Another???

So I guess it's that time now, huh? People are delighted with their babies, and are deciding to have The Second. In the past month, 4 women I know have delightedly announced their second pregnancies, and another has announced her third. I'm excited for them of course, but as for myself, I just can't imagine having another baby right now (heck, I can't imagine having another baby in the next 2 years! People sure do love to ask though, don't they? A month after Henry was born, people started asking me about having The Second). I'm flat-out exhausted keeping up with one climbing little monkey, keeping the pets' tails out of his mouth, and trying to encourage him to talk already (to say nothing of my housewifely duties of laundry, dishes, and the like). I don't know how people do it. 

Last night Elvis and I - just in casual conversation - talked about parenting and our feelings about going through it again.  I was genuinely surprised to hear that he would like to have a daughter one day. The whole time I've known him, he's wanted a son.  At my 20-week ultrasound, when we found out we were having a Henry instead of a Heidi, (after I made an Anne Boleyn joke that made the U/S tech uncomfortable) he assured me that one healthy son was all he wanted from my uterus. I took him at his word, and the three of us have been a loving, happy family since.  

As for myself, I don't really know what I want. I'm so torn on the idea of another child. I guess there are pros and cons, huh? Ooh, let's make a list!

PROS:

1.  Henry would have a sibling.  I would kind of like for him to have a brother or sister (in theory, anyway). My brother and I were always close, and I would love for my son to know that special bond as well. Also, Elvis is the only only-child I've ever met who wasn't completely self-absorbed and weird. 

2.  Pregnancy. Mine was the happiest time of my life. I loved watching my body change and adapt to nourish the new life within. Truly miraculous. 

3. The relationship between Elvis and me grew so much deeper and more profound. I recently read a quote that I wish I could remember. I can't though, so to paraphrase it said something like this: we loved one another so fiercely that magic happened.  The love we already shared has grown and intensified through this amazing experience, and I know that another baby would have the same effect. 

4. A baby! Who doesn't love a sweet new baby? The weight of them sleeping in your arms, their delicious baby smell, their round little bellies, their toothless smiles, their sweet little fingers and toes ... Sigh. Magic. 

5. Baby clothes. This one gets a category to itself. I freaking love baby clothes. So much the better if we're talking about baby girl clothes. Squeeee!!!

CONS:

1. Birth. I know, I know. But hey, I did it once and now I know what to expect. Scary. 

2. Financial fears. Pregnancy and childbirth were expensive, but then there are costs like feeding a kid (we spend almost as much money on milk now as we used to spend on cable), finding a bigger place to live, furnishing another nursery, etc. 

3. Exhaustion. I've got enough on my plate without a brand new baby. 

4. Superstitions. I had a wonderful pregnancy that resulted in a pretty spectacular child, and our family is so happy. I guess it's silly, but I fear things wouldn't go so smoothly the second time around. 

So I guess our conversation didn't really go anywhere. I certainly don't even want to think about The Second for another year or two. I'm just content with what I have: my smart, funny, kind, handsome hubby and our glorious son, who is so much like his Poppa.