With a quick snip and a bag of frozen peas, we have eliminated the possibility of having more children.
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Though I’m sure my husband would not want me to state said event so simply (there certainly was a bit of tender recovery involved), but we made the not-so-difficult decision to leave our family as is and go through with a vasectomy.
We have two young, healthy beautiful little boys that we cherish. But quite honestly at 39, I’m not getting any younger and my body has had enough.
We have only had two kids, but I don’t want to state those said events so simply either.
I am 5’2, and 140 pounds. My husband is a strong, sturdy 6’3. Our first baby was 10 lbs 10 oz, and our second was 9 lbs, 6 oz.
Though my pregnancies were easy health-wise, they took their physical toll and it was not easy to carry them. I nursed my first until I went back to work, and I nursed my second full-time after I left my job.
I don’t want to sound selfish, but I am ready to get my life back. And my husband is too.
Our sons are forever a part of our lives, and we are pouring everything we have into raising them into two polite, respectful, fun-loving young men. But we don’t want more kids. We love our family just as it is.
The boys are now 7 and 2. We have a lot of time ahead to be together, and will always be here to guide them, but we are also really ready for the next stage. And I am also ready to start rediscovering me and my husband again.
I think a lot of parents wonder what they ever did with all of that extra time before having kids, and we are no exception.
I can’t wait until the boys bring all of their friends over to eat me out of house and home after school. I can’t wait to go to football games, school plays, science fairs, or art shows (whatever they choose to do.)
I can’t wait to teach them how to drive (look out!) and give them girl advice, and take them shopping for huge tennis shoes while they stand taller than me, and all of the other fun and not so fun stuff that will come along.
So our times of raising kids are certainly not over, we’re just ready to let go of the brand new baby times.
We are unable to get a “baby substitute” of the dog or cat variety because of pet allergies, but I can always volunteer in my church’s nursery or offer to babysit if I get a hankering to hold a sweet baby.
I just went to the store and picked up a little baby girl outfit for a baby shower. I admit, it tugged at my heart strings.
And I still gush every time I see a brand new baby when I’m out and about. They really are a beautiful blessing. I also had a great time picking out pink stuff because I don’t get to shop for girls much.
But none of that stuff is for me anymore, I’m moving on. I do, however, think I’m going to be an excellent grandma!
And besides, with the gift of today’s technology, if we really feel an insatiable calling to have another one, the procedure is reversible. Though that may require a lot more frozen peas!
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Photo: Mollenborg/Flickr
“I also had a great time picking out pink stuff because I don’t get to shop for girls much.” There is no reason why you can’t buy pink clothes for your sons! There is no need to be afraid of pink- pssst! It’s just a color. Anyway, wish you and your family happiness.
I find it frankly bizarre that we live in a world that would even remotely require you to justify your desire to not have more children.