Before-Baby To-Do List!

I can always tell when I'm starting to feel better! Firstly because I immediately start compulsively organizing and cleaning things, and secondly because I make lists!

Yes, lists. Lots of lists. I may have a problem, but I enjoy it - so bring on the lists!

One list that I make every pregnancy is a "before-baby to-do list." Last time I surprised myself by getting through almost all of my listed items, and I'm hoping for the same thing this time. One of my ever-present to-do list items that I never get around to is having the carpets cleaned, so I'm really hoping I can break through that barrier and finally get it done.

Right now I'm spending 30 minutes per day on these projects. Progress is substantial when I see how much I've gotten done, but frustratingly slow when I see how much there is yet to do! So far, after working for almost a month, I have finished almost one item. (Cleaning out the kitchen.) I think I need to work faster!

Here it is! Deadline: Mid-November unless otherwise notified! Feel free to ask questions!


To-Do Before Baby #5 Arrives!

• Clean out 2013 financial papers
• Cut my hair!
• Finish bartering arrangement with our doula, if applicable
• Pay doula by 34 weeks
• Fill out paperwork for doula, turn in
• Pay midwife by 34 weeks
• Get the 2yo sleeping in his own bed
• Move the 2yo to boys’ room
• Rearrange bureau with baby things
• Gather birth supplies
• Make birth signs, put with birth things
• Order birth kit by 32 weeks
• Go to Goodwill for two plastic bowls
• Order/receive 2 bottles of afterpains tincture
• Buy postpartum snacks
• Bake baby’s birthday cake, freeze
• Pack hospital bag
• Take hospital tour
• Have home visit
• Stock diaper bag
• Set up cradle (?)
• Plan six weeks of meals
• Freeze six weeks of meals
• Get couches cleaned
• Get carpet cleaned
• Wash bedspread
• Clean out garage
• Vacuum/wash under appliances
• Clean freezer I
• Defrost freezer II
• Vacuum fans and high places in house
• Switch children to winter clothes in early November
• Clean and store summer fans
• Finish kitchen table
• Bleach kitchen floor!
• Clean tops of kitchen cabinets
• Clean/organize
            o Kitchen
            o Laundry room
            o Living Room
            o Master Bedroom
            o Master bath
            o 3rd bedroom
            o Third bath


To-Do – Holiday Preparations

• Make Christmas control journal
• Write Christmas letter
• Prep Christmas cards
• Plan Lepkuchen Day
• Have Lepkuchen Day!
• Reformation Day Faire
• Put up Christmas decorations
• Do any Christmas shopping
• Make any Christmas gifts
• Wrap any Christmas gifts
• Make boys’ Christmas lists
• Prepare/freeze Thanksgiving dinner


To-Do, Weeks 36-39

• Buy large bag of frozen berries
• Buy bottled OJ
• Buy large amount of yogurt
• Buy snacks for birth team (granola bars, juice, etc.)
• Buy fruit juice for labor (apple, etc.)
• Stock up on paper plates, bowls, etc.


To-Do When Labor Starts

• Set up signs
• Get out blender
• Double-make bed
• Clean tub
• Get out snacks for birth team
• Buy any last-minute snack or food items