Sidge Thank you, someone who talks sense! I thought I was going mad?! I shall contact our local-ish special school and ask about a baby group.
I've had a bit of a crappy day today. This morning I went to meet up with a couple of friends with babies the same age as Beatrice and whilst she slept the whole time, they sat in high chairs, eating finger foods, smiling, laughing and communicating with each other. We were all enjoying watching them, but one of the mums was very vocal about how clever they are, and how she can't wait for the two of them to be running around together and getting up to mischief, and how they will be best friends at school etc.
I was just sat there with nothing to say or any value to add to the conversation. Beatrice won't be running around with them will she? She won't talk and play and go to school with her friends. She won't have any friends, will she? It just felt so utterly shit. What have I got in common with these mums any more? I left feeling like a complete loser. And Beatrice just woke up and stared at me contentedly, like she does. She'll never understand what it means to run madly feeling the wind in her hair or laughing so hard her sides hurt and tears stream down her face. But on the upside, she'll never have her feelings hurt. She'll never know that other people have fun or feel sadness- to Beatrice, life will just be as it is. As it was the day she was born.
Her sole purpose in life seems to be to grow and be loved. I know I'm helping her do those things. But then people such as gingergran have said such lovely things as, "It is quite amazing how in her short life so far she has touched the hearts of so many people, most of us strangers, she has a very special gift." How astounding is that? This little girl who can 'do nothing' is teaching people new things, inspiring and changing lives. Slightly more powerful than your average 7 month old, hey?! 
So anyway, after this emotionally-charged morning I was looking forward to going to the hospice. The girls were so excited and had made lovely cards for their favourite sibling volunteer because they remembered she works on a Friday and Saturday. I'd just started packing Beatrice's things when I received a phonecall saying our stay has been cancelled due to an emergency case coming in. Obviosuly, I feel wretched for the family whose child needs the bed more than Beatrice, I pray they get the support they are going to need. Dds1 and 2 are going to be soooo mad at me when I tell them though. They were sad when our trip was cancelled a fortnight ago due to Beatrice going to A&E, so this will go down like a lead balloon. I'd better think of something else to do instead pretty quickly before I collect them from school, or I'll be public enemy number 1!!