It's the loneliest number that you'll ever do...

Whenever someone asks the question, "Is he your first?" I reply quite quickly, "Yes. And my last."
Everyone (I should say everyone with children) says I will change my mind.  "Just wait", they say.
I doubt that.
Eric and I are quite confident we are not interested in another child.  That may sound cold.  It seems cold as I type it.  How could we not be 'interested' in another child?
It's simple.
Children are expensive.
Children are exhausting.
Eric and I are getting older, not younger.  Which means we are slower and ache in more places.
I did not enjoy being pregnant.
Eric did not enjoy my being pregnant.
Childbirth is not on my list of things to do again.
The first month with Rocco was a questionable time period as well.
Eric and I are tired.  We barely have time for ourselves let alone each other.
We are financially spread pretty thin.
I could give a few more reasons but I think you get the idea...

I would do it all over again for Rocco.  Without a doubt.  He is the most amazing thing in the world.  He makes my soul sing and my heart feel like it is going to explode it is so full.  But I'm not interested in going through it all again.
I keep getting told that Rocco is going to be lonely without siblings.  'Only children' are bossy.  They don't know how to share.  They need to be the center of attention.  They have a hard time socializing.  Etc.
I have found plenty of information that contradicts those theories.

My niece is an only child.  She has none of the above stated characteristics.  She is very active in the community.  She has tons of friends, is able to share, and she is giving.  My sister and brother in law raised her to do those things.  She has better social skills than most of her friends with siblings.

Growing up one of my closest friends was an only child.  She had nice things but I would not say she was spoiled.   Her parents were simply able to supply her with a higher standard of living because they only had one child to provide for.  She had a nice stereo and her parents bought her a car the year we all turned 16.  But it was a used car.  And she never made us feel less than.

Eric is an only child.  I'm not sure he is the best example of someone who grew up well adjusted.  He had his own set of circumstances to deal with.  But being an only child didn't prevent him from being able to make friends or engage in meaningful relationships as an adult.  He was also blessed with a ton of cousins - the next best thing to brothers and sisters.

I want to be able to provide for my son and I want him to live comfortably.  I'm not talking about buying him everything he asks for.  My hope is that his priorities with not involve hand held electronics and name brand clothes.  I want to be able to send him to camp, pay for his braces, and not go broke doing so.  Having another child would make that a bit more challenging.  And I'm not a fan of financial insecurity.

Another factor in our decision is our age.  I heard on the radio a few years ago that women can not sell their eggs after the age of 27 because that is the age that their eggs 'go bad'.  27 was a long time ago for me.  Plus I drank for 15 years and smoked for almost 20.  Since I was 35 when I had Rocco I was sent to a prenatal specialist and was considered 'high risk'.  While Eric and I had faith that Rocco would be healthy I couldn't help but get a little nervous before every appointment at which time the doctor looked for 'abnormalities' and 'deformities'.  We have been blessed with one healthy baby.  We are not willing to take any chances with the health and well being of another nor are we prepared to lose a child.

Most of you know that my husband is a physical hot mess.  Degenerative disc disease.  Brian injury.  Replacement hips.  Screws in his ankle.  Bolts in his forehead.  Most everyday physical activity causes him pain and puts further strain on his body.  Rocco is only getting heavier.  That kid needs to start walking before his Daddy ends up in a wheelchair.

Eric and I have confidence that we will raise a happy boy who is kind and respectful to others.  We will put extra effort into his social life if need be.  We are doing what is right for this family.  We appreciate your advice and respect your opinions.  But we are done.