Lara

Well the last time I saw Lara was December 16^th, what a lot of her growing up I have missed.  She is a lovely little baby, quiet until she’s sure of her surroundings, then makes her baby sounds and is fascinated by lots of things.  

She was so easy to hold and kiss, which I did all the time as much as I could.  Like I told the women there (Sarah, the social services bird and Caroline, the foster carer) I’ve got a lot of missed kisses to make up for.    I took her some clothes and a teddy but she was more interested in the Fisher Price shapes butterfly that I got her – well the box - she happily tapped away on it for ages.  and then played with the pieces after we moved to a nice shady area in the park where we could sit on the grass.  

There was a Thrush near us, who came almost up to our hands, he was so unafraid of humans.  She was fascinated with him too and made sounds at him like mmnm and mmgnmm  ... she is strong and sits nicely by herself.  She eats banana, you give her a piece and she just gums away at it to her hearts content, in fact you have to watch her else she tries to pig out on it.   She is eating very well and is a happy little child.  

It was such a joy to see her and I’m amazed that I didn’t cry, I think I was just too absorbed in holding her and watching her.   She was so sweet when I said bye bye, wriggling and laughing - the last photos on the video of her is when I was going and Caroline held her up for me to take a few more photos.  I really hope I get to see her again soon and that all of you, her extended family here in the UK, can also get to see her while she is so young and responsive.