Ella’s relationship with Netta has become more involved. There is a symbiotic control issue going on with Ella grabbing Netta and Netta playing along by staying close by and allowing it to happen even though she could easily avoid it by either moving away or by swatting Ella which she could easily do. Occasionally they role play by pretending they are both dogs and barking for a while. Then Netta will decide she is the Mommy doggie and take care of Ella. Quite cute. The speed at which Netta learns is an illustration to the contrast with Ella’s abilities. Ella was actually first in knowing most of the alphabet with Netta not really getting it. Then in one week it just snapped into place and Netta could rattle out the whole alphabet and name words for each letter. We are working with Ella still on the pronunciations of the letters, there are some she just cannot do (yet) ‘K’ or ‘G’ are really tough for her which is a pity because she cannot say Gaul’s name. There is such a huge satisfaction when Ella finally overcomes a hurdle. When she says a word or when she takes her first step unaided. There is such enormous pride in her expression too every time that happens. It’s a bit unfair, I guess. Netta achieves such amazing strides almost every day, building complex sentences in two languages or climbing up a jungle gym, or grasping a complex concept. We smile and tell her she is doing a good job. Then when Ella manages to stand 10 seconds alone we nearly explode with pride and encouragement. Maybe that is an advantage of having a special needs child grow with you. The near ecstasy of realizing achievement when it finally arrives (though it takes its sweet time getting here….) with normal (OK, typical as it is politically correct to say) kids there are so many achievements flying by, you nearly don’t notice them and wonder when this or that ability suddenly popped up.