The Big To-Do List

While pregnant, I've been trying to tackle a big fat To-Do list. Some of the things are fun ones (like research car seats, pick a name, pick a paint color) and others are not so fun. Almost all of them are over analyzed to death on my part which means I make things more difficult than necessary most of the time. And I'm okay with that:)

One of the monster To-Do items? Figure out childcare. Ugh. Last week, I called the daycare that we are most likely going to use in June when I return to work. I kept putting it off even though I know this is probably going to be our pick just because it seems so final. It's a small place that is not open to the public because it's just for the staff at my hospital and many of my co-workers have their children there at all different ages. The cost is absolutely unbeatable because it's affiliated with the hospital (but don't get me wrong, it's not THAT inexpensive but compared to some places around our house it's much less per day). And the lady on the phone suggests we come in any time for a tour, saying that she highly recommends first time moms to bring the baby into the center during mom's maternity leave to make that first day less stressful. Isn't that a great idea? I like the thought of easing into that major transition and I'm glad I've started to get the ball rolling with daycare decisions, too. After our tour I think I'll feel even better about it but I'm sure I'll still hunt around online for other in-home options out there...just in case we decide to go that route.

Another big To-Do? Decide on my work schedule following maternity leave. Not sure if I mentioned this or not, but I'm pretty sure I will attempt to work four 9 hour days each week when I go back. This will keep my full time status and allow our benefits to cost the exact same as they do now. My boss seemed to think that a 9 hour day would work just fine in our department and as long as she can find someone to cover my day off it shouldn't be a problem. Working 36 hours each week instead of 40 would do two things: 1. Allow me one extra day with baby boy, making me a more sane and happy mom and only paying for 4 days of daycare each week, but 2. I will make less money overall for our family. However, I truly believe that taking a pay cut in the name of my sanity and extra time with my little man is worth more than the dollar sign. We can afford it so why not? It's kind of like the maternity leave decision I had to make, too. I only get 6 weeks paid (at a measly 60% pay, none-the-less....gotta love working in health care!) but am allowed to take 12 with the last 6 being completely unpaid. Now THAT will be a big decrease in our income but again--I truly believe that I need those 3 months with my little man, no matter what the cost. I will never ever get those weeks back with my first born baby. We've worked our rears off to create a decent savings account and if we have to dip into the 'down-payment' fund a bit to allow my maternity leave, then so be it. And yes, this is the self-proclaimed tight wad talking here: I'm okay making less money, taking time off without pay, and dipping into our savings in the name of my baby boy. I guess you could say that priorities shift a bit when a baby comes into the picture (but not THAT much....I'm still going to be a crazy finance-obsessed mommy, but just one who gets a little extra time with her son).

My next tough but important decision on the never-ending list of To-Dos is finding a pediatrician and a family practice doc for Nate and I. I don't even have a primary care doc in Milwaukee, isn't that sad? So I'd love to find one MD to see our whole family and I know a lot of family med docs will do that. I'm thinking this will be another place of heavy research and time spent interviewing potential doctors, too? I'm going to be all, 'What are your opinions on vaccines?' and 'Do you mind having a psycho first-time mommy call you at 3 am with questions?' and 'Can you handle my neuroses?' and the doc will be all 'Chill out, lady.' It will be fabulous, I can just tell:)

I think after all of these heavy decisions are made, I deserve a little fun break from stressful adult things. So I might just dive head first into some fun pregnancy book reading and never look back. Jenny McCarthy's Belly Laughs and Baby Laughs are both on my list, as is the Tori Spelling Mommywood book. Heck, I might even read The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy even though I'm over half-way done. So many books and so little time!