A new addition...

I can hear my dad groaning all the way from Scotland...

OK, I admit it, it was a bribe. But I had to do it!

Oliver has been relentless on his quest for a baby brother or sister. I must admit for a while he had me convinced. I would very much have liked another baby. There are lots of reasons (including my insane cluckiness, and other darker, sadder reasons that I won't go into), but I was most worried about Oliver not having a brother or sister to bounce things off as he got older. I love having Anthony's brothers around - we have the occasional beer-fueled fun afternoon, go to concerts together and generally do lovely family-type things. I was (still am) concerned that Oliver will miss out on that.

But then I figured that he'd probably marry some girl (or boy) with 5 brothers and sisters to make up for it. Or something like that. Here's hoping.

And I thought about all the reasons I shouldn't have a kid: I'm 37, terribly overweight, getting settled in a new (and ever upward, I hope) career, fairly financially stable, and enjoying the no-nappies-or-crying-but-a-full-night's-sleep-yay! years.

We talked to Oli. We told him all the reasons that a new baby might be a problem. We suggested maybe an animal might be better. After all, we've got a few around here anyway (have I told you about our two dogs, one cat, one duck, 5 chickens and 100 parrots?); what's one more?

So on Sunday, we went and bought a baby rabbit. His name is Roger. Isn't he cute?
Oliver has been a great 'dad': feeding, changing the water, vacuuming the scattered wood shavings, even picking up poop with his bare hands! I know it's early days, but all the signs are good!

So yes dad, it's another animal. But consider the alternative...