why you are an only child, my son

Because after nearly a month of trying to figure out what to do about this one-more-baby problem, we found ourselves on a Sunday afternoon in downtown Brooklyn. We went to the Transit Museum and you were a little grumpy, so we left to get ice cream and then walked around, waiting for you to fall asleep in the stroller. You did, and we took the opportunity to go to Barnes & Noble and grab a pile of magazines and sit in the cafe and drink coffee. This is one of our favorite things to do, as we don't often get a chance to be out in the world together without monitoring you. It felt like a date. And the magazines we grabbed were... these. The ones up there in the Travel section. That "Afar" one was particularly good. We read a pile of them, and we oohed and aahed and shared amazing photos of exciting and far away places. And we made plans. And we dreamed dreams. And we knew for certain in our hearts that we were ready to move on into another phase of life, one where you are an awesome, growing kid who wants to see the world with us. And we knew we didn't have the patience to wait another half decade for another kid to grow up to do this with us. And we knew we certainly, certainly, certainly didn't have the money to travel with more kids (since we don't truly have it for travel for three!). And we felt solid in our decision, both of us, at the same time, for the first time in a long time. And I'm sorry. I know that there are moments when you wish for a younger sibling. A theoretical younger sibling, I'm quick to point out in my head, since there are a lot of things about babies that I don't think you'd appreciate so much right now. And I'm confident that your father and I can smother you in enough love to make it up to you. And besides, we are both quasi-only children and we ended up liking it that way. Hopefully you will, too. If not, you can take it up with the Barnes & Noble Travel section.

Comments

[southwesterngemini]

So impressed (jealous, too) that you've made your decision. Congrats!

[Suzy]

Have spent the last 20 years living that very decision for that very reason and nary a regret, she commented from poolside, in Bali......

[lyn]

Aspirations for long-distance family bike trips sooner than later were definitely part of our decision to be done.

[Julie]

Glad for you, and I think that Beck will do just fine on his own. Kids without a younger sibling complain about it, kids with a younger sibling complain about it... let's face it- parents can't win!

Though I don't anticipate doing much international travel with 3 kids, we do have an Italy fund that been steadily adding up. So when we are all ready, let's all go back to Pescia! xoxo