Sorry, Welshmum, but I totally disagree. I think if you just stop talking about it he'll think you've come round to his way of thinking.
Mind if I ask how old you are, needtobeamummy? Are you in a hurry to start this family? Or do you have a few years before that clock begins to tick?
I wonder if you might be better off telling dp that you are certain that you do not want to not have kids. ANd that he can have a few months to think about and make his decision. And, during these few months, you could make efforts to be a little less available, hence giving him a taste of what life will be like without you. I don't mean anything drastic. Just, when Saturday night comes around, you can go out with the girls. Maybe a girly weekend away. Like Saturday night is always fun woth the boys, but does he really want to be alone on Sunday morning?
I really feel for you. It's a tough decision. My husband played a bit of this game too after we were married. He new up front that I wanted children. I wanted 3, he said 2, I said ok. Then we actually got pregnant on accident. But, I was delighted, and he grew to accept it. Then, with number 2 he started talking that we couldn't afford, and so on. I just looked him staight in the face and told him that I was not under any circumstances willing to consider not having a second child. And. he gave in. We got pregnant straight away. Baby number 2 is due in May/June of 2005.
I knew then and I know now that if I had stayed with him and not had children, I would never have forgiven him. I would have resented him, grown to hate him, and it would have ended in divorce anyway. I really believe that my desire to have children is/was so strong that if it had not been done, the marriage would not have survived.
Oh, I hope you find this helpful. It's a tough decision. Try to look far into the future and what will make you happy then, not what is easiest for you today. At least that's my philosophy on life. I try to look at long-term happiness before short term happiness.