Ellie Finds Her Voice

Dear Ellie,

I'm happy to say that you are finally making progress in the area which you've had the most trouble: vocalization.  Granted, while it sounds like you still smoke 6 packs of cigarettes a day, you are successfully making "vowel sounds," especially the "Ooooo's."  What's more, you are attempting to also mimic the sounds that we are making, as well.  Now that you have that milestone under your belt, you are ahead of your cohort in most way, developmentally.  Each time I think some new milestone is another week or two out, you surprise us.  You are even sleeping for long stretches at night.  We've taken you off of rice cereal almost entirely because your reflux isn't nearly as bad as it used to be.  There are a few problems here and there, but they are pretty much falling into normal baby territory.

Curiously, I saw two full term babies the other day who were exactly your adjusted age of 2 months and a week, and I was amazed by how different you were from them.  I don't want to brag or anything (actually, yes I do!) but you seem like such a jovial, astute, and attentive baby in comparison.  It's remarkable, but there are times when I regularly forget all of the things you've been through.  Just a few months ago, I used to see so much uncertainty when I looked ahead, but now I'm becoming reacquainted with all of the things I had imagined for our future.  It's strange feeling that way again.  It's like encountering an old friend I thought I'd never see again.