The big call – having our little one

Coming 17 months after the fact to talk about what went on before making that call and how it has been since…

As a child we all have plans for our life but as we grow, we realize in lot of cases life has its own plans – in a good way. I always knew I wanted two kids - I then did not know much about the family dynamics with both parents going out to work. “When” – the right time for it was the BIG decision for us. I grew up in a family with traditional set up – Dad went out to work and Mom stayed home managing household. My mom was actively pursuing lot of her interest but she was home with us whenever we looked for her. The case was different-very different with us and many in our generation. Having the first child itself takes long and well thought out planning; rarely the idea of having another comes to mind.

When our first born bundle of joy was growing bigger than a bundle, we discussed often when the next little one’s happening. But it always felt she was still little and we were not ready to divide out attention between her and a new born sibling. I have to admit (more so now when I look at my 2nd one) that my girl was ahead of her age – a girl thing I would say. At 2.5 she seemed so ready for her sibling – she had lot of her friends talking about their siblings that the idea excited her and she was prepared to be the responsible BIG sister, not so much us may be :). We talked to her in different ways multiple times and her answer was nothing but positive rather eager.

While with work and a toddler I was not confident about doing justice with the decision of having another one, I knew I did not want them to be too apart. I had a brother 18 months older than me – and I have the fondest memory of growing up with him. I wanted my kids to make such memories growing up so the time to put planning into action was approaching fast. Other factor was we as parents were growing old – my energy and patience levels were less than what it was at 25, I wanted to enjoy parenting while I still had some part of the child in me active.

There’s probably more to it than this but yes right when The BIG sister turned 3 we knew all three of us are so ready for the new member in the family. 9 months from then, we were at the same hospital, different room - living the moment that turned us from a happy family of 3 to a very happy family of 4.

Life has been different ever since but the sight of my two growing up together and building some ever lasting memories, tricking us parents as a team now – it is all fun. Sometimes I think if I could afford – I would want a third one :). The thought that the ‘not so angel’ anymore are growing up so fast, I am already missing having them as baby in our arms. A Strong reminder “Two is ENOUGH” helps!!