So, back from a relaxing long weekend in Noosa, and news of Hazel. Of course!

On Saturday, she held her first objects, with encouragement. I won’t listen to any claims that we just shoved a toy into her hand, she actually grabbed it. Then she shook it about. OK? She’s interacting more, smiling more, recognising us and smiling about that too. Brain cells connecting, forming new patterns and so on. She’s talking more, and though the only word she can (almost) say is “hello”, that’s good enough for us.

Tonight, Sunday, she looked at my watch… with intent. Then she reached out for it, and for my arm. She wrestled with the hairs on my arm for a while… with intent. You can’t fake intent like that.