Ella is moving ahead slowly but surely. We would like to see faster development — but no one is asking us. The realization that all she is doing is happening two months after half her brain was removed, is always a source of amazement. Ella recently discovered the joys of water, she sits in our inflatable wading pool, she has already been to the lake, and a swimming pool. The activity there knocks her out but is thoroughly enjoyable. She kicks about, splashes and grabs at floating toys. Michelle takes her to aqua-therapy once a week and there they do slightly more structured exercises. Another recent discovery is that if she flings a toy to the ground we will usually pick it up and bring it to her. Ella is experimenting with this phenomena and is consistently fascinated by it. Progress has also been made in holding a bottle. She has managed (several times now) to hold a bottle (of the smaller variety) and finish its contents with no intervention from us. This is very encouraging. Mind you, it is all done with the right hand, there is no consideration for letting the left take part. Lastly, Ella experiments much more with vocalizing. For some reason the most expressive of these experiments happen while driving in the car. A whole variety of sounds are produced, screeches, yelps, humming. All with a smile on her face. Next week is our test case for real travel. We have been homebound for the past year, not daring to venture out for fear some complication in Ella’s condition would happen when we were away from Children’s Hospital. Well, next week we are going by train to Cleveland and back by air. If this all goes well, it will prove to us that travel is possible, we might try something more adventurous. Our picture of how Ella is doing changes wildly. When we are exposed to other kids we realize very painfully what Ella is not doing. Other times we are impressed with what she is doing. What makes this whole process easy (I am using the term ‘easy’ in a way very different than it is usually used) is that Ella is so wonderful. She is cheerful, accommodating, interactive and entertained which makes it fun to be with her.