I think you have a solid plan. I do encourage to take python courses to understand more the syntax and be able to write good code. But you would never be “ready” python is a journey so there is always stuff to learn. My advise it to take Andrew’s course and try to apply the labs that does teach you how to implement things, although is true that has a lot of theory this is something that will pay-off in the long run, but also covers a fair amount of implementation with real-world datasets.
My advice would be practice python and take the MLS, it doesn’t matter if you need to spent more time to complete a lab or to understand videos. Go to your own pace. The first time I took the old version of this course I wasn’t prepare either but it help me to see what skills do I need before taking it.
Hope this helps