Adding Another Princess to the Family.

The hosptial in Athens has Baby and ME classes for siblings where they learn how to diaper a baby. They talk about the new baby and at the end the child gets to make the baby a picture and gets a big brother or sister t-shirt. You may want to see if they offer a class like that where you live. It was free at the time my daughter did it.

My daughter was 3 years 2 months old when I had my son. We spoke about the baby coming to prepare her but the one piece of advise that really helped me was...when I knew I was going to be putting the baby down for a nap I'd speak to the baby (in front of my 3 yo) saying "I can't play with you right now, I promised your sister that we would read a book/play/etc."
My daughter felt special that I was saying "no" to the baby some times and spending time with her. When I had to do something for the baby (bath, change diaper, etc.) she was fine with it.
I also asked her to help me whenever I could (ie, get a diaper, wash cloth, etc.). I would always thank you and compliment her on being a great big sister.
Before my son was born I brought my daughter to Target to pick out a gift for the baby. My son still loves the stuffed alligator she gave him (he is 9 yo now). I also had a present to give her at the hospital and said it was from her little brother.
Hope these ideas help.
Enjoy!

My son was 21 months when my daughter was born. It sounds weird but I bought him a baby doll that had diapers and a bottle. I showed him what would happen when the baby came home. I even went as far as going through daily routines. When our daughter was born we let him help with bringing us bottles, diapers, wipes, creams Etc. He helped change her diaper by pulling and placing the tabs and throwing them away. Not once did he become jealous or clinging for attention. During bath time, I would place her baby tub in the big tub and they would bathe together. He would help by washing her feet and hands. He was always so gentle. Congratulations on your new addition.

My first daughter was 25 months when my second daughter was born. She adjusted really well but I did try to do little things to help her out at first. Like I talked a lot about her having a baby sister soon so she new a baby was coming. Once our second was born I would always ask my 2 year old if she wanted to "help" mommy and she loved doing that. Just simple things like getting a diaper for her sister, helping with her bath, getting a burp rag etc. She loved being the big sister. And because an infant sleeps so much when she napped I would take time to just do something with my 2 year old. Like color, play with playdough, read a book etc. I think that helped her to still feel like she had alone time with me too.

My daughters are 21 months apart so I really didn't talk much about the new baby coming to her. We did talk about it, but I didn't sit her down (as if having a sex talk) and have a serious conversation. It took more of the, oh, let's go together and pick some clothes for our new baby to wear or when the new baby comes she will......BUT, I had a "VERY" special gift ready and as soon as no. 2 was born, Daddy brought her to me and we BOTH presented her with her big sister gift. She LOVED it!
After she was born, I let her hold her sister as soon as I could (with lots of help, of course) and I love the pic of that! She has the biggest grin!
I was nursing, so I'd be sure to have room beside me, and she would be held throughout. The new baby's nap time became our special cuddle time!
Although I am the youngest, I have fond memories of climbing into my mommy's bed and that more than anything she did showed me how important I was, so I continued times like this!! Some things are timeless, our children want our time and love to feel secure.
Congratulations, I'm sure you'll do a great job and best of luck with both of your babies.

How old is she? My girls are 6 1/2 years apart. My DD loved helping pick out the baby's clothes, diapers, reading to her, holding her and it made her feel so so good to hear what a great big sister she is! They're 3 and 9 now and still so good together. ;) Congrats on the new addition!