In the photo, one blond angelic head leans against a brown-haired counterpart. Beaming smiles split cherubic cheeks. They are both just babies, I think, pulling the picture from its frame. Our first two sons were born two years and three months apart – both planned and delightedly welcomed. Looking back, I wonder what I was thinking. Why I did I think Ethan needed to be a big brother when he was still a baby himself? Not so long ago, family planning was fickle, ruled by fate or religious belief. I had the benefit of being born in the late ’60s and into a belief system that didn’t make childbearing a prerequisite for salvation, and instead encouraged husbands and wives to be responsible when choosing the size of their families/Cindy Hval, SR. More here.

Question: Are you happy with the size of your family?