...and BABY NO. 2?!

No, I am not pregnant!! (Sorry, Dan). Do I want to be? Hmmm, that is such a deceptively simple question. The better question is "When is the perfect time to have baby no. 2?" Since that has been mulled over and analyzed by women since Eve herself, I won't do that here. (Although a friend of mine and I recently agreed three years apart was the perfect time frame - assuming success in the potty training department of course. Otherwise what kind of mother would you be?) My chief complaint is that I would like to feel more ready. Which is a complete cop-out and I know it. Part of the problem is I know what kind of upheaval surrounds the first 1-3, okay 4-6, months as well. Let's see, Karina started sleeping through the night at 4 months. If my memory serves me correctly (or if it existed at all back then) she was pretty much, dare I say it, colicky*. And a general - but very lovable- pain in the rear. (If you ever read this Karina, I want extra handmade artifacts for months 0-4!) So, back to the question itself. Which can only be answered with another question -- "If you don't sleep during the night, and you obviously don't sleep during the day, where does that leave you?" Since I was just at the OB/GYN, I suppose I could have posed my question then. It was obvious to me that Dr. Cook had joined forces with my husband in twisting my arm on behalf of unborn baby No. 2. (Baby No. 2, if you ever should read this, rest assured you are wanted and loved, as much as Baby No. 1. Even as I write this, I have picked out names** for you already. So please don't ever guilt me like I guilted my parents. Thank you in advance.) I had no idea that I was in for a subtle, yet probing inquest into my baby-making persuasions. To give him credit, I don't think he was trying to keep himself in the business. I'm sure he has comforted more than his share of women who are unable to conceive, lest they wait - dare I say it - past 30. So if Dr. Cook and Dan are eager to do their jobs, how could I possibly disappoint them?? I know in my heart I won't (I was always a sucker for peer pressure) but here are the reasons I offer up anyways.

1. Dan leaves before 7:00 am and returns home approximately 7:00 pm. While I am happy to accommodate this schedule - as it allows me to be gainfully employed as a SAHM - it nevertheless stinks like one of Karina's rotavirus dirty diapers. (Sorry for the visual, and THANK YOU for working so hard Dan! I mean that).
2. I am currently studying for my personal trainer exam, to work at a gym or else a pilates studio. So I would like to have established myself in that line of work, and send Karina to daycare/preschool. Baby No. 2, you are obviously on your own!
3. My parents have bought a house in Florida and are moseying their way down, permanently. Just typing this sentence makes me break out in hives.
4. Although I can (and do) change dirty diapers all day, the thought of breast-feeding again is another thing all together. Enough said.
5. Adoption is a real and viable option. Since Dan does not share my opinion, I always tell him I am aiming to adopt a little French boy. Since Dan despises the French (what a typical chicken finger loving male thing) I figure we can compromise in the middle and just adopt a boy.

*No one, least of all pediatricians, likes to use the c-word anymore. Mostly because it sounds scary and hopeless. Nevertheless, it exists, and all you can do is love them through it. (I did however read somewhere that colicky babies usually turn out to be very smart. But that could be just a made-up thing to get parents psyched up).
**I like Savannah and Lila for girls' names since I am pretty convinced you are destined to be another girl. I have brainstormed for boys' names and it is much, much harder. I do like Christian, Jake, and Jaxon though.