Grieving Lauren Goodger has told how she found the strength to celebrate her daughter’s first birthday weeks after the death of her second child.
Tragically, baby Lorena died on July 8, two days after her birth, and Lauren has not yet revealed the cause publicly.
But she kept a candle lit for Lorena as she prepared for Larose’s birthday.
Former TOWIE star Lauren wrapped Larose’s presents in pink and filled her home with helium balloons spelling out the little girl’s name.
Lauren, 35, said: “My Lorena was with me in my heart the whole time with her candle lit.”
She said it had been a “very emotional evening for Mummy, but can’t wait to see my big girl in the morning”.
As a birthday treat, Lauren and the girls’ father Charles Drury, 24, yesterday took Larose to a farm to see the sheep and pigs and ride a mini train, much to the toddler’s delight.
A friend said: “Thank God Lauren has had Larose to give her the sense of purpose she needs to carry on through such unimaginable pain.
“The birthday celebrations were kept intimate for the closest members of their grieving family.
“They are also planning a bigger party where they will welcome friends and other children over to celebrate Larose’s birthday, which Lauren started planning while she was still pregnant with Lorena.
“She’s a brilliant mum, and we’re so grateful she has another life – another human – to focus on, which means you can’t go to dark places. It’s heartbreaking. No parent should ever have to go through what she’s going through.”
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On July 10, Lauren made the devastating announcement that her “beautiful healthy baby” had died very shortly after being born.
She said: “Words can’t describe as a mother losing your baby that I carried for all these months perfectly and gave birth to for my angel to be taken from me.
“There was no pregnancy or labour complications and she was fine and healthy, but I am not going into detail right now just know that there was nothing wrong with her or myself she was perfect I can’t understand it.
“I will never ever get over this, but I will learn how to live every day with Lorena in my heart.” Charles said of Lorena: “Your little heart will forever beat inside mine, I’ll love you until the end of time.”
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