The Baby List and the Plan of Attack

Having already professed myself as an over organizer, I feel comfortable sharing "The Baby List."  First, let me say that there are baby lists, checklist, and such all over the internet.  In fact, mine is a little derivative from a couple that I found.  And it is also fused with my own experience, needs, desires, and my method of baby rendering.  I hope that my list may prove to be of some help as you explore your own "List".

I am due in the middle of May 2012.  I was going to the bathroom in December of 2011 (yes, sometimes the only place I can hear my own thoughts or reflect on anything in silence).  While there, I was praying/thinking.  It really came over me so strong. "Do not wait until the last minute."  My mind started racing.  "God, is my baby going to come early?  Why do I need to have everything done early?"  Ok, in fairness, my husband and I know we are procrastinators.  Anyone relate?  After praying for a while, I got nothing else.  All I know is that I was supposed to prepare early.  So, I decided I would do it.

I made my plan of attack.  I would make a list of all the things I needed to buy and do.  I would divide it up into 4 to give myself a month to make a portion of the purchases and get a portion of the things done.  It would divide the work and the money from all the purchases as to not over tax us at any one time.  Side note: we got rid of all of our baby stuff.  We pretty much needed everything.  Well, not exactly everything, but LOTS of stuff.

Here is a look at the progress that I have made over the past two months (ok, actually almost 3 months since I am almost done with the purchase part of my March list):

I didn't try to knock out a single category at a time.  I tried to divide up some of the big stuff so it wouldn't be so pricey in a single month.  I did research and went shopping.  As I found things I thought I wanted from my list, I would purchase it.  I did an attic sweep to find any and all things that we still had from our previous two kids (some usable - some not).  If I reclaimed something from the attic, I took the time to clean it up, repair it, or get it back to 100% operational.  I made it a goal to have 20 things purchased or "reclaimed for use" each month.

Now that I have talked about getting myself prepared, you probably want to see the big list.  Here is a straight copy and paste of my list:

Nursery Furniture 

Crib

Crib Mattress

Chest of Drawers

Changing Table

Rocking Chair

Bedding

Crib Skirt

3 Water Proof Mattress Pads

3 Water Proof Pads

3 Crib Sheets

5-7 Receiving Blankets

Nursery Decor

Mobile

Changing Pad

3 Changing Pad Covers

Trash Can

Storage Bins, etc.

Curtains

Wall Paint

Laundry Basket

Diapering - read the specifics here

Diapers

Wipes

Wipe Warmer

Large Diaper Bag

Small Diaper Bag

Changing Mat for both diaper bags

Hand Sanitizer

Safety

Monitor

Car Seats

Infant Car Seat

Convertible Car Seat

Car Seat Under mat

Toys

Strollers

Single Main Stroller

Entertainers

Swing

Activity Jumper

Bouncer

Baby Gym

Rattles

Play Yard

Play Yard

Play Yard Sheet

High Chair

High Chair

Booster Seat

Clothing

5-7 Sleepers

10 Onesies

Socks

3 Hats

Nursing and Feeding

Breast Pump

New Pump Lines

Pump Accessories

Breast Pads

Milk Storage Bottles

Breastfeeding Shaw

8 Nursing Bras

6 Bibs

12 Burp Cloths

6 Small Bottles

6 Large Bottles

Slow Flow Nipples

Fast Flow Nipples

Bottle Warmer

Bottle Drying Rack

Bottle Brush

Dishwasher Caddy

4 Pacifiers (2 of 4)

Baby Care and Grooming

Teethers

Nail Clippers

Brush and Comb

Thermometer

Bath

Bath Tub

Bath Sponge or Wash Cloths

3 Hooded Bath Towels

Toiletries

Body Wash/Shampoo

Alcohol

Cotton Balls

Infant Tooth Brush

Other

Clock

Lamp

Nightlight

Sanitary Pads

I am going to spend few posts diving into the list and showing you what I chose and why.  Giving you some thoughts and insights into my decisions.  Hopefully, you can take some of what I have done to incorporate it into your own thoughts, decisions, and needs.