We made it back to the U.S. in one piece (although two Palestinian suicide bombers killed over 20 people in Tel Aviv the morning we left). Ella was fine on the way back. I think all in all she enjoyed traveling with us and seems to have made some significant progress (see pictures…). She seems to be stronger while sitting and of course, now she is starting to have some baby-talk vocabulary. She loved playing in the pool in Eilat. She splashed vigorously and had a smile on her face the whole time she was in the water. Sometimes she appeared overwhelmed by so many new faces like when we visited all Etan’s father’s side of the family the day before we left. Of course, Ella can always concentrate on her toys. In any case, whenever she focuses on us– Gaul, Etan and me — she looks happy and content. On the plane ride back, Ella slept most of the time. I think the trip home was easier than the trip going. Well, when the endpoint is your own crib with your own musical mobile overhead the world is a happy place. Now Ella truly is a world traveler and impressing her therapists with all her worldly experience…