How to Enjoy Your Last Weeks of Pregnancy: The Waiting on Baby Bucket List

Let’s rewind to early 2019, before I had my first babe (and later became a doula). I used to be a big fan of schedules and routines. I liked being in control. I liked a full, organized calendar and prioritized to-do lists. I hated surprises and flying by the seat of my pants. Note, motherhood and doula life don’t quite lend themselves to these types of preferences, hence the use of past tense. 😛

I’m sure it comes as no shock to anyone that I was a giant ball of stress while awaiting the arrival of my first baby. I didn’t need him to make his debut on a certain day or at a certain time, necessarily; I just needed to know, for my sanity, when the day would come so I could plan my life accordingly. Was that so much to ask?!

Unfortunately, that’s just not how natural labor onset goes. A friend of mine had given me the sage advice to plan something enjoyable for the days leading up to my due date. That way, if my baby was still cookin’, I’d have something fun to look forward to, but if I had to cancel my plans, then EVEN BETTER! Baby was on his way!

In addition to being a big fan of schedules and planning and other Type A vices, I am also a big fan of bribery, so I decided to take this wise friend’s advice one step further. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Waiting on Baby Bucket List.

The How-To

First, I brainstormed a list of small treats and rewards to show myself a little self-care while waiting out those grueling last few weeks of pregnancy. Then, I ranked these rewards in order of self-determined value and assigned them milestone dates such as 38 weeks, 38 weeks + 4 days, 39 weeks, and so on. Disclaimer: there was definitely some skewing here- some rewards were truly just bonuses, while others needed to happen before baby’s arrival, like a good, long pedicure. So of course, that one wasn’t waiting until the 40-week mark.

Now this was my first child I was anxiously awaiting, so I then sketched out an adorable little timeline in my bullet journal (as seen above), complete with various baby item doodles and my rewards matched up to their appropriate dates. Oh, the things you have time for when you don’t yet have children!

While none of my chosen rewards were extravagant or earth-shattering, this simple little advent calendar immediately shifted my mindset from, “Ugh, 39 weeks and STILL no baby?!” to “Yay, 39 weeks, time for a pedi!” Plus, any additional excuse to treat my large, achy, baby-making body to some joy in the home stretch was greatly appreciated (and well-deserved, I might add).

Bucket List Ideas + Inspiration

Here are a few ideas of rewards that fellow mamas and I have used if you’re needing a little inspiration for your Waiting on Baby Advent Calendar:

• book a manicure/pedicure
• grab coffee with a friend
• purchase a new, fun item of clothing for you to wear postpartum
• purchase something stretchy and cozy for you to wear postpartum (a must, IMO)
• order that super-cute baby outfit you’ve been eyeing
• schedule a date night
• stock up on mindless magazines for those late-night feedings
• book a prenatal massage
• order your favorite takeout meal
• drive through Starbucks on your way to work for a fancy decaf drink

Waiting on Baby #2+? Try a Big Brother/Big Sister Bucket List!

Now, as I am awaiting the arrival of baby #2, things are a little bit different. I still have the same over-being-pregnant feelings. I want my pre-pregnancy wardrobe back and am just tired of being tired and stiff! However, I’m not exactly sitting around twiddling my thumbs, wondering when this babe will join us earth-side. As much as I wish there were thumb-twiddling, my current day-to-day looks more like me waddling around after a rambunctious toddler as he climbs on every piece of furniture and insists on eating and drinking out of the dog’s bowls. Needless to say, the waiting game piece just doesn’t feel quite the same.

So, this time around I’ve decided to make my Waiting on Baby plans more about soaking up time with my little man while he’s still the only child, rather than spoiling myself with treats. This is not only helping those slooooooow final weeks of pregnancy pass more quickly because I’ve got plans on my calendar. It’s also helping me feel great about the fact that I’m spending lots of quality time with my boy before he has to share the spotlight. Being intentional about our time together has allowed me to celebrate our relationship and prepare to welcome his baby brother into the family, without those nagging feelings of guilt that many moms understandably feel.

Instead, I feel positive that we’ve bonded more than ever and that he’s ready to give just as much love to his new sibling, whenever that day comes. I’m also trying to relish in each additional day of “just us”; each day of semi-predictable routine, reliable sleep schedules, and generally coasting through mom life (as much as one can coast with a rowdy 20-month-old boy) is more than welcome before baby comes and shakes things up.

Big Brother/Sister Bucket List Ideas + Inspiration

You know your schedule, your budget, your child(ren), and most importantly, your energy level (ahem, low) better than anyone. But just in case you’d like a head start, here are some ideas you might include on your Big Brother/Big Sister Bucket List:

• plan a trip to the zoo/aquarium/etc.
• visit the local library
• try out a new (or a tried & true favorite) local park
• plan a mommy & me lunch date
• go shopping and let your little one pick out a gift for baby
• book mommy & me manicures
• treat yourselves to ice cream before dinner (or for dinner, who are we kidding? #pregnancy)
• bake or cook a favorite recipe together
• have a selfie photo shoot, complete with ridiculous filters
• color pictures to hang around the house and welcome baby home

Of course, I encourage you to create your Waiting on Baby Bucket List to suit you and your needs! Need an excuse to schedule last-minute date nights? DO IT. Feel like you deserve a reward or outing every. single. day? OF COURSE YOU DO! Pregnancy is no joke, mama, and you need to take care of you so you can soon take care of your babe, whether they be your first or your tenth! Hang in there, stay positive, and soak up the final days before your newest baby boss rocks your world. You’ve got this!