Visits continue with the mother. Mother expresses concern (via e-mail) about the judgment of medical professionals about her drug use (12/5) and I reassure here that this has never happened. We set up a website of photos of the baby that she can view anytime. Mother requests a letter from the pediatrician that she can use to apply for a Social Security Number (because she is unable to get hold of valid documents to do so). I redirect her to CPS.

Baby undergoes a comprehensive medical exam through a state facility. Resulting suggestions are rec’d in mid-January but have already been addressed.

We have a visit with the mother's maternal aunt who has a Christmas gift for the baby. The aunt notes that the mother is attending 6 group therapy session plus two Alcholics Anonymous meetings each week.

We send a clay handprint in a frame for her for Christmas. She sends us some soap and lotion. Baby comes home from Christmas visit with easily 3 large bags of gifts (this includes some from family). All are age-appropriate. I meet the mother at a Dec. 27 status meeting where she finds out (for the first time sober) that our state is a concurrent planning state and that our family is a backup plan for Cookie if the mother can't finish her case plan. The mother and I get to speak after the meeting and I assure her that we are not out to get her daughter; and that she should never let anyone convince her otherwise. I reminded her about how we'd gone to great lengths to ensure she knew her daughter's every detail and always had pictures. People "out to get" other people's children wouldn't do that. She hugged me and cried a little with relief and thanked me. She e-mails next day to thank me again and for our support. At some point prior to this a bonding assessment and/or psych evaluation related to parenting was done, but I do not get the results.

Mother starts purchasing items for when Cookie returns despite being told by CPS to focus on saving her money as it will be quite a while yet. Mother has an e-mail that states that the father will come back when he sees the baby is with her (12/7). I share with her that my sister-in-law enters rehab for drinking (she has post-partum depression from a birth in August).