Screw Steady Progress - get yourself a few Tezzeret's Gambit instead.  Losing instant speed is lousy, but the extra draw and malleable cost is wonderful.  I'd also suggest a Contagion Engine, as opposed to Inexorable Tide, unless you hike up your draw power a bit.  It's more expensive, but you don't have to worry about the mana spread, or about having spells to cast - not to mention the fact that you can start using proliferate against your opponents as well as boosting your creatures.  And, of course, there's always Master Biomancer for the initial counter boost, maybe as an alternative to Rhythm of the Wild (unless you're using it for haste) or some of your other creature options.