With a face like this, who wouldn't want more?
I’m sooo baby hungry right now.
But let me clarify, I was sooo baby hungry when I was 12 and daydreaming of odd scenarios where a baby would land on my doorstep, and I would raise it as my own.
I was sooo baby hungry about two days after birthing Miss Dub.
I was sooo baby hungry last month.
The fact is, I’ve got a big baby appetite, but is my stomach big enough for them all?
Family planning – it’s a HOT TOPIC because there are lots and lots of opinions on this matter.
Most Mormons, me included, don’t really believe in family planning to the extent that inspiration trumps all plans. If a feeling overtakes you to bring another child into your home, you do it even if you planned to wait. And if a feeling tells you to wait a while, you do it even if you planned to try for another.
But sometimes – let’s be honest, most times – there are no burning feelings. Over time, it just feels right to give it another go. Or your aversion to burgeoning bumps and cankles begins to ease. Your fear of two sets of diapers, two carseats and two cranky babies begins to lessen.
It still seems crazy, but not insane.
And when I really, really think long and hard about having another one right now – which would put them a whoppin’ 18 months apart – it still seems a little insane. So we’re waiting.
If I was really into family planning, I would take into consideration the following: We only have two bedrooms. Miss Dub is still a terrible sleeper. I just lost all this weight and would gain some of it back. I just bought a new wardrobe and would have to shelve it in favor of elastic-banded pants. I’m easily stressed and babies are stressful. I get zits when I’m first pregnant - and I hate zits.
But really those things don’t matter.
What does matter, however, is my sanity. And I think that is a huge factor when planning a family, and when receiving inspiration. I don’t think we’re ever asked to do something that is bad for us. I don’t think we’re ever asked to do something we can’t handle. I do think we’re pushed and tested at times, but I don’t think you need three kids under the age of 3 to feel stretched as a mother.
So people who don’t believe in any planning/prevention boggle my mind. Maybe they’re just constantly prepared for another mouth to feed, another derriere to diaper, another year without sleep, another college education to pay. Or maybe some of them think they’ll get extra credit celestial points for being open for baby bizness all the time, which may be true but may also be haughty depending on the situation.
So how did you “plan” your family? And did all go according to schedule?
And, inspiration aside, what do you think is the ideal spacing between children?
What are the pros and cons of having kids close together or farther apart?
And did you know that I have a “sister” who is due any moment with her fifth child? And that she’s planned them for the most part? And that she’s still totally sane and in control of the chaos?
Yeah, she’s my hero.
Maybe I should have another one …
