Story
Our beautiful baby boy Oliver was born at 24.6 weeks weighing in at just 1lb 6oz. We were overjoyed but due to Covid only one of us could see him at a time, and it wasn't until six weeks later that we were able to hold and cuddle him for the first time. This was such a precious moment for us, and he overcame the odds and left NICU after 127 days, 27 days of which he spent on a ventilator. He was such a fighter: a stubborn little one from the beginning, and the nurses used to joke that they could hear Oliver before they could see him. He wanted all of our attention! He was such a little character and the nurses used to fight for cuddles. Oliver didn't mind though as cuddles were his favourite thing.
Eight months of his life he had suffered with severe acid reflux but always managed to smile and giggle away dancing around the house. We would start every day by telling Oliver, "Mummy and daddy love you so much you strong little boy. Our bright shining star; our little pickle bum. We will get through this together." We sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to him every day and would read the beautiful book, I love you to the Moon and Back.
Although we spent a lot of time in hospital we still made some lovely memories, and remember all those special little things Oliver used to do. We remember how he used to try and eat his rattle on his wrist, and how he loved chewing on his giraffe! We remember the first outfit his Irish nurse put him in, and a most precious moment was seeing him have cuddles with daddy.
We brought him home just before Christmas 2020 and it was the best Christmas present ever. We have some lovely memories from our time at home with Oliver, including when Oliver met nanny and grandad for the first time, and when daddy played with him on the sofa whilst he smiled and chatted. We would spend such lovely moments together for ages: going for walks as a family, bath times, putting on cute outfits, watching him bounce in his chair as he chatted away. Oliver was always in the best mood at 4am in the morning, sitting in his swaddle making funny faces and chatting with mummy.
Oliver would love it when you touched his sticky-up nose, perfect small lips and chubby cheeks, which made him smile so much, and every time we danced around the house to Disney songs our neighbour would see us, and we would brighten up her day. It was wonderful to just smell his hair, kiss his head and just hold hands and cuddle. Oliver had lovely long eyelashes, big ears and dimples on his knees. He had the most beautiful big, blue eyes, brown hair and a spot on his left cheek. Long nails like mummy, and long legs like daddy, and he was our perfect little boy.
These were the most precious of moments and memories and we made them every day, especially as we began to spend more and more time in hospital as we knew something just wasnt quite right but could never get to the route cause. Then, seven weeks ago, we received the most devastating news. Oliver had been diagnosed with mitochondrial disease, something completely unrelated to his challenging start in life. We were utterly broken. After his amazing fight to leave ICU we couldnt believe that we were now being told our child had an incurable, life-limiting condition.
We'd always hoped that our love for each other would get us through our challenges, then our hope was taken away by a disease that couldn't be cured. We knew we had to make every moment count, and make sure Oliver was as comfortable, happy and loved as he could be.
Sadly, Oliver lost his fight at just eight months old on April 13th 2021 with both his nanny, grandads, mummy and daddy by his side. The love in the room was overwhelming. Our special little boy had brought our family and friends so much closer together. It was as peaceful as could be in mummy and daddy's arms.
We have met some wonderful people throughout this upside-down journey and Oliver has touched the hearts of many. We've set up this page in memory of our beautiful boy to raise funds and awareness for this truly devastating, life-limiting and currently incurable disease.
Oliver, you have made mummy and daddy's hearts so full and made us stronger than ever. The love between us all will never go away. We miss you more than words could ever say.