Croeso i Gymru Tedi! (Welcome to Wales Teddy!)

13/10/11 – I arrived in Wales on Mummy Nia’s birthday....a very nice surprise for her and the rest of the Lewis family – Daddy Aled, and children Elain, who’s 5 years old and Siôn, who’s 2 and a half years old!! I was rather confused to start with as they seemed to be talking a different language to what I've heard before, but soon realised that they were talking Welsh with each other and with me and soon got the hang of it!!

14/10/11 – I went to visit Year 1 and 2 at Ysgol Gynradd Bethel (Bethel Primary School) where Elain goes to school today and she introduced me to her classmates and Miss Jones, her teacher. Miss Jones told the story of when Elain was born and all about NAIT (the edited version!) and also used the locations where NAIT families live to look at the globe and find out where they all were. I really enjoyed my time at the school and the children were really kind.

15/10/11 – Elain took me to her dance class this morning with Angylion Kelly (Kelly’s Angels)....all the children liked me! (Elain seen holding the Teddy, and Siôn stayed for the photo too!)

15/10/11 – It was a gloriously sunny day here in Wales today, so whilst Elain was dancing, Siôn took me up to the local park...

and on the way back down home, we passed a farm and saw some sheep!....

16/10/11 – Elain took me to her friend’s birthday party today (photo of Elain, Alaw and Lois at the party)...and on the way, we went to see Snowdon....Elain and her friend Alaw can be seen outside Snowdon Mountain Railway.

18/10/11 – I got a very special ride today in the back of Mummy Nia’s car where I was helping to promote NAIT.....

20/10/11 –Siôn took me to Meithrinfa Ffalabalam (Ffalabalam Nursery) today and I had lots of fun with all the children. I had lots of fun playing with Sam Tân (Fireman Sam), Siôn’s favourite toy, I got to play in the sand, and I even had a go at painting! I had a lot of yummy food too, and even had seconds....the nice Aunties at the nursery gave me my own plate and I got to sit with Siôn and his friends round the table! Siôn even got his face painted like a tiger....I wanted a go too but thought it might be rather difficult to wash off so I had fun watching all the other children!

21/10/11 – I went to Conwy County Borough Council today where Mummy Nia works....whilst I was there I had a go at simultaneous translation......I thought this was really cool because whenever somebody speaks Welsh in the Council Chamber, Mummy Nia and the other translators translates it to English for the non-Welsh speaker!

I also helped promote another charity today (Breast Cancer Awareness) when I purchased a raffle ticket and won a cake!!!

22/10/11 – I went with Elain and Siôn to Gelli Gyffwrdd (Greenwood Forest Park - http://www.greenwoodforestpark.co.uk/) today, and I went to read poetry in Cerrig y Cerddi / Poets’ Corner just like my poem says I would!

I also got to go on the Moon Karts, the Great Green Run, the Tree Top Towers and played in the Little Forest Playbarn.

Whilst I was there, I also had my picture taken by the World’s Biggest Love Spoon!!

I was tired by the time we got to the Tunnel Warren, so after a quick go on the slide with Siôn,I had a little rest in Sion’s buggy.

24/10/11 – I visited a very special place today – SCBU and Alaw Day Unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd (Gwynedd Hospital) where both Elain and Siôn were born. Both had been in SCBU after they were born and Mummy Nia had IVIG at Alaw Day Unit when expecting Siôn. I took a box of chocolates to both Wards and met some of the staff. Mummy Nia couldn’t believe there was nearly 3 years since she had started her transfusions with Siôn, neither could the staff...

25/10/11 – I visited Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch today.... This village has the longest place name in Europe and one of the longest place names in the world...

29/10/11 – Elain and Siôn were very sad when Mummy Nia packed me up in my box ready to go to visit Senen Loy and family today, but Elain and Siôn had a special message for me when I was leaving Wales.....”Diolch am rannu dy amser efo ni Tedi / Thank you for sharing your time with us Teddy!!

NAIThaniel (Nait bears twin brother) has a HUGTASTIC time at the Oxford Half Marathon!

Hi all!! Let me introduce myself, as NAIThaniel :) I am Nait bears twin brother!! (Older by 3 seconds and very much wiser! Hehe!!)



I got a phone call from Nait just the other week and he was in a bit of a muddle!! He was visiting with his friends Gillian and Archie, but he had heard there was a fantastic man called Mike Murphy running the Oxford Half Marathon to raise awareness for Naitbabies. Nait asked me could I please pop along and provide support and Bear Hugs for all. How could I resist the opportunity to meet such amazing people!!!


My friends Stacy, Thea and Jack made me feel very welcome, and got loads of cuddles with Lulu the doggy.















Finally the day of the Oxford Half Marathon came! I was so excited to hear that Clair, Becky and Sue were coming along to meet us!! We had great fun while we were waiting for the race to take place!
















We waited nervously at the finish line for Mike!! And suddenly he appeared and gave me a huge hug! I was so proud of him for running such a long race!

















He really is a great guy! And I had a wonderful time with such an inspirational group of ladies! You never know where I might appear next.... :)

Nait Bare(!) in Bradford

Hi everyone!

Well, I've had another busy week with the Magee family in Bradford. We've been handing out so many awareness cards and chatting to people about NAIT and our super website.

Firstly, we took a trip to the toy library at St Lukes Hospital. This is a wonderful library for children with additional needs. Not only do they loan sensory toys and books but they have play sessions and coffee mornings and also arrange trips for children and their parents/carers. Like Naitbabies.org the library is a non-profit organisation which relies on donations and fundraising. The staff here are so kind and helpful, here's me with Michelle.












I then joined in a hydrotherapy session with Archie and his friends, which he goes to every week at St Lukes Hospital. Everyone had a wonderful time splashing about, singing and playing games! I got to meet some of Archie's friends who were all lovely!

Then I went to the VI Playgroup with Archie and his mummy where they go every fortnight. It is a playgroup specifically for children with visual impairment so the toys are perfect for the children and they also have access to a sensory room. Here's me with Archie, his friend Miriam, the wonderful Joanne (far left) who is also Archie's portage worker and Jayne.

I wanted to be clean and sweet-smelling ready for my next trip, so mummy Gillian gave me a good wash and then I basked in the sunshine to dry. I made sure I kept my dignity by using one of our fabulous awareness cards!

Well, the time has come for me to say goodbye to Bradford and the Magee family. I've had a wonderful time and hope to return again sometime. But now I look forward to continuing my journey just a few miles up the road to Leeds to meet another family affected by NAIT.

Lots of love and bear hugs xxxx

With the Magees......

Hello everyone! Well I arrived safely in Bradford, West Yorkshire and so far am having a lovely time with the Magee family. I had a wonderful cuddle with Archie when I first arrived. He could not wait to show me all his toys, especially his new bubble tube!

I was made to feel very welcome by everyone, including Winnie, Eeyore & Tigger! And I have had so many cuddles from Mummy Gillian!

I have been lucky enough to go on holiday with the Magees, Archie, Mummy Gillian, Daddy Scott, Grandma Linda & Grandad David. We have stayed at a lovely cottage with it's own lake in Cumbria. Here's me at our lake. I also found an interesting seat to perch on at Kirkby Stephen.

I had a day trip to Kendal where I helped make pizzas and then gorged myself on sweets and chocolate!!

I had a long walk up to Kendal Castle and enjoyed looking at the views.

After all this Archie and I had a well deserved rest!

I have a few more days with the Magees in Bradford before I move along on my travels. I can't wait to see what else we get up to and will blog again shortly. Love to you all. Thanks for following.

I've had so much fun with the Livingstone's that I have saved it all up for one long story (well, not too long).

I arrived and was carefully unwrapped by two lovely children, Ellie and Oliver. They decided to share my time between them and so I got to spend half my sleeps with Ellie and half with Oliver. They were both very cuddley and kind children and took me everywhere with them.

We acted as special agents at their holiday club where I was guest of honour. I was introduced by Captain Tim and all 100 children said 'hello' to me - I felt very special!

I was lucky enough to be invited to Ellie's tenth birthday party and boy did we have fun! There was a Mars bar fondue which was delicious, hair crimping (I wasn't up for that as I didn't want to get singed!), music, mayhem and makeup - what a tiring day.

We had a trip to Pizza Hut, a sleepover with friends, a ride on a pony and I was privileged to meet Jason's bear.

When Jason went to heaven through this awful disease, he left his Mummy a teddy to hold and always remember him. His teddy misses him, too.

It was time to say goodbye and I shall carry on raising awareness and look forward to meeting our next dear family. I am hopping in my box, closing my eyes and winging my way northwards...

See you soon x