Happy Christmas Kids xxxx

Photo shoot photos.

Christmas Presents

Hi Ruby & Miles,

I called today to leave your presents at june sherlocks house, and as I usually do have photos today is no exception!

The pirate piggy bank is for miles the princess pig for ruby. The tin cars for miles and the clip on moisturisers for ruby. Hope you like them. xxxxxxxxx Daddy xxxxxxxxxx

Good Morning Kids,

I thought I'd let you know more about Louis. We subscribe to a charity that helps children like Louis, they are called TOF.ORG. Recently the charity asked us to write about Louis story to be published in the charities magazine. Here is his story.

Louis’Story

Louis was born on the 17^th May 2010 to the sound of Van Morrison’s ‘Brown Eyed Girl’. The 20 week scan didn’t give us any clue as to what to expect when our bundle of preciousness made it into the world. And although he sounded a little chesty at birth, we were told by the theatre staff that this was a natural consequence of the caesarean birth. His nail beds and lips were tinged with a blueness which remained all day and when he fed it came back through his nose each time. It wasn’t until later that same evening when following much investigation we were asked to come up as the doctors needed to speak with us in the Neonatal ICU. We were ushered into a room and told to sit down; they told us that Louis had what was called a TOF and that an emergency operation is needed. We signed the consent forms and went back downstairs to our room with the fresh Polaroid photo they took of him before he went to theatre. We did not speak for 4 hours such was the shock.

Louis had what seemed like a dozen pipes coming outof him as he lay in his Perspex cot in the NICU dept of Hull Royal Infirmary.We were told he was doing fine and that the operation went well as the gap was short and as such the repair was fairly straight forward. We so wanted to hold and cuddle, him but we could not. This was to be the case for the next 4 weeks;it was heartbreaking for us and we never left his side. But despite his even getting Horners Syndrome (a condition relating to damage to the nerves controlling the eyelids and encountered during his initial operation) and suffering a collapsed lung due to a less than careful nurse accidentally dislodging his chest drain, he managed to go from strength to strength. Following another couple of weeks on the mainward of the Neonatal unit we bought our sunshine boy home with us.

Louis has had four dilatations which all went very well and all were performed within the first six months. Since then he has been checked but deemed ok for the time being. Louis’ doctors say that it is likelythat he will need further dilatationsbut certainly not right now. Incidentally, the surgeon who performed Louis’repair was a certain Sanja Besarovic: of course we knew nothing of this lady before the 17^th May 2010 but since then we have come to know her not only for her quite astonishing skill as a surgeon but also for her story of having to flee war torn Sarajevo smuggled inside the trunk of a car, but then going onto become this counties most accomplished and respected paediatric surgeons. Itseems that in a bizarre way we were lucky to be living in the same city where she practiced. Louis does get to see his surgeon regularly at his TOF Clinic sessions.

Development Issues

When Louis was over 1 year old we noticed that Louis sometimes seemed a little withdrawn and this only seemed to get worse. Sometimes we wondered if Louis even knew we were in the house or indeed thesame room. Other things gave us cause for concern about Louis’ development; he never pointed or gestured that he was hungry or thirsty like other children his same age, all the time he seemed to be withdrawing more and more into himself. He never responded to his name and would not give us any eye contact. We decided to seek professional help and now, following months of seeing specialists and his undergoing tests etc Louis is getting the help he needs in developing the social and communications skill that he needs. Louis regularly receives Portage sessions at home and at the local childrens centre and is doing well.He also started preschool in September and is funded for one to one care within the preschool. Louis’ one to one is a wonderful lady that genuinely cares for him and has definitely fallen for the Louis charm!! We think that on reflection it is the decision to have Louis start preschool a year early that is perhaps one of the best things we could have done for him to aid his development. Now we get all the eye contact we ask for and he points to what he wants (sometimes) like food, and responds fully to his name albeit when he wants to!

Louis has recently been subject to the rather gruelling Griffiths Assessment which is designed to give a clearer more defined picture of any developmental delay issues, and will illuminate the path or paths available for us to ensure that Louis receives the very best of care and help in order for him to achieve the goals for a normal 3 - 4 year old when the time comes. We are, as we write this, awaiting the results of that assessment.

Paediatricians are not yet sure as to the reasons why Louis is suffering developmental delay in some areas. It is possible thatthis delay could have been caused by early life trauma; I mean, heaven knows how the operation must have seemed for him at the time, as if being born isn't traumatic enough.

In the early days we read much about the TOF condition and also of what to expect of your TOF child in terms of food and eating. But for the most part Louis seems to buck the trend on the food issue.Yes, he does get the odd thing stuck and yes he is sick many times but it doesnot seem to diminish in any way his love of food. Now he has all of his teeth we think that he must see all types of food as a challenge for him! Give himanything and he’ll eat it, or at least have a very good go at it. It was this summer in a burger joint on holiday in Turkey that we discovered his penchant for cheeseburgers (with fries and a coke). Of course we love that he loves food and hope that it continues all his life.

Louis does seem more inclined than other children to chest infections and we read that this is not out of the norm for TOF kids,even our GP knows the drill and now has too got used to discerning thedifference between a normal Louis chest sound and one with an infection, it's now easy for him to distinguish between his normal slightly raspy sound and the gravely chest infection sound we too often get.

Encouraging outlook

Louis is hopefully on the road to a more or less full recovery TOF-wise, we hope. As for his other development issues, well, weare doing our best with him at this time and can do no more, we just hope thatwill sort itself out as he grows up more. We found out about the TOF Charity very quickly and registered on their website, and we find the CHEW magazine to be a wealth of information. It has been a constant source of hope and inspiration to both of us over the months and years. The TOF Facebook forum page has also been of particular help and interest for us also. We intend to become even more involved with events in the future

Near to Christmas

Hi kids, been thinking about you both lots as usual but have not written for a while to you both. I guess I've been really busy with Louis, he takes up a lot of our time at the moment.

I wonder what you both look like now, Ruby I think you will be looking all grown up - you always wanted to be. Miles, I bet you are becoming so bloody handsome now with all the girls trailing after you. I hope that you both think of your dad from time to time and know that you are loved from afar. Even though we don't see each other at all.

Louis likes the music from The Lion King just like you did when you were babies, I play it in the car for him and he kicks his legs along with it. He also loves Gangnam Style as well!!

Louis is also going to be photographed for a well know high street retailer this next week and we are so excited about that. And all from a chance meeting in York in the summertime this year. Here are some recent photos of him.
Love you both dearly

Daddy xxxxxxxxxxx
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Daddy's contact information

As I said in my previous post I would update you on my contact details, so here goes.

Email - mostynwitham@gmail.com or mostynwitham@hotmail.com
Mobile - 07402 099335
Skype - mostynjulianwitham
Msn - mostynwitham@hotmail.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/mostynwitham

Happy Birthday Ruby xxxxxx

Happy birthday sweetheart! You are now officially a teenager... Danger!! Only kidding. I'm wondering what you'll be doing today to celebrate, what ever you do I hope that you have lots of fun doing it.
I miss you and Miley loads and loads and think of you both every day. Sometimes it makes me cry. I wonder what you look like now, I bet you look really pretty and everso grown up.

I'm sorry that I haven't written to you for a while, much of my time is taken up with Louis these days and whatnot but you are both ever present in my thoughts.

I wanted you to be updated with all mu contact details so following this post I will post them again for you both although they haven't changed since the last time I posted them. If you want to call me I'll be there for you both. If you want instead to write an email to me, again I'll be there for you both.

This week Louis started Nursery and has taken to it very well all the nursery staff love him to bits and can't bear to part company at the end of the session!! I love going to collect him as when I appear his face lights up and he smiles from ear to ear and comes running over to me. I remember you doing the same Ruby, and Miles too.

We have just last week returned from holiday we had a lovely carefree two weeks just relaxing in the sunshine. William and I went scuba diving a couple of times during the holiday and we also went on a buggy safari up in the mountains. You would have loved it and if I had been able I would have taken you both as well. Louis loved it and has a really good tan!! The locals loved him and were always giving him a 'high five'.

It is one o clock in the morning right now so I'm going to be quick now as sleep beckons. I have yet to get you birthday present but have a plan tomorrow! We're off to meadow hall in Sheffield (do you now it??) so I will be able to get you a fantastic present there.

Louis in holiday posing mood!!

Animation

Dad & Louis

Louis

Louis in the Park

Cute.

Louis enjoying a meal al fresco on holiday

Louis update

Hi Kids,
Just a short note to let you know whats been happening. Louis is now very nearly two years old and is growing into a handsome boy (like his daddy! :) I have included some recent photos for you both. He is going to start nursery very soon this year, he's already been there to see if he likes it, and he did. there will be lots of new friends for him to make there. Can you remember the first time you both went to nursery? I can. Kelly and I are very well and so are William & Joseph. William is about to go to Grammar School this year and Joseph will Start Sixth Form at the same time.

I am very busy at this time with work and that is the main reason why I have not written for a while but will try to keep it more regular from now. 

I hear that you have now started at new schools in Sheffield. That's a long way to go in a morning!!! I do hope that you have both settled in fine and made lots of new friends again.

Louis is very mischievous sometimes; he is always sneaking off somewhere and playing hide and seek. And he is a really good climber - he climbs all over the place!

You can see his crazy curly hair in this photo.

Ok Kids, I'm going to sign off for now.  Please know that I love you both so very much and that I think of you every day and night.

See you later Daddy

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Happy Birthday Miles xxxx

Hello Miles, Happy Birthday to you Son.

I gave june sherlock your presents yesterday, she took them from me. Your Grandma & Grandad Witham have sent you money again but I don't think you will get it as you have not had any of the money they have sent to you before now. But you are in their thoughts and I know they are in yours.

These are the gifts I bought you for your birthday I hope that you like them. I thought it would be a nice change to have old fashioned games to play instead of the normal types that always need batteries. I miss you loads Miles, I will see you some day though as a father and son can never be parted for ever. I know that you  will think the same.

Love you

Your Christmas Presents 2011

Hello Babies,

Dad here again to let you know what it was that I bought you both for Christmas as I am not sure as to whether or not you have had them. Miles first;

Miles, I thought you would like to be a helicopter pilot so this is one you can fly in the house! Above that is a photo of the card that I sent with it. The really good thing about this gift is that it also fires missiles too! Attached to each side are missile holders, all you do is hover near to the target, make sure its steady then using the two buttons on the controller - fire!!

Now Ruby;

Ruby, I bought you a wonderful thing. It is a rainbow maker, you stick it to the window in your bedroom and the sun catches the crystals which is turned by the sun into beautiful rainbows inside your room. I hope you like it and your card.

Below is a photo of your gifts in their wrapping paper.

Anyway Babies, Have a wonderful 2012

All my love Daddy.
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