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.

Except for a 20 hour period more than a week ago, Dylan has spent his life with a breathing tube down his throat. The other end has been connected to an oscillator, which vibrates the air in his lungs.

Today Dr. Rivera switched Dylan to a ventilator. He still has the tube down his throat, but the other end attaches to a smaller, more portable device.

If Dylan tolerates the ventilator, tomorrow they will move him downstairs for a three-dimensional MRI of his stomach. If he doesn't tolerate it, then the doctors will have to think of another way to get him down there.

The reason is they still don't know what's going on with his digestion. Worst case: A portion of his bowels may have twisted, lost blood and died, leaving a lump of necrotic tissue in his belly. This is probably unlikely, since he's not stressed.

He could have a deformed intestine or an inflammation. And inflammation can be treated pharmaceutically. A deformity can't.

Whether Dylan makes it to the MRI room tomorrow or not, Dr. Rivera cautioned that he probably will grow tired of the ventilator and need to be switched back to the oscillator.

But for now, no shaking baby.