Steph, I'm glad the funeral went well with little trauma. Your man is a gem. And so are you.

Trudy, best of luck! Dealing with my mom's dementia was one of the hardest things I ever had to do, and I wasn't even with her all the time.

Thanks, Zen. It's going to be a ride, that's for sure.

I just got off the phone with Mommy. My Cousin C (he's my Dad's first cousin, about 65) is in the end stages of his cancer. I tried to see him before I left but we weren't able to make that work out. He's done a lot of geneological work and wants me to take up his research, not just let is lie there. Of course I'm happy to do that. And I'm happy to be able to put his mind at ease even though I'm so far away. Not getting to say good bye to him, however, is pretty rough.

His daughter S and I grew up together, same age and all. Watching all my cousins lose and maybe lose their parents is pretty hard going.

{{{Trudes}}}

So, parents, how did you decide whether or not to have a 2nd child?

Signed,
Not getting any younger

((((Oh Trudy!))))

Man, GC. We can't even figure out whether or not to have a first. On the one hand, kidlet to make into a person! On the other travel, nightlife, relative freedom! On the one hand passing down tradition, love, trying to put a force for good out there. On the other insurance, medical costs, the world as it is today.

For me, it was always just something I wanted. And on the pragmatic side, I didn't think it was fair to make one child be responsible for two parents down the line. I don't know what I would do if there was only me to deal with my parents when they get old and will need extra care.

As for the not getting any older, take it from me and if you want to do it, do it now. Hindsight being what it is, I wish Joe and I had gotten started on #2 a lot sooner than we did.

So, parents, how did you decide whether or not to have a 2nd child?

When we survived the first one.

Thanks for the hugs. Its going to be a haul.

Do you still have goodies left lying around, Glam, or would be harvesting eggs again?

I have 8 "snowbabies" (ugh), so we'd be doing IVF (actually FET) again. So hard to decide!

{{{Trudy}}} I'm so sorry.

GC, I have no idea, but you do make exceptionally cute babies.

I'm feeling myself get older every second and feeling less able to deal with a baby all the time, which really doesn't make me want one any less.

(((Trudy)))