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.

First the good.

They weighed Dylan today -- the first time since he was delivered. He weighed 2 pounds, 3 ounces more than he did 14 days ago. His blood chemistry -- oxygen, carbon dioxide, sodium, etc. -- look relatively good after two weeks of bouncing around.

The bad.

Another ultrasound on his head this morning showed continued traces of blood in his brain. It's in the same place it was a few days ago -- the ventricles. The doctor isn't worried that it will cause damage. The real problem is what is causing the bleeding. It's not supposed to happen after he's three days old.

Dylan came up negative for hemophilia -- so no royal blood lines here.

Combined with the utter lack of movement in his intestines, the doctors believe he might have a wound in his belly that's consuming the platelets needed to stop the bleeding in the brain.

Or, given that bacteria was found in an IV, it's possible he has an infection that's destroying the platelets. He's been pumped full of antibiotics and should be able to fend off any bacteria.

Bottom line, the doctors are baffled. He looks relatively healthy for his prematurity. Except for being born 3½ months early, he has suffered no trauma.

"It's upsetting," said the doctor who designed and is in charge of the NICU.

Oh great. If that's what the grand pooh-bah is saying, what must the other doctors think?

But like AndreeB says, "Nothing means nothing until it means something."

Very Yogi.

***

Hurray, Dylan is officially 14 days old!