Today is Friday. Today is THE day. Today is the day that our miracle fully arrives.


Ryan Walker Long is coming home today.


More pix and thoughts from this most blessed of all days, later... today.

Posted by: Paul @ 12:54 PM

This may be the most effort I've ever given to the first line of a blog. Nothing bad has happened, as a matter of fact the news has been astoundingly good. The last post offered a lament about a lost deal. Well, the deal went way south... but the owners showed remarkable compassion and have allowed me to continue marketing their extraordinary home in Arvida's Victoria Park. The settlement would have been sweet, but the prospect of no compensation AT ALL was jarring. I'm reinvigorated to provide the best of service to these kind folks, and hey... if you're open to the idea of a custom built home on the golf course, my number's all over this page!

Ryan Walker Long is sans tubing of any sort. He is 4 lbs., 15 oz, and is going through mother's milk faster than Ted Kennedy goes through Chivas. The daily dose of caffeine, to prevent apnea,has been discontinued. Yesterday we started hearing rumblings from the nurses. They said it might happen as soon as this weekend. That's right, our boy might be celebrating Memorial Day with mommy and daddy.

Now for the "other shoe" portion of our program. We are ill-prepared. Our sprinkler system is misfiring, and our once-beautiful lawn looks like downtown Beirut. The rooms we thought would be painted are still a muddled composition of faux and faux pas. The carpet needs either a thorough steam cleaning or a creative dye job, and there is enough clutter from three months of on-the-fly living to choke a pig. Calgon, take me away!

Did I just write that?

One more week of Broker's Pre-Licensing school, then two days of review and a three hour exam just to pass the class. Then it's a long wait for the Dept. of Business and Professional Regulations to contact me for a state exam date. Hopefully, all of this will be put to rest by the middle of June. Then I'll demand to be addressed as "that Broker guy." Pray for my mind to be agile and to compartmentalize my desire to see Ryan. He'll be at home with mommy just loving on him to no end, while I'll be trying to figure out the difference between current ratios and ongoing concerns. Gimme strength, oh mighty one!

Before I start blubbering right here, I'll present you with the latest from the Special Care wing of Florida South Hospital. Thanks to all who've been so vigilent with their prayers and support. We couldn't have come this far without you.

Until... whenever.


Here are a series showing Agnes King (aka "Granny Ag") doting over our boy. Next to the word "unflappable" in the dictionary is a flattering portrait of Agnes. She's been a rock during all of this, and we'll never be able to fully thank her for such unwavering support.

These next two are variations on a previous theme, but to not publish them would be criminal.

He sometimes presents a modicum of resistance to feedings, but with a bit of coaxing... it all ends well.

A bird's eye view of our son's focus and determination during this most important of rituals.

Look at this showboat! He's already got an eye for the camera. He definitely likes to be draped over a shoulder, or nuzzle against a chest, or under a chin (in this case, a hideous, goiter-like double chin.)

Mother cannot keep from kissing and loving on him. She is keenly aware of his moods and preferences, as any highly-trained observer would be. Sometimes, though... the enormity of his presense is all too much for even her.

Thought this was a cute shot, during one of his feedings... he likes to kick it up a notch.

This was taken during his first night free of any facial encumberances.

And, finally... the unveiling. Devoid of any attachments which make him look like an extra from "Apollo 13," a full view of our son's countenance.

Ain't life grand?

Posted by: Paul @ 12:58 AM