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.

It's been a tiring day.

Dylan is fine. He has an infection. A common skin bacteria worked its way into an IV. That is most likely the cause of his low platelets, which may be why the tiny injury in his brain isn't clotting properly. Or it might not. Who knows. But he's on antibiotics.

Today while I was visiting the hospital with my mom, an alarm sounded. Three nurses were taking a sterile blood sample from Dylan when it happened and for a moment I thought it was because of him. No. It's the Labor and Delivery emergency broadcasting network -- meaning another NICU baby was on the way.

The three nurses dropped what they were doing and sprinted out the door only to return a few minutes later. False alarm. Luckily, they had just finished taking the sample and didn't need to repeat the process.

The entire visit with my mom was exhausting. It seemed the whole time we were there Dylan was poked and prodded. His blood-oxygen levels dropped and he looked very uncomfortable.

Andrea and I returned later after her post-surgical check-up with the OB. She passed the exam. Dylan was doing better this evening. His ventilator was turned down but his oxygen remained high.

Andree posted some pictures of him here.