1 Month

1 Month.

4 Weeks.

30 days.

And if my math is correct, 720 hours.

That’s it.  That is how much time I have left before this human being that has been encased by my skin and organs, that has only existed in pops and bumps and heartbeats, and that has only been realized by the limits of my imagination, will go from abstract to concrete. 

Barring his insistence on coming early or late, and let’s face it, if he takes on any traits of mine, I’m sure my tardiness will be a dominant gene.

Of course, I’m excited.  I’m excited to see what features of mine he inherits, if he uses his hands a lot like Joe, or if exhibits the same habits of someone completely randomly like our siblings or grandparents.  I’m excited for the birthdays and Christmases, the bike rides, the school plays, the little league games, and all that other stuff that you typically see on a children’s vitamins commercial.

But how do I get from here, where the basic requirement is to keep this thing alive, to there?  Panicking probably doesn’t help, yet I can’t help it.  There still seems to be so much to do, so much I haven’t anticipated or prepared for. 

Panicking doesn’t even cover it, actually.

To give you a small glimpse into understanding why I am so freaked out, let me run down my To Do list (granted, you’ll no doubt think some of these things are unimportant or not even necessary, but they are still things on my mind).

1.) Clean baby’s room. 

Take out everything that still sits in there to bring in a heavy vacuum cleaner and dust the ceiling fan.

2.) Get crib. 

Joe’s coworker has a crib we could just have, but until we physically have it ready and in the baby’s room, it’s still going to be weighing on me.

3.) Get changing table. 

We are going to see if we can get one this Saturday at a few consignment shops, but again…until it’s here and ready to go, it’s still something to think about.

4.) Get bassinet. 

Some people swear by them while others tell me they are unnecessary.  We do need a place to put him down to sleep every night but I think I might have a solution in-house that wouldn’t require the use of a laundry basket or dresser drawer.

5.) Get organized. 

Once the furniture is purchased and assembled, I need to get the whole room organized with diapers, wipes, lotions, extra sheets and blankets, clothes, and anything else.  And speaking of clothes…

6.) Wash baby clothes. 

Not all of them, because I have no idea how big he will be at birth or even how long he will be any size.  And I’ll want to return any excess I have.  Yet, I want to make sure he has actual clothes to leave the house in, plus back-ups in case of projectile bodily fluids.

7.) Wash, well, everything.

Bottles, sheets, towels, toys and anything else that baby will physically touch.  And while we’re at it, just clean and sterilize every room in the house.

8.) Decorate baby's room.

I was so jealous as I sat in my last Prepared Childbirth class listening to all the other couples talk about their adorable themed nurseries.  I especially wanted to slap the ones that were “all done and just waiting for the baby now!”  Seriously?  These are the people that would ask for extra credit assignments.  At the end of the school day.  Right before summer vacation.

9.) Install the car seat.

Yep, still need to do that.

10.) Meet with the pediatrician.

Joe has done his part in finding a good pediatrician, but I’d still like to schedule a time to actually meet the man who’s going to be my mental stabilizer when I’m running on 45 minutes of sleep and freaking out that the baby sounds weird when he’s swallowing.

Not to mention…

Pack the hospital bag.  Download song playlists for when I’m in labor (and afterwards).  Pick out the outfit I’ll take the baby home in.  Buy a baby monitor.  Finish up my baby preparedness classes.  Look up freelance writing and other work-from-home jobs.  Prepare and freeze some meals.  Decorate the house for the holidays.  Get a pedicure.  Buy nursing pads, bras, and shirts. 

And a partridge in a freaking pear tree.

So yeah, I’ve got just a few things on my mind.  But here’s where you (yes, you reading this) can help.

Which of these things are important?  Which are not?  Which do you wish you did that you didn’t?  What were your most basic essentials when you first welcomed home that little bundle of love?  Give me some advice (and piece of mind).