2 Or 3 Children

Aside from what other people have said about babies grow up etc, how about the environmental impact of people having more than 2 kids? So few people seem to consider the type of world they're bringing children to and if having more than 2 is selfish.

You want to be pregnant and have a baby, but it doesn't sound like you want the responsibility of a kid. You want the warm fuzzy feeling pregnancy and a baby bring. Your baby will be a baby for a split second, and then you'll want another baby. I think you might listen to your husband. Perhaps, are you trying to compensate for something, with the happy feelings a baby brings?

If you're not so much of a "kid person", then you should probably dismiss the thought and go with your husband's feelings.

You are missing being pregnant and the process.

So you have to figure out if you just miss that and the feelings of missing it, or if you REALLY want another baby...

You are having "empty nest" feelings.
Because your kids are growing up.

So if you have a #3, and that child grows up, will you then miss being pregnant and the process AGAIN... and then want another baby after that?
It can be endless.

My youngest child is now 4. He is really growing up.
I miss my kids being babies and when they were babies.
But I KNOW, I do not want more kids nor is that a reason to get pregnant again.
I just have to accept that my kids are growing up and yes, you do 'miss' those times. That period of life and of being pregnant.

You know, most people would never "send one back" if they had 3. I have to say that we cannot imagine our life without our #6. ;) I look at my family and just shudder at the thought of us having stopped at 2. We would have missed out on such incredibly great blessings! Oh, I can't even consider what our life would be like without the littles! Our oldest 2 are nearly 19 and 17. Our youngest is 4. :) And, yes, we would take more in a heartbeat! Truly, they are blessings. However, your husband really ought to be on board with the whole thing before you go there. I do not recommend pushing for your way if he isn't keen on it. Husbands have been known to change their minds though. My husband only wanted 2. Now, he longs for more as much as I do. Content with what we have been given, but still praying for more. Oh, and I am not so much a "kid person" either. Weird, I know. I do love my children and my family, but I am not the type to clamor around a bunch a kids. Just thought I'd throw that in there.
One more thing: I have had many older women (much older) stop and tell me that they wished they had had more children. They regret that they only had a couple. They see now, that it is much too late that they based their decisions on temporary things. Children are eternal. Issues like cars, sports, etc. are so not eternal. They are not what we should be basing our decisions upon! My husband didn't want more children at one point because he didn't want to drive a minivan. haha. Joke's on him. We have a 15 pax van! LOL He laughs about it. And, we love our van. ;)

I wanted another one up until my youngest was about 5 yo. (I was too scared though to try again. My son passed away at 17 days old and the pernatologist really thought my 3rd had a genetic defect. My 2 nd two pregnancies were not enjoyable at all) Now my youngest is 8 and I love my life. We go on great vacations, we go to the theatre., we have frequent weekend getaways. We can afford to have our girls in piano and singing lessons and also participate in local theatre. My husband and I also have a fairly active social life. Not saying I would not have wanted another but I am quite content with my life now and I no longer have a desire for another baby.

If you want to have another just for the "baby stage" then DO NOT have another. That is the wrong reason to have a kid. They will eventually growup too and then what will you do?

If you want to be around babies, perhaps you can volunteer at your local hospital. Sometimes they need volunteers to help nurture preemies and sick babies.

Have 3 or 6 won't diminish the reality that the baby stage does not last very long. What happens when the third child is 3 or 4 years old? Do you have another? I think the number of children you have ultimately has to be reliant on factors far more important than missing the shortest stage of parenthood. This is definitely something that you have to talk about with your husband. It shouldn't be a matter of convincing yourself not to think about another child, this will probably only make it worse. Unfortunately, you have to look at it logically, not emotionally. Not an easy thing to do, as very few things involving motherhood are unemotional.

OMG! I just had #3 10 months ago! And I got my BOY!!! So exciting! In retrospect.. I was done physically (and I was 40) when I found out I was pregnant again. But bummer turned into excitement when I found out it was a boy! (not that I wouldn't have with a girl, but you know what I mean. I already had 2 girls). I love the baby stage too and I'm so happy with another baby.. and with a boy baby at that! It's not that much different in terms of the load.. maybe in the car (it's now tighter and more packed) but every day life isn't much different with one more added to the brood. I think once you go beyond 2 it is kind of a bulk deal. ;) My preference: 3 totally!!!! Go for it! I'm 41 now by the way. Baby was perfect and I'm just fine. :)

I agree with Danielle - you will always miss that baby stage when it's "over". My youngest turned three on Saturday and I was again reminded of how much I LOVE the baby stage. I too wonder about a third, but then my practical side kicks in - we are set for the family we have - bedrooms, cars, finances and most importantly my husband is "done". Also I am 40 and I think of that and it's potential implications. If we had unlimited funds and space - sure why not one more, but reality is life is great now. So we are done : ). Having said that I'm sure those with 3 can't imagine life without them. My son (#2) was a suprise, and I feel that way about him...

Now that we have our third daughter, I can not *imagine* my life - or our family - without her. She fills a void I never even knew was empty!

Hubby and I were happy with our 2 girls. They are 20 months apart and everything was getting 'easy'. Then I started wanting another; having that 'baby urge'. I asked my hubby to try for just one month (we'd tried for 18 months to conceive our first, so we didn't really think it would happen!). Loe and behold, here she came :)

Some days it's tough juggling the needs and demands of 3 kids 4 and under but I never, not even for a second, wish we'd stopped at 2.

I've got 3. 18, 16, 14. Two boys, then a girl.
I'd give anything to have another baby sleeping on my chest again.
:(

(Well ALMOST anything.)