When One or the Other just 'Aint Enough

I've always known I wanted to be a mother. Most little girls play with dolls, but as I played with mine, I knew that part of my life's calling one day would be to have real ones-- to grow up, meet a man, have babies, and screw them up in my own, unique way. And here I am, almost 26 years old, and am no closer to having that real family than I was 20 years ago when I was playing with plastic. Friends, family members, and co-workers joke about my "baby fever" when in fact I believe that my yearning is only natural. I am not upset about my lack of babies, because I have other, very full-filling obligations, such as my career. However, when realizing that a job is full-filling my baby void, a whole new set of questions arise that I, being the ever-so-slightly over analyzer that I am, need answered.

I am finding that girls my age in the year 2008 have decided on either one priority-- the job, or the babies. Most young female executives I know are in no rush for babies, but are excited about moving up in their company and in the world. I also find that the reverse is true. I find that women my age who are on the verge of a family or are in hopes of a family are not very enthusiastic about what they do for a living. My question is, what do you do when one or the other just 'aint enough? Why can't I be a 26 year old woman who loves her career, who wants to excel in the business/journalistic world and who has greater things on her horizon--- but who also is on pins and needles waiting for that family that she so greatly desires. Why can't I love babies AND business journals? Why can't I be excited about a networking event AND a future with a wonderful man?

More and more women are entering the workforce as we speak, and I find that wonderful. There are so many cookies out there to be eaten up, and I definitely plan on taking my fair share of them. However, why should it make me any less ambitious if I want to have babies, and take time off from work to raise them? And why should it make me any less "nuturing" or "maternal" if I also want to kick butt in the publishing world and meet as many professionals as I can? I'm wondering when it got to be silly that a woman in almost her late 20's is excited about holding a baby and having one in the future?

I hope that one day, 20-somethings will be allowed to desire both-- But for now, I remain that freak who loves her career, and also can't wait for the little mini-gus' to be running around in the future.