Ayva May was born on 21st of August 2010 at 6.36am. Ayva didn't cry when she was born which didn't phase me to much as my eldest daughter didn't either but i knew something just wasn't quite right. She was nt feeding well i had to push the bottle in her mouth for her to feed and even then she wasnt feeding well. I kept telling the midwives something was wrong as she still hadnt opened her eyes but they reassured me sometimes babies were sleepy after the birth. We were sent home the next day where we were able to spend the night as a family of four i was the happiest mummy alive! The next day Ayva still hadnt opened her eyes or cried so i rang the midwife and when she arrived she told me to take her straight into the hospital as she was floppy and jaundice. They put her straight under a UV light and i thought she would be fine within a few hours. She wasnt she got worse and before i knew it she was on a breathing machine. We were then informed at 4 in the morning that she needed to be on a proper ventilator (Life support machine) and would have to be transfered to Alderhey childrens hospital. After numerous awful tests that she had to go through she was diagnosed with Non-Ketotic Hyperglycemia. I remember asking the doctor will she survive he said 'No'. He told us we needed to switch the life support machine off and told us that she would only live for an hour maximum. Ayva thought different and carried on breathing and we were able to take her home which was amazing! Ayva's condition meant she had seizures throughtout the day and needed 10 different medications every 4 hours. She also had to be tube fed which she later went on to have a gastrostamy. We had 17 months with Ayva which was amazing every single day the doctors told us she would never open her eyes but she did he told us she would never cry but she did and he told us she would never eat anything orally but she did. Ayva did everything they said she wouldn't she truly was an inspiration. Ayva unfortunatley got an infection which made her really poorly and she sadley passed away on the 17th November 2010 aged just 17 months. We had much more time with Ayva than we were told but it was no where near enough life will never be the same without her. Ayva's big sister Pheobe loved her very dearly they were very very close and the bond that they had was unbelievable. Ayva didnt walk or talk but Pheobe didnt see anything different about her. They used to lie together and just cuddle watching tele or pheobe would put little toys in Ayva's hand and play with her. Ayva always knew when pheobe was near she would look around for her. Pheobe who is only 3 now has said that she wants to be a doctor when she grows older so she can look after babies like Ayva! We have a star that we look out for everynight which we call Ayva we talk to her everynight and tell her what weve been doing it really helps pheobe cope with it all. Ayva May we would do anything to hold you one more time coz we would never ever let go. I hope you realise how so very much we love you and always will our special little angel. We hope that where you are now you feel no pain and the only thing that gives us comfort is that you dont have to go through anymore horrible tests ever again!! Lots and Lots of love Mummy, Daddy and big sister Pheobe xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx