Why are we always asking what's next?

When you're in a relationship and you have been with someone for a while, people ask, "when are you getting married?", you then get married and it starts at your reception, "so when are you having babies?"... then you have a baby, they turn 1 and it's, "when are you having your next one?".  Why do people feel the need to ask those questions? I have done it before but now I'm in the position of being constantly asked, I will never ask again!

My husband and I were together for 6 years before we got married but when we met I was still grasping (barely) to my teenage years so as you can imagine, he was in no rush to marry someone who hadn't truly lived yet.  We embarked on our life together with frivolity, holidaying more than once a year and going to expensive restaurants for special occasions.  When we got married, life was no different we were still the same people just wearing rings with matching surnames.  Neither of us were ready for children nor were we living in a place that would be suitable for children.  So tried to tick off as many places/events as we could before we were able to buy a house again that would be suitable for a family and until we were ready for a family.  This was 4 more years of "when are you having a baby?", except that after the first couple of years, people feel awkward asking as they don't know whether you're choosing not to have children or not.  We moved into our house during year 10 of being together with this massive renovation plan and three months later I was pregnant.  

Now that my son is over a year old and I'm over 30, I am constantly asked when are you having your next one and it's even by friends who have other better things to talk to me about!  I appreciate that whilst I am not getting any younger, my feelings towards having another baby are much like my initial feelings were towards being married and trying for a baby all those years ago.  I'm not in any rush.  Maybe my husband feels differently despite the conversation we have had about it but I'm not physically, mentally or financially ready for another child yet.  

I would love for my son to have a sibling and I have never wanted just one child but I'm just not in that place yet.  If it so happens that when I'm ready to have another baby, I am unable to then we will cross that bridge when we come to it but I'm not unhappy with my life.  I have enough and it's not something I want to change.  My son is wonderful and I'm so grateful we were able to have him even if he is mischievous and pushes my buttons too frequently.  I  love our unfinished house and my husband who has endured over a decade of me and my neuroses. 

My son will be 2 this year and if by the end of the year I'm ready for another baby, I will be very surprised.  My heart is full. 

~AB~