sequel

 I've come full circle on the 'gender question' and resolved my "fear of boys" - I decided that Miles would love to have a little brother - they'll be close in age, so they'll be great playmates, and little boys are adorable fun. Adelaide will be a great little helper either way. We are all super excited to meet the last little member of our family - boy or girl - (even Miles peaks under my shirt at the growing belly, saying "babee!").  And my dreams have changed back to the usual useless renditions and recollections of pregnancy.

In other news, part II of the world's most amazing back-yard play structure is complete! We have a joke that if natural disaster every strikes Portland, our family and all of the neighbors can take refuge in the playhouse, which is sturdier and larger than any reasonable family home.

Props to Joe (and thanks to my Dad) for getting this done - hopefully our little 3 have many hours of backyard fun ahead, although Miles will certainly miss the power tools and skill saw that have been occupying our yard!

oohhh, BOY!

Let me preface this by saying that Miles is the most wonderful little boy I could ever imagine. He is amazingly affectionate, loves to give kisses, snuggles, hugs. His favorite self-soother is to run his fingers (remarkably gently) through my hair, which is quite endearing. He has an infectious sense of humor and laughs often, agreeably cleans up his toys (with encouragement), listens well, sleeps well, eats well, and is generally an incredibly great little person who we love having in our lives.

All that said, he is a boy in every sense, and becoming more boy every day. And he's pushing me to the brink of sanity. I have developed this terrible fear that my third little dragon will be another boy ... and I don't think I can do it! My pregnancy dreams (why do I only dream when pregnant? I hate dreaming) almost exclusively involve some dramatic exaggeration of Miles' less-than-ideal little boy actions.  I've been thinking lots about my Aunt Margaret (who has 4 boys), my Aunt Lisa (who raised 3), my M-I-L and Grandma Mary (who each had 4 along with multiple girls) ... and I tell myself that if they can do it, then I could survive 2 ... and then I wake up in terror because I am not sure I could survive 2!!!