I was reading a research paper which was talking about people's perception of the perfect family composition. It made interesting reading.

I always wanted 2 kids. Boy then girl. A couple of years apart. Now obviously I have some degree of control over the number, and to some extent the spacing, but no-one was more staggered than I when that's the way it worked out for us.

We didn't know Adelaide's gender before her birth, and when I was pregnant with her I was 100% certain she was a boy. I even asked about 6 times after she was born for them to take a really good look to confirm she was a she as I was so certain I had a boy on board

A friend of mine has 5 boys, and she said she always wanted 5 kids and always wanted them the same gender.

Before you started TTC did you have a preference? If you could have picked what did/do you prefer? And did this change after you had kid(s)? E.g. did you always want girls but after having a boy only want boys? Did you hope for two of the same gender close in age so they could be mates? Did you decide you wanted more, or less, after having a child?

Obviously a healthy baby is the important thing, and I hope every parent knows how incredibly blessed they are no matter which gender, spacing etc. they end up with.

I just find people's individual perceptions on what constitutes the 'perfect' family composition interesting - particularly how this idea changes and evolves.

Prior to TTC I didn't have a definite idea of the number of children I wanted. Probably 2 but maybe 3 - definitely no more than that. I also wanted all girls. I come from a family of 4 girls so that is all I know and I loved growing up with sisters.

Whilst pregnant with Cate I still had that feeling of really wanting a girl. But I think as a defence mechanism I had convinced myself that she was a boy. Looking back I think I was doing that to try and minimise the "disappointment" at the actual birth if she did turn out to be a boy. Fast forward to the actual birth and the gender was the last thing on my mind and I could have cared less whether a boy or girl was the end result.

It took me a long time to contemplate having a 2nd child because being a mother came a lot harder to me than I ever thought it would. It brought out anxiety in me I never knew I had (have always been a pretty laid back person really). We had only just started considering it again when I fell pregnant with Charlie. I was shocked and it took me ages to "accept" the pregnancy. I got pregnant probably 6-9 months earlier than we wanted. Never in my dreams was I ever going to have 2 kids under 2 - but it happened and I am glad of the age gap now. As soon as I found out I was pregnant I was absoutely sure this was my last child. No inclination whatsoever to have another one. I also wanted another girl.

I decided to find out the gender this time and it was a boy. Finding this out actually helped me to bond with the pregnancy and I was really surprised that I was not upset at all at not having another girl. Actually I was upset - but only at the thought of Cate not having a sister to grow up with because that was what I knew.

So I ended up with 2 kids and still absolutely no inclination for any more. Despite wanting all girls I am so so happy to have a boy. They are extremely different children and the bond with a boy is very different to with a girl. I was speaking to my CHN about it and she said there had actually been research done on it and it is something to do with the whole connection of XY chromosones.

The only thing that has surprised me really is how hard I have found motherhood (well really just the newborn phase). I always thought I would love the newborn phase but I don't like it much at all and I think that has played a big part in my decision re the number of kids we have. If I could have a child come out at the age of 18 months I would probably have more.

I didn't really have a concept of my ideal family. I think I've always been quite pragmatic in my thinking, and have been very aware of my circumstances rather than being determined to get what I wanted.

So, before I had children I thought one child would be enough for us. After all I was 37 when we started TTC, so I was grateful to have one! I was also conscious that at our age it might be a difficult adjustment and that maybe if we had one child we could fit them into our lives more easily. I was very concerned about how my DH would cope with being a father, because he was pretty open about liking having all of my attention for himself.

I really wanted a girl. If I'd been considering 2 kids I would have said 2 years apart - I have no idea why, I guess that's just what people do isn't it? But I don't think I ever would have wanted more than 2.

Then we became parents, and after the initial adjustment period I just knew I wanted another one! DH was so in love with her that he couldn't get his head around having another. So we wouldn't have actively TTC until Rosie was at least 1 and we would have had to discuss it first. But we got a little surprise when she was just 9 months. And so we have a 17 month gap. And I love the gap so much, I'm so glad that I didn't get to control things because I couldn't have imagined how perfect it would be. DH feels exactly the same way as me, he is so happy that we have 2 so close together.

As for gender of number 2, once I had a girl I really didn't care what the next one was. I remember saying how glad I was that you didn't get to choose, because I could not have picked. I loved the idea of having 2 girls so close in age, and I loved the idea of parenting both genders. I think if #1 was a boy that I would have really wanted a girl, but seeing as I changed my mind about everything else, perhaps I would have been very happy with 2 boys!

I know now, that if circumstances were different (ie I was younger!) I would have had more children. At least 3, maybe 4. But if I was younger and my life experience had been different, then maybe I wouldn't have been so ready to become a parent. We've weighed up the pros and cons and we're sticking with 2 and we're embracing all the positives of having only 2 children.

We had talked about 2 maybe 3 children but given that i was told that I wouldn't be able to conceive naturally and would have to have ivf we spent most of our time leading up to starting to try just hoping we would be parents one day.

Turns out the Dr was very wrong, fell pregnant first cycle both times. After I fell pregnant we started to den a little, two maybe three, no preconceptions about gender. We had a girl and were ecstatic. Most of my friends had boys so I visualized a boy baby but we always felt we were having a girl. We wanted at least two yr age gap mostly designated by a trying newborn phase and my work, and myself and Dh having large gaps between us and our siblings and wanting ours to be closer in age. The 8 months sleep deprivation brought my number down to q definite two, DH would still like to leave our options open to three. Again we were lucky to get a precise age gap. We don't mind either way two girls would be nice and so would a boy and a girl, although Dh does joke about needing a boy to even out the numbers having to have two bossy girls to contend with already.

My expectations have changed over the years.

Once upon a time I had definite ideas about the number of children, the time between births, gender preferences etc.

Now days I'd settle for a baby. Don't mind about gender, don't mind if another baby follows. Just one would be fine.

Obviously I haven't started having kids yet. I want at least 3 kids - to me, 2 doesn't seem complete - but on different days, that can swing as high as 5 (I'm pretty sure it won't get that high!) I think a 2-3 year age gap is ideal. I'd like at least 1 of each gender, and if we have more than 3, I don't want one to be completely outnumbered (eg 4 girls and a boy) I think I'd like a boy first.
I have 2 names for each gender which I/we are pretty set on, so I suppose 4 children, 2 of each would be ideal, but other than wanting to use the names, I'm not too set on that.

Prior to TTC I always said we'd have a boy born in August, then a girl sooner than we thought, then another boy after a big gap.

I must say, after getting the first two right (and Bee, my instincts were spot on about what time she'd be born, even- I was 5 minutes off, the midwives were 10 hours off)- I'm still a little in shock to be so wrong about this one

I always wanted 4, 3 boys and a girl. 2 boys, then a girl, then another boy, with 20-26 month age gaps between each.

We have 2 boys with 22 months between them. Since I fell pregnant with #3 we have decided this is the last one and we don't know the sex.

If I could have chosen, this pregnancy would have been boy/girl twins.

I had always wanted four kids and wasn't phased about gender...but wanted each gender and at least one girl (hmmm, so maybe I WAS phased about gender ).

Obviously, having difficulties TTC, in the end I was happy to have a baby.

Like Scasey, I convinced myself I was having a boy when pregnant with Cate because I wanted to avoid 'disappointment'. I too was in shock when Cate was born and when she was a girl.

When pregnant with Seamus, DH and I were both convinced we were having another girl and I was thrilled that Cate would have a sister. Cue the arrival of our little man and more shock

People kept telling me how 'clever' I was to have had a pigeon pair but I just think that is ridiculous...I had zero control over the whole thing and was just so damn grateful to have healthy babies 'on the ground'.

We will definitely try to have one more baby...and if finances were not a consideration, we'd even go four but that won't happen. DH is almost 40 too so that plays a consideration for us. I wonder if I will feel 'done' if we manage number three...I most definitely don't feel 'done' now.

To, to answer the opening post, I had *some* ideas about gender and age gap but, after dealing with some degree of infertility for three years, I was just so, so grateful to 'take what comes'. I guess real life made me change my POV

If you could pick babies from the cabbage patch then I would of picked a girl first then three years later would of picked a boy.

After our early m/c it took 12 months to conceive Max so we weren't fussed at all with what sex we were having! we started trying when he was 15mths old which would mean a two year gap as we thought it would take another 12 months to get pregnant, we got lucky first month and there are two years between them which is great but I with a magic wand would of chosen three years.

I always 'wanted' a girl but after having Max I would of been just as happy with two boys

Before it was sort of a proper idea DH and I had spoken about having two - and probably one of each. Not long before we found out I was pregnant we both, separately, said that we were probably just a one child family.

I wanted a boy, DH wanted a girl. When we found out the acrobat was a girl I thought I'd be really disappointed but, honestly, it felt 'right' from the moment we found out. I think DH was a little more shocked/disappointed than I was as we'd been so convinced it was a boy that he'd started to talk himself around to it.

We'll see what happens, but for now the plan is the one we've got on the way and that's what I feel like our perfect family is.

Before we even started TTC #1 we always said we wanted a boy first and a girl second , 2 years apart and that if we had 2 of the same sex we'd try again but that 3 was it.

We got Jackson and he'll be almost 2 and a half when the second one is born but now I'm not so sure I want that girl second. I'll be happy either way but if I HAD to choose I'd probably go another boy. I swing a little though sometimes I think no I want a daughter other times can't even imagine not having another beautiful little boy.

I wanted four, no predetermined genders but at least one girl and one boy.

I was going to finish uni, work for a couple of years and then be a SAHM to the 4 or work part time.

Reality is I fell pregnant during my degree and I'm thinking the sleep deprivation from two young children is more than enough Perhaps if we travelled and (I) worked more before having our first, I would have been happier to settle down with more children but as it is, I like working and we want to travel both of which would be more difficult with 4 children. That and after a scary situation in DS's birth, DH will not have any more. Growing up, people always expected me to have a hoard of children (I love newborns, could have heaps of them - but then they grow into to toddlers ). Funny how the reality is different!

I have never been able to picture myself as the mother of a girl, for some reason. My second child is also a boy and it seems to surprise some that I'm content with that. I would have liked a bigger family than two children, however, but my husband is adament we stop after this one, which I've agreed to, not to mention the population impact. Overall I'm happy with my lot.

I always wanted a girl. I don't have any sisters, only 1 female cousin (and about 15 male cousins) and I don't have a close relationship with my mother. Growing up, everyone in the family would always say that 'Amy will have 'the girl' one day' and I felt a huge amount of pressure there (my mother had four children- me and then three boys, she always wanted another girl so I think I feel a lot of pressure to live her dream for her).

When we found out our first was a boy, I was a little disappointed but really loved the idea of having a son who was just like my husband. DH's family name would also 'end' with him if he didn't have a son (not that it's an uncommon name ). I was really happy.

Second time around, I was 'convinced' it was a girl. Different pregnancy, met all the girl signs, and when I thought about the two of them together I always imagined a boy/girl pair. It's hard even now to visualize my two sons playing together, in my head I'm still seeing my daughter, if that makes any sense?

As far as timing goes, we fell pregnant accidentally with our first, a few years earlier than planned. We always wanted a 2-3 year gap between our kids, so as a result our second is a few years earlier as well....but we've just adjusted the plan.

Numbers? DH is 110% happy with two, I'm 99.9995% convinced we will stop at two, depending on what the next few years bring.

I guess there is a part of me that always wanted a little girl, especially as I had always wanted a sister. Perhaps there is a daughter out there for me, but what will be will be.

I just always wanted to be a mum. So I was thrilled when I fell pregnant. Motherhood is the hardest thing I have ever experienced, but also the most richest and rewarding experience I have ever had.

I had a rough start to Liam's first year and my health wasn't that great, so this is why I'm not so keen to jump into getting pregnant just yet. I think we will make a decision soon though, but two for us is fine. I always wanted a big age gap though. Two close together I couldn't do.

I generally thought that I'd like to have two children, a boy then a girl, about two years apart. I'd even decided what age I'd have them at when I was with my ex-husband

In reality, I had my darling girl first, and know that she'll be a fabulous big sister one day.
There will most likely be a 3-4 year gap between Penny and a sibling, which I'm happy with. It's also highly likely that I'll have a boy next as there are very few females in OH's family (he's the youngest of 6 and has only 1 sister, and I think his dad doesn't have any sisters) and I'm happy with that.
I don't know if I'll have any more than 2, but my personal preference would be to be finished having children by 35.

If for some reason I am not blessed with any more children, then I will just have to accept that that's what is meant to happen.

I always pictured we'd have two kids, a boy and a girl, a few years apart. Now that I've had one boy, I'd be just as happy to have another one just the same. I also think we will start TTC earlier than originally planned and may even have a third if #2 is as easy a baby as #1.

Prior to falling pregnant, I had no preconceived ideas, at all. In fact, I was convinced I didn't want children.

When I became pregnant, I desperately wished for a boy. My preferences were largely fuelled by the relationships DH had with his (now adult) children. His son was the black sheep & didn't have a close relationship with DH at all. His daughter on the other hand, was really close. I think I wanted a boy to replace that missing bond for DH. I was also terrified of DH not being able to love another daughter in the same way he loved his 1st daughter. Silly - yes, but something that caused me great concern.

DH wanted a sibling for DD1 and really that's the only reason we went back for #2. Gender wasn't important (but I would still have loved a little boy). The age gap mirrors the age gap of DH's adult children. I hope DD1 & DD2 have the same close relationship that they enjoy. There's 7 years between my sister & I and I feel as if we're not even related.

Before I fell pregnant I wanted 4 children ideally a boy, then twins (what was I thinking ) ad then a girl.

After a horrendous pregnancy with severe HG and then Miss A being born premmie I told everybody we were only having one baby.

I would love Raya to have a sibling but I dread the idea of being pregnant again plus I had post natal anxiety following her birth. We will try for one more and now I hope I have a little boy. I don't want the comparison that can happen between two girls and I would like the experience of having a son. However I really wanted a girl and so was thrilled to have Aurelia first.

Even if I had had a wonderful pregnancy I still wanted a 4 year age gap.

I didn't go into TTC with too many ideas, except that we would have two children about two years apart.

When we first started TTC the first time round secretly I hoped for a boy. I don't know why, I just really wanted a son for our firstborn. I thought he was too, while I was pregnant, and it turned out I was right. I felt really selfish in a way hoping for one over the other, and of course I would've adored a girl too, when all that really matters when it comes down to it that I got a healthy baby. At 12 months old we decided to try again, with the expectation to get the 2 year gap. Daniel had been an easy baby so I had no real qualms about going back again.

Second time round we fell pregnant in the first month of TTC which was a bit of a surprise (it took us 4 months to conceive the first time) but I felt ready. I wasn't that fussed this time round whether it was a boy or girl. As the pregnancy has wore on I find myself hoping for another boy. I think I just like the idea that D will have a brother so close to his own age to play with.
I feel within myself it's another boy, my pregnancy so far has been exactly the same as it was with Dan.

At this stage, I acknoweldge just how lucky we have been so far with our children. The only thing now is, I am struggling with the idea that this child will be my last. I just don't feel my family is complete yet, but DH is reluctant to go for more. I am content to see how things go when this baby arrives, but if I could have my choice I would have one more several years down the track, when the current baby is at least 3-4 years old. I have got DH to at least be open to the idea, when hopefully our life circumstances are a bit better. So I guess now if I could pick I would have three children, two boys and one more boy/girl (perhaps a girl so I can have one daughter) the first two with the 22 month gap we have and a few years down the track one more.

I always wanted 2 and always pictured myself with at least 1 girl. I was aiming for a 2.5-3 year gap.

Seems that we don't always get what we wish for and having a 2nd child is proving a challenge. The gap is blowing out. But I don't care, all I want is a healthy baby one day soon when the stork remembers my address...

If you'd asked me pre kids, I wanted 3 - boy, boy, girl - and fairly close in age. This was for no better reason than I always wanted an older brother, and wanted more than 2 kids (as I'm one of two and my sister and I fought a fair bit when younger despite being close in age).

Now I've had my first, a little girl, who I found very challenging. For a long time she was going to be an only child! However I adore being the mother of a little girl.

We're pregnant with number 2 and a boy would be cool as then I'd have one of each, but I'd love another girl, and not just for the chance to use all those gorgeous clothes that my daughter has barely worn. We're pretty sure that 2 is it for us at this stage - DH has an age limit where he wants us to be finished with having kids, which is roughly 2 years after #2 is due.

Like nephthys I just can't see myself as a mother of a little girl. Growing up I was always a tomboy and still am to an extent. I've always said I don't think I could do a little girl justice. However I love the relationship I have with my mum and would love that if I had a daughter.

But honestly i've always wanted 3 boys (some might call me crazy ) but we have settled on 2 children to give them the best we can. Especially after having a boy I would love him to have a brother with about a 2.5yr age gap.

We are probably looking at a larger gap as DS was a suprise and we still have plans for our wedding and buying a house and would like to be settled in before TTC another. We'd just be happy with another healthy bub as i'm sure everyone would be

I wanted two - boy then girl two years apart. Or I wanted two girls two years apart but I definitely wanted my girl. After Sophie was born I got more married to the two girls idea and we had a name picked out. We found out Ethan was a boy somewhat by mistake on the scan (he takes after his father ) and we actually had a bit of gender disappointment. Of course I wouldn't have it any other way now.

I originally wanted a boy first because I have some pop psychology idea about older brothers to girls making better men because they're used to looking after their sisters.

For a while I was broody for a third but it passed and I feel that my family is complete now.

I don't think I could possibly have picked any better than what we have been given. Growing up I always wanted two kids, a boy then a girl, 3 years apart - and that's exactly what we have.

When pregnant with #1 though I did think it would be a girl (before we found out the sex), and when pregnant with #2 I was thinking it would probably be another boy (we tried to but couldn't find out the sex) - I was wrong on both occasions!

I've thrown a bit of a spanner in to the works now though and told hubby I want a third baby. He's said no, and if we don't have any more I'll still be over the moon with the two we have and I pinch myself every day because I can't believe how lucky we are, and I wonder if I'd be pushing my luck going for a third, but I'm starting to think a third would make our family complete.

ETA: And if we did have that third baby I have no idea what gender I would pick! Maybe another girl? I would probably have a slightly bigger age gap between #2 and #3 though, probably more like 4 years.

When we TTC Hamish I just wanted a baby, we fell pregnant and I had no concept of wanting a boy or girl, in my mind we were having a child. We had a boy and I never, ever thought how I wished I would have a girl.
With Angus we found out at 20 weeks that we were having a boy. Having had several dreams and thoughts that I was having a girl I felt initial gender disappointment, even though we had the losses I had an initial disappointment. I think more so because of the fact that I'm not sure if we will have more, not so much becuase he is a boy.

That gender disappointment was not hugely prevalent though and the instant he was born I just felt so completely at peace - I know I was supposed to have him.

I would love to have a daughter, to experience what a daughter would bring me - but if we try for another baby it will not be to have a girl (even if we do try some gender swaying techniques) it will be absolutely and compeltely for a baby.

If I were picking from a cabbage patch and money was no issue - I think I would have a football team.

Before TTC I wanted 3, maybe 4 kids, boy first, then girl, then whichever gender!

I always wanted a boy first, when we first got pregnant I was convinced we were having a boy as our family is FULL of boys, then we lost our bubs at 19 weeks and found out she was in fact a girl. I had tremendous guilt thinking she had died because she thought I didnt want her.

When we fell pregnant the second time I didnt care about the gender, I just wanted our baby to survive the pregnancy. And he did. I LOVE having a son. But after PND I told everyone I was never having anymore kids. But Im SO much better now, and can see more kids in our future.

I now think I might be happy with 2 kids, but might push it to 3, we will see how we go. As for gaps, I would like to have all my kids by the time Im 30, so I have 6 years to pop them out. I would love to have a girl second, then it doesnt bother me, but having all boys would be lovely too.

Channy, I'm so sorry to see that you've had another loss . Life really sucks sometimes.

I have to agree with Vik. Once upon a time I wanted 4 children and had no preferences re: gender but had definite ideas about time between births. Thankfully after many, many years of trying we've finally been blessed with our perfect baby but I have to face reality - I won't be able to have 4. And if we are lucky enough to have even one more I couldn't care less re: gender. I'm just so happy we have our one at this point in time.

I had always wanted boys, like others, I couldn't imagine myself with a girl. But I am completely and utterly thrilled with what we have now, and if it turns out the scan was wrong and we end up with the other gender then that's okay too. I cannot imagine being disappointed with this little kicky rolly babe in my belly, no matter the gender.

Next time I don't think I'll find out because I'll be completely happy with either gender, having two boys/two girls or one of each suits me just fine, I am totally not fussed.

I've never had an ideal number or spacing in my head, I would like at least two but we will just see what happens. All I thought of when I was growing up is that I'd like to complete my family by the time I am 28, well, I'll be 26.5 when this little one is born so I don't think I'll be having another one before 28.

If I was forced to choose, I'd choose a boy first, followed by another boy in about 2-3 years. But I am really glad I don't have to choose.

Once upon a time, I wanted 5. When I had DD I was convinced she was a boy, but was thrilled she was a girl.

I wanted a 2nd from the time she was 3 months old, but 5 years of single parenting made that impossible. My now DH and I started TTC'ing for #2 just over 3 years ago, and have yet to be successful. Realistically now I know my dream of 5 is a pipe dream, and I'll be lucky to get another 1, and I'm not concerned about gender 1 iota. That said, I do belive if we do have another it will be a boy.

If things were different, and I was ordering my family online, I would have 5, probably 3 girls and 2 boys, with 2 - 3 years between each.

Before TTC I had planned 3 children. Ideally at least one of each sex and another girl (since I had a long list of girls names and such a short list of boys ones ) I never really considered my preferred age gaps. 4 years was the norm within my family. Although I had a friend who had 3 boys within 3 years and she was completely overwhelmed so I knew I didnt want them close.

After 2 m/c's all those ideas were swept out the door. I just wanted one healthy baby. Finally, after Annabelle was born we were thrilled to actually have 1 and since I found feeding and settling into motherhood more difficult than I expected I was definately not considering another one anytime soon. But, within a couple of months everything settled and we began to think another might be nice. Apparently, my body thought so too and we conceived within a month of my period returning.

Now, Im finding two toddlers a lot harder to manage than either of them in the newborn phase. And while we'd definately like a third, finances and managing three under 5 are definately constraints for us.

In terms of the gender of the next one, I have to admit, I think I'd love another boy. They are so much more cuddle and affectionate than girls and I dread to think of dealing with Annabelle's teenage attitude let alone dealing with TWO teenage girls. Mind you, whatever we have would be well loved.

Pre ttc - I always thought I wanted 2. Perhaps a 3rd would be ok. All close in age.

I always wanted a boy first, girl second.

Reality - I got my boy first am am so happy with him I feel that's enough, at the moment anyway. I have no desire to have another one in the foreseeable future. But if we were to go back for #2, I think I would like a larger age gap. Maybe 4 years? Funnily enough, I think I would choose another boy over a girl. I love my little man to bits, I would love a carbon copy of him.

Pre ttc I wanted 3, 2yrs apart, boy, girl, boy. Purely so the boys could "protect" the the girl

When we fell with Nate, I had an instinct he was a boy all along, so much that I painted a wall blue in his room and told DH it could pass as purple if he was a girl
With Dane I wasn't fussed, a girl would have been nice and I knew DH wanted a girl, he has 3 older sisters so I have no idea why he would want another girl in his life . When he came out a boy, it felt right to me.
People were saying we would have to go back for a girl, but I told them that I saw us with 3 boys, and I did.

We have found out that this precious bub is a boy. I wasn't disappointed when we found out but I did have a moment where I was sad I wasn't able to give DH his little princess that he wanted, but we are delighted to be able to have 3 boys. I absolutely can not wait to meet our little man, I just now need to convince Nate that because he thinks we need a girl bubby that it doesn't always happen like that

I don't know that i could pick?
But i'm pretty happy with what i have so i guess i would pick what i have?

A boy & another of either sex just shy of 3 years apart

I always wanted 2 or 3 kids with a girl first. I have 3 sisters and most of my friends have girls so boys are just something I don't know how to deal with so I wanted something I knew about first.

When I got pregnant I was convinced I was having a boy, probably to prepare myself in case it was Turns out she was a girl and DH and I were both very surprised when she arrived!

Now I think I'd be happy with 2 kids. DH only wants one or two so 3 is out of the question anyway. I swing between wanting another girl and having a boy depending on the day but I do know there is no way I'm having another one before DD is 3. 2 of my sisters are 23 months apart and they have scared me for life of having kids that close together. Morning sickness also put me off geting UTD again anytime soon!

With my first, I really didn't think about the gender. I was convinced that I was having a boy, and he was. I didn't have a preference either way, but if I could have chosen it would have been to have a boy, for both my husband and Dad. I'm an only child, and while Dad loved me to bits I think he wished they'd been able to have a boy too.

This time, I'm feeling rather the same way. I would love a little girl, as I have such a close relationship with my Mum and would love to have the same thing, but I'm honestly not fussed either way. As long as the baby is healthy, that is all I care about.

We had planned to have a biggish gap between our children, and a three year gap has worked out well. It was a few months earlier than planned, but I think it will be good. I had a hard time after Henry was born, and really needed some time to get myself better before we contemplated another child.

I don't really care about the gender but if I have two of the same I'd rather have two boys than two girls. A small part of me would like a little girl, followed by a boy 3.5 years later. Time will tell

For me I always wanted 2 kids of the same gender. Before we had them I never thought about how far apart they would be.

But I am thankful for my 2 boys. If my first had of been a girl I would of been happy with 2 girls. I never wanted one of each. My DH would of liked to of had a little girl, but he didn't want 2 girls.

I grew up with an older brother and we aren't close so I was hoping that if I had 2 of the same they would be friends. And with the 17 month age gap I am hopeful they are friends.

Funny thing is whenever I am out with the 2 boys I always gets comments from older ladies that have teenage boys close in age that talk about what good friends they are

People are asking me if I am going to try for a girl which we aren't as we wanted 2 kids not a boy and a girl.

To me the idea of 2 boys was a nightmare I was hoping for a girl first partly so I wouldn't have to worry about ending up with 2 boys, I don't think I could cope with that.

Growing up I always wanted the same Puggie and I think for me it was because that is the family I grew up in, me and an older brother with a 2.5 year age gap, I had a happy childhood so it just seemed right if that makes sense.

I do recall a short period in my teens though when I decided I would like 3 children, boy, girl, boy - I have no idea why I came to that decision.

Now as a 33 year old with a beautiful baby boy, I guess I still would like the same as I did when I was young. We are hoping for a 2.5 year age gap still, though as has been pointed out you can only control when you start TTC, not when you actually do conceive so that is out of our hands. As for the sex, while I would like a girl to experience having a child of both sexes, DH and I really think we will have 2 sons and we will be equally delighted if that is the case.

I always envisaged myself with 2 girls, about 2 years apart. I have 2 girls, 3 years apart and I am perfectly happy with what we have

Same here.

We've always wanted kids, and always said that we would like at least 3. We are both from a family with 2 kids, girl first & then boy, both spaced out with about 2 years between. It was great growing up with a younger brother, but I would have also loved to have experienced a sisterly bond. I think DH would have loved a brother. As time draws nearer, and money gets tighter, I'm leaning towards only wanting 2. I think anymore would be too expensive! haha

In an ideal world, where you could pick babies from a cabbage patch and money was no issue I would have 4 kids, 2 of each. Boy, Girl, Boy, Girl. That way I get a chance to raise sons & daughters & my children get sisters & brothers! haha! Bear in mind, I havnt even had ONE yet, so this is obviously all just in my head

I think I always thought it would be nice to have two, one of each, with a 2-3 year age gap. Basically my family replicated.

I did have some disappointment that I probably wouldn't get to experience being a mum to a girl but I am thrilled to have two boys. My DH is one of three boys and they are such good friends - I hope my boys end up that way. My brother and I have our ups and downs! Never really got over the childhood fighting stage! lol

eta - if finances, physical space, inability to cope with two as it is weren't a factor I'd have two more and choose two girls with a two year age gap. Pretty sure we'd get two boys though.

I'm happy with what we have chosen. Its something we discussed before we married. My hubby is an only child and he wanted a "big" family. I am from a house with just me and my sister and both my parents are from familys of 3. we always said we would have at least 2, 2-2.5 years apart (my sister and i are 8 years apart and it made me want my kids way closer). we got a 2 year age gap and a boy and a girl. I always thought i would have had all girls and my mum betted on all boys after our son was born, never in my wildest dreams did i think i'd get a pidgeon pair .

We have decided to go for the 3rd, but it will be a bigger age gap this time. We want to wait till Aidan goes to school before the next one is due. So there will be about 3.5 years between number 2 and number 3

Before everything, we said 2 children.

Then when we had a bit of a harder time getting Kaele we said just her. So one girl it was. I was sure she was a boy though!

We decided to go for another one, and 'ideally' we were thinking 2 girls..we could just see ourselves with 2 girls. Well my 'instincts' were off as usual, and we got a boy! I was so happy with having a boy. I knew I wanted more kids while pregnant with Miller, and 'ideally' another girl next, and then if I can convince Klay for another, a boy after that but I think that is just pushing my luck

If it was all as easy as picking up a menu - I would have ordered a boy and then a girl two years later.

In saying that we are having a our first child in a couple of months - she is a little girl and I couldn't be happier - i couldn't even imagine it any other way now either

I can honestly say that I never thought about what I wanted..... Actually, the question was probably whether we would have children at all......

In the end, after having no expectations at all re: family composition we have ended up with a girl and a boy 3.5 years apart. It's fantastic, I am one of two, just me and my younger brother and I am excited that my kids will have the same 'family' type that I had growing up! DH on the other hand had two older sisters and he said that was one sister too many


This is us exactly! It is wonderful but I am biased