Introductions -

A combined post today; for yesterday and today.  Yesterday we left the house at 6am and drove the hour to the FC's house to collect Raina and bring her home for the day. I think she remembered everything from her trip on Saturday because she seemed quite comfortable in the surroundings.  We had decided to stay in the house for this period of the introductions so Raina can get used to her new home.  She is only 2 so getting used to new objects and paraphernalia around the place is important for building the foundations for our relationship. She is learning where things are kept; what she is allowed to touch (and not) and how our home is run.  Yesterday we played together downstairs and upstairs, especially in her bedroom. We are telling her / asking her things like "where is Raina's room?" and "where is Raina's bed?" to reaffirm things for her. At the end of the day yesterday we took her back to her FC's house for us to bathe her and put her to bed.  She was excited to see her FC and the rest of her foster family and you could tell that she is confused by what's happening.  She cried when Mummy Hannah put her down to sleep. After about ten minutes there was a bang. The FC and Mummy Hannah went upstairs and Raina wa standing there, bold as brass, having just climbed out of her cot. Mummy Hannah told her off and put her back in her cot. The FC says she's never done that before. Maybe a sign that she is aware that something is going on.   The thing with the introductions is that you find yourself so tired, ironically it almost means you can't play with the child. This is by far the most draining thing either of us has ever done.  Hannah was asleep by 10pm and snoring her head off and I was not far behind. Up again this morning at 5am and at the FC house for 7:15am. Stayed a short while then set off to drive home. Getting stuck in a traffic jam made the hour journey into a 2 and three quarters journey in a boiling hot car.  This really tested poor little Raina who got really fed up. She also knows how to open her car seat - well done Britax.  Blooming heck; so much to think about with a toddler!!! We had a good day; getting used to the tantrums!!!(wow, the joys of toddlerhood!! - you can see her getting frustrated because she can't say what she wants and relying on us to know what she is saying is a big ask!) We took Raina back to her Foster Carers this evening. The FCs eldest daughter was there with her young daughter who is similar in age to Raina. They are all very sad about Raina leaving and have given us presents and photos for Raina to look at when she wants to look at them all.  We have just put up the stair gate and need to put Rainas bed guard on her bed. She is used to sleeping in a cot and we have got her a bed; it'll be interesting to see how she settles into sleeping in her new home. I'm washing the new waterproof sheet for her bed tonight. We are advised by everyone to wash her things in the same washing powder as the FC; to help her with the transition.  Thank God it is non-bio. Tomorrow we are collecting Raina at 7:30am and will be returning to the FC's for the review meeting at 4pm. Can't believe that she has one more sleep at the FC's...