The second William was born, I knew I wanted another baby.
The second Alexander was born, I knew I wanted another baby.
The second Benjamin was born, I knew I wanted another baby.
And the second Henry was born, I did… I knew I wanted to have another baby.
The only difference between then and now… 3 years have passed by. This is brand new territory for me. When William was about to turn 3 years old, I had 2 little babies and was about to find out that I was pregnant with Henry. I had never done the spacing out thing. With Henry almost being 3 years old, I’m beginning to see something about my life that I haven’t seen in over 6 years… it’s getting easier. That light that everyone used to talk about at the end of the tunnel, yeah… we’re getting closer and closer.
We’re down to a lightweight stroller.
We don’t need a diaper bag.
We don’t have bottles anymore.
We don’t need baby food.
We can go out to dinner and order off the menu.. It’s like a whole new world.
But I still have that yearning to go for a 5th…
I know that if I use “time” as an excuse… there never will actually be a good time. I’m traveling for work all the time. I’m busy-as-a-bee with my 4 little men at home and with my regular work.
And (at this point in my life, the ballsy-ness of my 30s) I’m beyond caring what people think about us having a 5th… it all comes down to 2 people deciding if we want another one – me and my husband. We know our lives. We know our schedules. We know our routines. We know how much money we make. We know the behind-the-scene answers. I remember right before I got pregnant with Henry (the biggest and best surprise of my life) everyone (I mean, EVERYONE) gave us their opinion whether or not we should go for a 4th. The best thing that ever happened was that it just happened, it didn’t leave me with room to think about it (like now).
So back to my original question… what time is the best time?
Oh, mama mia… there’s no magic answer. It’s just about knowing and feeling when the time is right to go for it.
Right Matt? 😉
I hope in 10 years… I look back and know, yes… we made the right decision, regardless of what we decide to do.
Well luv, you know my story… there clearly is no perfect time and even if there was, sometimes the universe has its own plans!
I would, of course, be over the moon for you and Matt if you had a 5th. And that baby would be so, so loved. xoxoxo Christine
For me when I would look at pictures before my fourth and final was born, I always knew someone was missing.. Mine are all girls and all three years apart. Not really a plan but it worked out really well as they all loved each other but none of that competition stuff ever. I loved having a single sex family. I love babies and had those urges. It was not until my youngest was 5 and in school that they ended for me…the light was so bright!!!! I was from a family of five and never felt like I got enough..but that is what is so great about parenting..we can do it better for our own. I liked even numbers..we all fit into the rides at Disneyland ..no one was left over…so if I had had five I would have probably wanted to go for six. My girls are amazing. My youngest is now 19 finishing her second year at Penn. She grew up with her sisters always looking out for her..but because I had watched a similar all girl family at church baby their youngest I would not allow that with mine. (some times bad examples are the best teachers!) She is amazing. All went far away to great and all different colleges. You know how expensive that can be. It was doable with our spacing, barely. You seem to have an amazing family. I love the three year span. Especially..if you add two more! Good luck to you and your beautiful family. I never felt bad having so many…I had GOOD kids..the world needs more of them.