when I started this blog five years ago, I was a pet sitter and the name animal-crackers made sense. now I'm a stay-at-home-dad and freelance writer, but rather than confuse everyone by getting a different blog, it's just easier to keep posting things here.

Dylan is still ok -- which is great. Every hour helps. Last night the NICU respiratory doctors tried to decrease his ventilator to test his lungs. At first, they seemed to do well. But then his blood-oxygen levels fell and they had to increase the ventilation again. So it's going to be a while before his lungs can work on their own.

Josh and I made a surprise visit to Andrea at 9:30 last night. She was a wreck. The post-partum hormone changes are really hurting. And it's worse since she can't see Dylan. Her fever is dropping slowly, but still hasn't fallen below 99 degrees.

We didn't stay long, but it was a great visit. We played with a bag of miniature Reese's cups on the bed. It's amazing what will entertain a 3-year-old.

Josh had been feeling better last night when we saw Andrea, but he woke this morning with a 100-degree temperature. No projectile vomiting, but lots of sinus congestion and coughing. Because of that we couldn't see Andrea this morning.

In an hour, however, a friend is coming to watch Josh and I'll go visit. I'm worried I won't get to see Dylan having been exposed to Josh's bug.

Thanks everyone for your warm thoughts and encouraging words.