The Sequel

Question: When do you and Ryan plan to begin trying for another child?

Answer: Never. Kidding (well, sorta).

This is one of those questions in the on going series of questions you face in your early-adult years. First you begin dating and you get the "when are you going to propose" question. Then "when's the date". Then as if tying the knot wasn't good enough it's things like "when are you going to have kids!". Then finally "when are you going to have another".

For us, this is one of those things that continues to change over time. For quite some time, Ryan and I were dead set on adopting. Then we were having our own but waiting until we had a chance to do more traveling. Then we switched gears again and along came Jude just under a year after our wedding.

If you had asked me before when I planned to have a second child I would have said I planned to start trying around Jude's first birthday - maybe JUST before. That would have put our children at a good distance apart and if it were another boy we'd be able to use some of his clothes over again (lame reason, I know, but it's something I've considered). However, as I'm getting further into Jude's first year, I just don't see it happening.

I'm enjoying my time with Jude and would like to continue focusing on him and getting our house together a little more (remodeling, etc). In addition, my brother Bryan's getting married next October and I really have no desire to be a pregnant bridesmaid. AND we have plans of a pretty big vacation around October also, so I don't want to be pregnant on vacation. The past two we had, I was and I just don't think I enjoyed them 100% as a result.

You may say 'then start trying now' - that would get the little guy/gal here before the wedding. However, one of the biggest deciding factors for me is my body. My poor, poor body. As selfish as it might sound, it really wants a chance to "be itself" again. Since I plan to breastfeed Jude until roughly a year (we'll see how it goes, it's all a "day by day" thing for me - could be longer, could be shorter), once I'm done breastfeeding I will love to just have a little "me" time. I'd love to be able to have a drink or two without worrying "well, what if Jude wakes up", etc. I'd love to be able to hav ea glass of wine with dinner without thinking 'well, when was the last time Jude ate... will I have to feed him again soon?". I'd love to be on a "schedule" again and for my hair to regrow (yes, it's still falling out). I'd love to tone up my flabby parts that didn't used to be flabby. ETC.

So, currently, I think we're focusing on around the time Jude's two or maybe a little later... if at all. Of course, this could change and I could get on here tomorrow and tell everyone that I have the baby fever again, but I just don't see it happening...

Unfortunately if we have another child they will be much further apart than ever expected, but I'm fine with that.