I distinctly remember your 1 and only comment from the birth story too, so pleasantly surprised to see this so soon!
I originally wanted something in the region of 18 months. However, gynae issues and a wedding in India meant we had to delay ttc for a year, luckily I fell quickly and am now looking at a 28 month gap. Truthfully, now I've had an 18 months old I'm glad of the enforced wait! I think I would have found it a lot harder than I anticipated. I'm site I would have coped, a few friends did have that age gap and have breezed it.
My reason for wanting a smaller age gap is so that both children can enjoy things at a similar time. For example if we take them skiing or to Disney the oldest doesn't have to wait that long for the youngest to be old enough.
I'd also like them to be friends growing up and they're more likely to go through similar stuff at similar times.
Financially it works out ok, as A will get his funding the month I go back to work, do it'll only work out 33% increase in childcare, and I may get a sibling discount. I must admit though, that wouldn't have been a consideration stopping us going for a smaller age gap, it would have just made the decision of whether to return to work or not easier.
Age wise, H wants to be done by the time he's 35, which is next year.
Really though, I'd take shorter term pain for the longer term gain and choose a shorter age gap.