The Itch I Can't Scratch

No, not that kind of itch. I'm talking about the baby itch. Well, sort of. It seems like everyone around me is pregnant. Seriously, I'm afraid to drink the water!

Which reminds me, I am rather thirsty. Hold on. I'm gonna go get some Pepsi!

Ok, where was I? Oh, right. The baby itch. I love babies. Love, love, love them! I also really enjoyed being pregnant. Ok, I guess I could have done without my feet getting huge and the heartburn, but really, both times around weren't bad at all.

The husband and I have discussed this matter and he demanded we agreed that 2 is plenty for us. Actually if Little Dude was born first, there's a very good chance he would have been an only child!

Ok, I'm kidding about that. Maybe...

Two kids seems to work out just fine for us. One of each sex and one per parent when the going gets rough. But sometimes my mind wanders. It wanders to the place of what if we had another baby. What would life be like? But at the same time, do I really want to go back to the diaper days? And the formula, messy baby food, etc. Plus, both of our kids were great babies, with a minor exception here and there. A third might really throw us for a loop and be the baby who never sleeps, never eats, and always wants held.

I think part of the reason my mind wanders if because I am a woman. By nature's laws, it is my job to birth babies. When a woman can't or won't have a baby, it can really play tricks on the mind. I think the other big reason is empty nest syndrome. I was talking to a fellow soccer mom at Little Dude's practice and she really hit the nail on the head. Our kids are all the same age, which means her youngest will also be starting Kindergarten in the fall. She said the reason she had the baby itch was because in a few months there will no longer be a little person in the house to take care of for a good chunk of the day. When she explained this to me, a light went on in my head.

I am really excited for Little Dude to go to school. He is definitely ready. He would start tomorrow if he could! Him going to school will also give me a break to do things for myself for once. Or maybe I could put more energy into blogging tweeting housework. I could take my computer to the coffee shop and enjoy some me time and some really awesome coffee. I could take a nap. I could watch tv during the day and none of it has to be animated!

But I will look pretty silly if I start building with Legos. Or I start digging in the dirt because the construction site wasn't quite finished. I may lose some flexibility because I won't have to navigate through strewn about castle pieces and army men. They really hurt your feet if you're like me and don't' wear shoes unless you have to.

Maybe this is why people keep having kids. But for me, for us, I think we'll stick with 2. I can always babysit for my expecting friends. For now I think I will just take these next few months and scream and curse enjoy the messes and cartoons. Just not Yo Gabba Gabba. It really does have lessons in it, but that doesn't mean I think it's any less bizarre!



Until next time....

17 comments:

Ian said...

Yeah I can't agree more. I would love to get pregnant but the more I try it just doesn't work.

Lorie said...

It is so hard to know sometimes if you are done or not! We have three. We always talked about four. I am happy with three.

I don't feel DONE, but I don't feel baby hungry.

*sigh*

Jane In The Jungle said...

Been there...but baby number 4 cured that itch, LOL!

visiting from SITS

Genevieve Richer said...

Hi! I'm Genevieve! Found you on SITS and so glad I did! What an awesome blog you've create! You're such a Superchick! Now a follower! ;-)

Oka said...

Okay, I'm the crazy one with four. After two, I knew I wanted a third. With my third, I asked for a tubal if I had another c-section. My insurance only covered catholic hospitals so that wasn't an option.

After our third, I thought we were done, but never had a strong feeling one way or another. When we accidentally got pregnant with number 4, I had a mess of emotions. I really hadn't prepared myself this time.

I can honestly say, Bubby would of been birth control no matter what order he came in. It's not just Bubby though. It's...
1) I have been babysitting my nephew since he was 6 weeks old (16 months younger than my Bubby) and I can barely stand it. The whining and crying is no longer cute.
2)I don't go crazy any more when I see others with Babies
3)I don't get as excited as I should when others get pregnant.

I'm just not at that place anymore, and I'm not sure I will ever land back there.

I am also looking forward to my Bubby going to school. Something tells me I won't be shedding a tear. Does this make me an awful mom?

One Photo said...

Well I came to Mommyland late in life at 43, and had a hard time adjusting to my new life but I would still love to have another child and would do so now but sadly it is not going to happen at my age. But I wonder, no matter how old you are or how many children you have, does that longing in part for a little one to be around ever really go away once you have experienced the joys (and not so joyful moments) of having one around?

Shell said...

LOL @ Gabba Gabba- I just try not to look at the tv while it's on.

I still think about babies, even though dh has been snipped and three is enough. It's still hard to think about never having another little one.

My youngest turns 2 at the end of the month and acting like such a big boy. :(

Kmama said...

You make some really good points. I still struggle with our decision to stop at 2. It's a money thing though, and if money weren't an issue, the hubs says we'd probably have 4! LOL

Kristin said...

I'd love one more baby...and this is despite the fact that my third child is a wild one.

Danielle said...

I know what you mean! This time last year I was in the last stretch of my second pregnancy. Now we have a 2 and a half year old, and a little guy 2 weeks away from his first birthday and I have the itch. Itch itch itch! Even though just like your second, our second is a total PITA! He totally would have been an only child if he came first!

I still ache for a little girl, and even though I know there are no guarantees when it comes to the sex of a baby, I am willing to go at it again...

Stoppin' by from SITS!

Lisa said...

I've been wanting a baby for a while now..I'm hoping when Drex gets here in July that want will go away.

Anonymous said...

I think I could have written your post today!

My 2nd is the main reason why we are stopping at 2. I just can't imagine having another like him... love him to no end but UGH!

I get my baby fix 3 days a week when I watch my sisters little 6 mo old when she works - best of both world... baby time and sleep at night!

Jennifer and Don said...

The other night I was watching The Real Housewives of NJ and I got the baby itch. I already have four and my tubes are tied, so there is no going back.When I had my third, I reasoned "Well I already have two, how much trouble can one more be?"

A lot!! Love my kids but they are a handful...just wait till the teen years come.

Anonymous said...

I remember having the same itch for a third child. I swear we'd have 3 boys if we did go for it. :0)

Cyndy Bush said...

I love the baby through 2 year old stages. I could have 100 babies and I'd still want more only to experience that age spread again! So I stopped at three (then later gained a stepson) and have no regrets.

BusyMom said...

Stopping by from SITS....

I am one of those crazy people with 6 kids... my oldest will soon be 30 and my youngest is 11 1/2 (he is very proud of that half!)
I now have a grandbaby which is wonderful... no night time feedings, no whining baby to cart around on errands... and all the love and cuddles and baby slobbery kisses I want!
I don't miss babies of my own... but I love being around other people's babies!

Missy said...

I get that itch A LOT. It has been especially running rampant since my 3rd baby is getting close to 1yr old and not a "baby" anymore.

I don't know if it's possible, but could you volunteer at the hospital to hold babies or something?

Stopping in from SITS.