I remember Cherie's dad. I'm sorry to hear about him having ALS.
When our Rottie died, I thought we'd never have another dog. One day I came home and my mom was there. She had just given Margaret her less-than-year-old Yorkshire Terror. Seriously. I could have strangled that dog several times during its first couple of years with us. Then, a few years ago, my daughter's friend's Border Collies had pups. Seems the mother and daughter both went into heat at the same time, and dad got them both. My daughter wanted one of the pups, and asked us to drive her out to the ranch to look at them. Margaret's brother came too. They both decided to take one. While they decided which, I was playing with the other pups. As I held one, Laura (my daughter) asked me, if I was to get another dog, what would I name it. Without thinking, I said 'Shelby.' Then she asked me if that was 'Shelby' I was holding. I looked at the pup in my hands, and thought, OMG, if I don't take this dog I will always wonder what happened to 'Shelby.' So, again, I had a dog I never thought I'd have. Shelby and her sister Magpie (the one Laura picked) just turned 4 in Sept. Margaret's brother picked a boy from their sister's/father's litter, Pepe. You can tell he's inbred by the way he acts. Or maybe that's from living with my brother-in-law.
Personally, I retired in Dec. 2004. In late 2007 I wanted a Shelby GT500 so bad I could taste it. I called around to the local dealers, and all wanted $10,000-$20,000 over sticker, which at the time was $43k. I refused to give them $20k just because they wanted it, so we took the $63k and looked around for something else. I ended up picking up a 2008 Corvette convertible at the Nat. Corvette Museum on my birthday. I wanted a Z06 because I liked the widebody look, but I wanted a convertible more. In 2010 they came out with the Grand Sport, a wide-body like the Z06, but with the base engine and available in coupe or convertible. I considered trading mine in for a couple of years, then bought the 'kit' from online dealers and made mine into a widebody.
Remember the Wilwood brakes you helped me install in your garage? I just got a new TCE 16" kit that will fill out my 20" replica wheels. Will install them soon. Black powdercoated rotors, blue powdercoated 6-piston calipers. I took my L on road courses, Thunderhill, Sears Point, Laguna Seca, and Buttonwillow, and the Wilwoods were the best thing I did to the L. Haven't done that since I retired, and probably never will again, so committed to the large brakes/wheels mainly for the shows.
Margaret is still working; self-employed, contracted to several airlines out of Oakland Airport, delivering delayed luggage. She loves it, and doesn't want to retire. But I drag her away from time to time for a cruise or short trip. Or long one--we're driving to Glacier Nat'l Park next year, and considering driving the Vette to Carlisle, PA. Marg tells me my dog is the only Shelby I'll ever own, but when her new Explorer is paid off I'd like to find a used GT500 (Yeah, still aching for one!).
Regarding a second child, go with Cherie. Its not too late. I mean, your first is only three. Three years won't make a big difference later. Margaret and I regret not having a second child when Laura was that age. We had enough love to share, and we're sure it would have benefited Laura as she grew up. When my stepdad died, Laura and Kathryn, my daughter from my first marriage, really connected for the first time. Since then, Laura has regretted not growing up with Kat around, and I know having a sibling would have helped her socially more. So at least consider it.
Maybe other members can give you their updates, or introduce themselves to you.
Finally got back on here after taking a few years off. Thought I'd check in.