A heartbroken mum is celebrating the short life of her precious "cheeky" son, who weighed only 705 grams when he was born prematurely at just 24 weeks.
Appearing only slightly bigger than his father's watch, Lorcan Michael O'Brien passed away in his mother's arms at Perth's Children's Hospital after fighting for seven months.
- Mother's sunscreen warning to parents
- Auckland toddler's fighting spirit after mum told not to resuscitate her
Nikki Daly and partner Ruairi O'Brien were told a number times their baby, dubbed "Little Fierce One", wouldn't survive after he was diagnosed with chronic lung disease at birth on May 13 this year.
"He was always doing the opposite to what the doctors said and never stuck to any of their plans," Ms Daly told Newshub.
After witnessing the miracle of her son's persistence to defy his prognosis, she is urging other mum's with premature babies to find hope.
"Keep going, never give up and please take each day as it comes. Always follow your gut instincts - you are your babies advocate.
"I researched heaps and asked lots questions and wrote all my questions down so I wouldn't forget."
In a post on Facebook following her loss, Ms Daly praised her son for bringing "so much joy" to an "absolutely shit situation".
"We will honour your memory little fierce one and live life to the fullest as you never know what awaits you at the blink of an eye."
Lorcan spent his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where his parents would visit every day until he died on December 4.
"Thank you for choosing us as parents, I hope we lived up to everything you could have hoped for in these short few months," Ms Daly wrote.
"We are beyond proud of you - love you sleep tight sweet angel of mine."
Lorcan's short life was filled with highs and lows, with Ms Daly never taking for granted the small wins.
Photos posted to her blog page reveal her happiness over bath-time, sleep-time and taking oxygen.
Ms Daly said the family want to honour their son's memory by getting involved in fundraising to give back to who has helped them over the past year.
More than $20,000 was raised to help the family get back on their feet as both parents are out of work.
After spending the best part of the year in hospital, their attention now turns to getting through this tough time with their three-year-old daughter Ariana and figuring out a new routine which includes embracing every moment.
"We want to enjoy life to the fullest now because you never know when life will blow up in your face," she said.
Newshub.
