The to do list

And boy, is it a monster. Maybe if I post it here I'll be more inspired to actually do these things. Some of them are really long-term, but need to be done eventually.

Work:
write lesson plans for sub
get copies of everything for sub
get an overhead projector for sub
have student computer converted to teacher computer for sub
bring home as much stuff as possible
give away as much stuff as possible
finish arranging field trip
conduct delayed post test for thesis
fill out required leave of absence paperwork
find out about insurance and possible resignation date, last date of work
get technology equipment ready to turn in and all in one place - find out where/when to turn it in
find a new home for the laptops

Pregnancy/childbirth:
hire a doula
read more books
take childbirth class
take breastfeeding class
pack a hospital bag
scrapbook

Babby's room:
remove exercise equipment
clean out closet
re-hang closet door
install new screws in the crib
disable the drop-side of the crib?
decorate the walls
wash clothes
wash diapers
wash and put on bedding
install curtain rod
install new blinds
cover circular window in fabric
buy and hang curtains for closet
organize clothes, diapers
get baskets for diaper stuff
get a hamper or laundry basket for laundry
get shelves for toys and books
assemble cradle
get a trash can and wet bags for diaper pail, wet bags for travel
get a diaper sprayer
find some way of keeping the cat out while keeping the door open


House stuff
lower water heater temp to 120 degrees
find, wash, and hang curtain (needs new curtain rod)
tighten curtain installations in living room
replace lightbulbs in living room, bathroom
declutter (garage sale? - probably not)
wash windows
give everything a good scrub

Major house stuff:
repair sprinkler system
new roof
new gutters
new grass
basic yard clean-up
open pool
schedule pool chemical service
new shower door
new baseboards in bathrooms
de-wallpaper and paint bathrooms
paint exterior
refinish garage door
see to the plumbing in the guest bathroom
new deck or remove and replace with grass
new door for upstairs bathroom

Miscellaneous
TNR the orange feral cat (I haven't seen him in over a week. Maybe we are lucky and he's gone this time.)
Write a thesis
Do the taxes

Did you know that you need baby stuff if you are going to have a baby?

It hadn't really dawned on me until recently how much stuff you need when you are going to have a baby. I mean, I guess we could make due with just a safe place to sleep, some diapers, and some clothes, but it would be really nice to have things to entertain the baby with as well as some of the baby-care items designed to make life a little easier with a child around the house. Yesterday my pal Amanda took me to Babies R Us and Target so we could both fill in gaps in our registries. Her motherly wisdom and experience were invaluable to me. I did not know that a bottle warmer would be useful, "disposable" plates and cups are great when washed and reused, and that if I'm going to get(TMI alert!) this I will probably want this, assuming Babby is OK with these. I didn't know how to attach toys to carriers and strollers, I didn't know to be mindful of the height of a stroller I'm considering, and I didn't know that baby medicines came with baby medicine droppers. It was an exhausting, informative, and productive experience. Thanks, Amanda!

Babby's name

She started out as Muffin Muffin Star (the pictures, not the words), and has also been affectionately called Blueberry, Bananas (Get it? Bananas Foster? Ha ha.), and some other things. We have more recently been calling her Babby, but in approximately 10 weeks we will be faced with the monumental task of giving her a real name - one that will fit her and serve her well, that she won't hate, and that everyone around her can pronounce and spell without too much trouble. We might have a middle name picked out (I think it's down to two), but here are some of the first names on the list, which fluctuates daily, rising and ebbing like, well, the tide.

Jenna
Julia*
Elise
Wendy
Kaylee
Katherine, Kathryn
Keira
Rachel*
Margaret
Leah
Samantha*

*current favorites

We won't have a final determination until we get to see her in person, but narrowing it down a bit wouldn't hurt. Here is a link if you care to vote: http://www.babynames.com/namelist/9638747 . Write-in votes, especially hilarious ones, are requested in the comments section of this blog.