as a big brother.
    I highly recommend including older siblings in this way....I can't tell you how it helped my son to adjust and how much I love having the documentation of his important transition, as viewed through his eyes.
    Best of luck Ali!

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  10. Crystal LaDoux says…
    02/06/2009

    My advice is enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Good luck with the newest chapter of your life, soon to be written! Loved your words about hugging Simon that much tighter and longer, so true. I remember feeling that way about my daughter when I was about to have my second daughter. You wonder what life is going to be like and try to hold on the way it is.

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  11. Jeannette P says…
    02/06/2009

    Hi Ali,
    Just wanted to say how excited I am for you guys to be having a little girl soon. I LOVE babies. I have 3 of my own who are a little over 2 years apart. They are 2, 4, & 6.
    Don't worry about not remembering all the newborn parenting stuff. I think it starts coming back to you quickly & often found myself saying "oh yeah, this worked for Gabby & Braly & now it works for Morgan, whew."
    I think sleeping when baby does works best when you have just one. You have to get a little more creative with the 2nd one. Maybe not when Simon is at school but when he's home. I breastfed all 3 of my babies & found that it helped to have children's books nearby my seat so I could read & spend some time with the older ones when I was feeding the little ones. Makes them feel appreciated & loved even though this new little person takes so much of Momma's time. Wear you baby in a Bjorn or sling & she'll probably be a dream baby. I did that with all 3 of mine & it helped us form a beautiful relationship. My sister didn't with her first 2 & then did with her last & she can't believe the world of difference it made in her youngest's disposition. He husband was pretty impressed too. And try not to 2nd guess your instincts. You've done this before & by the looks of how Simon is doing, I think you have done a fantastic job. Last thing, let someone else to the laundry & make dinners & other housework if they offer. You don't have to do it all. Enjoy your little girl. Children are so precious!

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  12. stacey m says…
    02/06/2009

    These were the best tips for me...
    1. let as much sunshine in as I could - my daughter was born March 3 and we had snow on the ground that week, but still managed to let what sun we had through those cold windows.
    2. Put a heating pad in the Moses basket/basinet to warm it up before that little swaddled bundled is placed in there. (Of course, remove it right before you put her in it)

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  13. Erica Hettwer says…
    02/06/2009

    So excited for you and this new step. You will do just fine.
    My one piece of advice that I took to heart with my first is to just savor each and every moment. I did and still do, hug my son when I put him in and take him out of his carseat. I plan on doing the same with his sister when she arrives in about nine weeks.
    Oh, and enjoy having a baby the same age as your sister's!!! Close in age cousins are the best! Foster that relationship!

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  14. Tami says…
    02/06/2009

    Oh, the place your in right now is a wonderful one, and it is going to get so much better. Taking care of another infant is really like riding a bicycle. It is imbedded in your soul and it flow out of you without even thinking. I found that the second is easier on mind and body, you have been a parent before. I felt is was a sweeter experience because I didn't second guess myself, you have the confidence in knowing you can do this.
    My only advice is not to rush through the days, enjoy all of it.

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  15. Jessica says…
    02/06/2009

    Good morning Ali. First of all, thank you for your wonderful blog. It is the first blog I read every morning because there is something about that provides a sense of calm. Your words, your art and your actions provide great inspiration to me.
    I do not have children but from my observations I would say this:
    1. Respect your children
    2. Communicate with them, don't assume they won't understand something. They might suprise you.
    3. Love them unconditionally
    From your blog, it sounds like you already know these things but sometimes a reminder never hurts.
    I can't wait to meet your new blessing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Barb Wong says…
    02/06/2009

    Wishing you all the very best as you bring your new baby into the world.

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  17. Carrie Alexander says…
    02/06/2009

    Tip 1: Costco has these GREAT fruit smoothie mixes right now. 1 cup of milk+blender= healthy, one handed meal/snack (we ALL know that you become one handed with a newborn!). I get the feeling that you're not a big user of "convience" foods, but this one might actually be worth the packaging!
    Tip 2: If you're going to nurse, the "My Breast Friend" pillow is worth every stinkin penny of the $35 cost. It's flat so baby doesn't roll off like the Boppy, and it's ever so much eaiser on the inscision site to have baby resting on the pillow to nurse!

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  18. amy says…
    02/06/2009

    good luck to you ali. i'm sure it will all be smooth and so amazing. my son is 4 now and my daughter just turned 2, one thing i tried to do was always make ethan feel special during this time when nora came home. i had also went with ethan to the store to pick out a gift (of his choosing) so that he could give her a present from him when he first met her at the hospital. best wishes.

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  19. Sarah says…
    02/06/2009

    No two babies are the same, and don't stress out about not being there for Simon when he needs you, it'll happen. There is this natural balance that occurs and you will be able to fulfill all you hoped for both your children. I too had c-sections and thought the 2nd was worse because it was schedule and my body never really went into hard larbor as the first. And afterwards I couldn't pick up my then 3 year old, but Simon is older and will understand to be gentle with Mommy. I wish you all the luck and blessings.

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  20. Aimee says…
    02/06/2009

    Congratulations. You will be surprised at how much you forgotten and how much you've remembered. Something that I wasnt prepared for when having my second child and it only lasted a couple of days was , guilt. I felt guilty that my new baby wasn't getting the undivided attention that his older sister had and that my older child was no longer getting my undivided attention. Like I said, it only lasted a couple of days but I wasnt prepared for those feelings.
    Many joyful blessings.

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  21. Renee in CO says…
    02/06/2009

    Hi Ali! I'm so excited for you! I also have a 7-year-old Simon (he'll be 8 in June), and I also just had a second child, also a girl! No worries, everything comes back! It is so wonderful, and just wait until you see how much Simon will love her! :) All the best! Renee

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  22. Leslie says…
    02/06/2009

    So happy and excited for you, Ali! Big hugs!!
    Les

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  23. Linda F says…
    02/06/2009

    As the mother of 4, I was gonna try to remember some great tips for the first few weeks, but seems like you've already got the important ones figured out (sleeping, enjoying the moment, and spending time w/ other children). It took me way too many years to realize some of those. As far as the c-section thing goes - I had four!! The last one I told the Dr he should have just installed a zipper the first time.
    Just enjoy them both...... they grow up too fast.

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  24. CinCreates says…
    02/06/2009

    It's like riding a bike, it will all come back to you. Best of luck and enjoy.

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  25. Abbey says…
    02/06/2009

    I'm so excited for you and eager for my second this summer. You are a great mom and I am sure just being you will play a big role in all of your happiness. Those early weeks are hard, but you have a good team and will do great!

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