No more babies for this mama

There comes a time in every mom's life when they realize they don't want to have any more babies, if blessed with the choice.

For every woman it's different, but it does happen. I remember my youngest brother asking me that specific question only hours after the birth of his first child.

I dragged him from the hospital so he could finally eat some dinner and he was floating on cloud nine since just witnessing one of God's greatest miracles. During dinner, in his euphoric state of mind, he asked me, "So when do you know you don't want any more babies?"

But what he meant was, "Why would anyone ever not want to keep having babies, because that whole witnessing-your-flesh-and-blood-be-born experience was totally amazing and there is nothing sweeter in the whole world than that new little girl with my last name!"

I knew what he was feeling, as I'd been there three times already, but my innocent brother hadn't even taken his adorable bundle home yet. Little did he know about the chaos that awaited him.

There was no way I was going to crush his jubilant mood, so in a very caring way I said, "Ohhh, there comes a moment when you just know it's time to be done and be thankful for the blessings you've been given."

He pushed me further asking, "No really. How do you know, because this baby thing is awesome!"

So I leveled with him and said, "OK, it's when they're all in the back seat screaming and fighting and throwing things, you haven't gotten a full night's sleep in weeks, you're broke because of all the diapers and formula, and you almost can't stand the sight of your spouse anymore. THAT'S when you know!"

Three babies and four years later, and I think my poor brother finally understands what I meant.

Loud and clear!

Anyway, this summer, my girls have been on this "mom should have another baby" kick. The mom character on one of their favorite TV shows just had her fifth baby, and so one evening my girls preposterously suggested that I should have another baby. You can imagine my response as a 40-year-old mother.

I rolled my eyes and declared, "Ya right, girls." No way, no how, do I have any desire to start that whole ballgame over. I dearly love babies, but there is one thing I am certain about, and that is no more for me! That's what nieces and nephews are for, and maybe some far off day, grandbabies.

The girls carried on about how great it would be and how they would help take care of it, even the dirty diapers and everything! They got excited just talking about it, like there might just be some slim chance I would give in to their begging.

I again told them, "Nope. Not gonna happen. Sorry! I'm too old, too tired and if I told your Dad I was pregnant, he'd catch the next bus to Phoenix." Their best comeback to my refusal reverted back to the dumb TV sitcom that started this whole shenanigan, "Well, the mom on Good Luck Charlie's has a kid in college and she just had another baby and everything's great!"

And, of course, our life would be exactly the same as the made-up life on a Disney sitcom, wouldn't it? That's reality, right?

My poor girls have no clue, just like my brother didn't four short years ago. Having a baby is an awesome experience and there are few words to describe it, but when they said it's the toughest job you'll ever have, they weren't a kiddin! Plus, after a couple of babies, the decision to have another one isn't usually taken lightly because then you know what you're getting yourself into.

I admit that every now and then I do get a little baby fever, but the best way I can describe, as to not scare the living daylights outta Hubby, is that I miss MY babies but don't wish for any more.

I'm really liking this chapter of my life right now, so sorry girls, no more babies for this mama!