First post, revised.

Some have commented (thanks Kelly) that my first post was a little bit of a bummer. My apologies. So, for the benefit of those who have not yet read my mass email that went out last week, here it is (in italics, with udpate following). It's a little bit more upbeat and gives more details:

"As some of you may already know, we have received our second son, Samuel "Sam" Timothy Ryan, into this world a little earlier than expected. Sam was born at 1:12 pm yesterday, July 22nd. He was 32 weeks and 2 days along. Thankfully, he was 4 lbs 1 oz, 17 1/4 inches long, and scored a 9/9 Apgar score. We're used to early babies (Jack, too, was a premi at 36.5 weeks) but 32 weeks is a shocker and cause for some concern. Sam was born naturally, and I was able to watch and then cut the cord. Even if you think you're going to be queasy, I recommend it to any daddy-to-be. (My experience was more like being in a Monty Python skit, but that's not important right now).

Sam is currently in an incubator being monitored by the St. Joseph's NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). The incubator is standard operating procedure, and they tell us he's holding his temperature well, so that's not an issue. His breathing is being assisted with the use of a CPAP machine (which some grown ups use to help with sleep apnea - it forces air down into the lungs to help them expand when the individual inhales) and they are feeding him through an IV at this time. The Neonatologist is very reassuring and explains everything to us in detail. Ashley has more questions than I do, simply because of her training, knowledge and experience. All I want to know is "when do we get to hold him and take him home?" At this stage, his lungs were not fully developed so he struggles a bit to breath, but he's not on a machine that forces him to breath, so that's better than the curve. In a few days they will try to start him eating normally (i.e. through a bottle), but "normally" babies don't learn how to suck, swallow and breath in concert until 34 weeks. However, when they are born this early, they generally develop faster since they have to "adapt" to the new environment. The body has to produce a protein that makes the lungs elastic. They are stiff and sticky at this point, making it hard for Sam to talk normal breaths. Best case scenario is him heading home in 15 days, but 30 days would not be surprising to them.

Ashley is doing well. She is recovering much faster than she did with Jack (who was c-section) and is up and about her hospital room and already getting bored. Its a much different experience from what we had with Jack since Sam is about 150 yards, three sets of doors, and a three-minute hand scrub/wash away. The St. Joes NICU is one of the best, if not the best, in the state, so we are relieved to know he's in their care. The nurses have been spectacular and overall the experience has been amazing.

Thank you for all of your thoughts, energies and prayers. Keep them coming. Sam is going to need all the help he can get to develop and be ready to head home to hang out with his big brother, Jack.

How's Jack? He's fine, but you can see him putting the pieces together in his head and realizing he's not the king of the castle any more. When he saw Sam for the first time, he remarked: "Small feet" and "Is that mine?" As we speak, he's enjoying some TV time and plowing through some Kix. He and I are going to be spending a lot of quality time together in the next few weeks, I imagine. If you have a burning urge to hang out with him, let me know. He is a bundle of laughs at this age. Watching kids grow up is amazing, as many of you know."

Since that time, we've been able to hold him, and he's now off all forms of breathing assistance and as of last night they stopped heating his bed to see if he can make his own warmth. They don't want him burning calories to make heat, so they may have to turn it back on. We hope not, since every step forward and off machines is one closer to getting him home.

I worked all weekend on the "office-to-nursery" conversion. Some good friends were benefactors of our old computer and some other stuff that we finally had to part with (we're in therapy for our pack-rat nature) and we still have an entire closet to clean out. But I put up some blackout shades on the windows and curtains on the french doors that lead into the room. I felt pretty manly drilling into our brick walls. It almost inspires me to do some renovations on the house (like new tile floors and such) but my psychoses (fear of getting it wrong) hold me back. I know a couple of good counselors, however (my in-laws).

Otherwise, life seems to move along as normal. I'm back at work today (although taking a few moments to bang this out) and Ashley is running around doing her "nesting" thing while Sam is still at the hospital. Current estimates are still 15-30 days before we get to bring him home, although tomorrow will be one week in the NyICU, so I keep trying to trim days of the 15-30 estimate. It all depends on him maintaining body temp, gaining weight and learning how to eat through a bottle and then breastfeed. We're visiting at least once a day, usually more, and the nursing staff has been amazing. They are very attentive and address any questions we have. They really seem to enjoy taking care of him, which makes life just that much easier for us, knowing he's in caring, capable hands. I would trade our hospital for one of the "spa-spitals" out in North Scottsdale any day of the week. With that said, had it been an uncomplicated, full term delivery, I'd rather have the jacuzzi tub, massages and comfy "partner" bed. [Footnote: Partner is the new politically correct term for the "other half" since "spouse/husband" or "father" aren't always correct any more. Next up: Mother and "Other."]

Again, thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, energies, flowers, gifts, food, hugs, calls, and volunteer time. We're blessed to have friends and family like you all.

I will update again soon. I might even con Ashley into using this as her journal so you can share in our progress. Either way, check back every couple of days to see what's new.

Yours,

TJR