Lauren Goodger was determined to celebrate her daughter Larose’s first birthday on Tuesday, just over a week since announcing her second child, Lorena, had tragically died shortly after birth.
The devastated former TOWIE star, 35, told fans she felt “Lorena is in my heart” as she spent a “very emotional” Monday night wrapping presents. Taking to Instagram, Lauren documented her preparations before sharing a sweet clip showering Larose with hugs and kisses as the tot woke up for her first birthday, reports the Daily Mirror.
She wrote: “Just wrapped Larose’s presents and my Lorena was with me in my heart the whole time with her candle lit... very emotional evening for mummy but can’t wait to see my big girl in the morning.”
Lauren shared the moment Larose saw a huge array of balloons for the first time, as well as the mound of presents. The television personality exclaimed: “wow” as she coaxed her little one to explore the gifts laid out on the floor.
Lauren is said to be seeing her daughter Larose as a “ray of light” after Lorena’s death.
Lauren and her boyfriend Charles Drury are “completely devastated” and are being supported by those closest to them.
“She’s going through the biggest trauma of her life and she’s completely devastated, grief is a very up and down process - one day she’ll be fine, and the next she’ll be beside herself,” a source close to the couple told Closer magazine.
“Her friends and family are rallying around her and she’s lucky to have close inner circle regularly checking in on her. Sometimes she wants to speak, sometimes she doesn’t.
“They’re managing between the two of them and lavishing love on Larose, she really is the ray of light getting Lauren through all of this. She’s pulling her through and staying strong for her.”
The pal added Lorena’s death was complete shock for Lauren, who never expected “something this horrible would happen to her”.
They said the television personality is bowled over by the support she has received and hopes to help those who have gone through similar experiences in future.
Lauren’s representatives have been appraoched for comment.
Lauren shared the heartbreaking news of her daughter’s death in a statement on Instagram.
She shared a black and white photo of her newborn’s hand holding hers and wrote: “Lorena R.I.P 08.07.22 she was the most beautiful healthy baby I’ve ever seen just like her sister @babylarose.
“… words can’t describe as a mother losing your baby that I carried for all these months perfectly and gave birth too for my angel to be taken from me”.
Lauren explained: “There was no pregnancy or labour complications and she was fine & 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 she is so so beautiful Larose twin so similar.. I am broken”.
She added: “I am back home from hospital Me & Charlie spent as much time with our baby girl Lorena and I haven’t said my goodbye yet.
“I will never ever get over this but I will learn how to live everyday with Lorena in my heart she will be with me always and I will be with her again one day … My Lorena I love you so much”.
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