Anyone who knows me would describe me as a Type A personality (that’s the word they’d use if they were being polite that is).
I am someone who likes to be in control. I like to know what I am doing from one point to the next. I like to have a plan, a schedule at all times. I love lists.
There is something so satisfying and therapeutic about writing down a list of tasks you need to accomplish and checking them off as you complete them. Sometimes my best friend is a highlighter.
However, when you are expecting a child there is so much to keep track of it can make even the biggest fan of lists feel a little overwhelmed.
There is the list of things you need for the nursery (crib, change table, rocking chair, crib set, lamp, decorative items etc). The list of clothing (onesies, sleepers, sweaters, hats, a snowsuit, bibs, and lots and lots of diapers). The list for bathing/grooming needs (tiny bath tub, towels, washcloths, baby soap, baby oil, brush, nail clippers etc). The list of needs for the medicine cabinet (liquid aspirin, antibiotic ointment, a thermometer, bandages etc). And none of these include larger purchases like a stroller, car seat, bassinet, breast pump, baby monitor, swing, or smaller items like toys, books, bottles etc.
One of the most important lists of all is the one of all your friends and family who are going to help you purchase all of these items - the baby shower guest list. Should you invite great aunt Margaret even though she lives four hours away and doesn’t drive?
Tired yet? My hands are hurting just thinking about the number of lists I will have to write to keep track of it all.
But as if that wasn’t enough, there are also to do lists that need to be written out and completed.
First on the list (and the most fun) is painting and preparing the nursery. This list includes choosing (and agreeing with your spouse on) paint colours, buying the paint, picking up painting supplies such as tape, trays, brushes, rollers etc.
Now you must assemble the crib - which comes with its own list of instructions. (Again this take a lot of teamwork with your spouse and can bring you together and have you high-fiving at the awesome job you did creating a space for your little one to sleep or swearing at each other while frantically searching for Part A095-F456).
Another essential list all mothers need to consider and plan for is the “hospital bag list.” I will spare you the details on a number of the recommended personal hygiene items but it is a long one.
I must add that ensuring you have made your list and checked it at least twice is very important for pregnant ladies (at least for me and my girlfriends who have recently become mamas).
We have all been afflicted by an unfortunate case of what we call “Baby Brain” that leaves us forgetting very basic things, missing appointments, losing/misplacing important items, forgetting why we went to a certain location and often spoiling food by putting it away in a cupboard or even spare room rather than the refrigerator it belongs in.
This affliction makes the task of writing lists and completing them more complicated than usual. Sometimes I will write a complete list of everything I need before grocery shopping. I will even have my husband double check and approve it. Then I will set off on my mission, feel as though I am checking off every item systematically and get home only to realize I have forgotten at least three items. Other times (when I have no one to check my work) I will write a list, know for a fact that I have picked up every item on it, only to figure out when I get home that I left a number of essential items off the list.
I’m sure once we are holding Baby G in our arms, the lists will disappear and most of the things on them will seem trivial, but for now, the to do list seems like it can never be completed in the roughly six weeks until the baby is due to make an appearance. If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go, I’ve got some items to highlight.
