While I sort of agree with the OP about you drifting away from the central topic, this is still a great comment.

They/you seem to be thinking exclusively of babies - and confusing babies with plastic baby dolls.

This is a really good point and something I seem to see a lot among progressive women. The idea of adopting a kid or using a surrogate instead of getting pregnant has an undertone of "Why make your own when you can buy a pre-made one off the shelf?" I didn't realize it until you pointed it out. I think generally a lot of that cohort and the childfree crowd have missed the central spiritual meaning of having children and along with our culture reduce it to its aesthetic and consumable components.

And your comment about men being often better/more involved because they are more free and fulfilled is great. I felt that in my own parents too. My mother was suffering under the weight of expectations about being a "good" mother and it led to her being frustrated and distant, while dad was free to just be a person, himself, and show up authentically. Ironically, it leads to him being the more balanced and involved parent, which just adds to her feelings of inadequacy. I've worked on my 'mother wound' and committed to making sure i am always a person first, and a parent second.

And thanks for your positive comments about your husband. We only ever see the crappy stories and it trains women to accept that. I have a wonderful husband too and we're just starting our family.