On June 29, the Journal reported that the centre's doctors had fitted an adult pacemaker to Taylor in a world-first operation.

Taylor weighed 541grams when she was born prematurely, with a heart blockage. Nine hours after birth her heart began to fail and doctors fitted the pacemaker, which was bigger than her body.

It will help to keep her alive until she reaches about twokilograms and a more conventional pacemaker can be fitted.

When the Journal interviewed Mrs Gardiner, baby Taylor weighed 1.2kilograms.

She was proud that Taylor had more than doubled in weight and spends up to 10 hours a day by her bedside.

Mrs Gardiner, who lives in Wodonga with her husband and two other children, said the birth came on unexpectedly. She was rushed to MMC with little more than the clothes on her back.

The only baby items she has is two blankets bought so she can cuddle Taylor in hospital and a few toys that hang next to her humidicrib in the newborn ward.

With Taylor expected to remain in hospital until Christmas and her husband Ron working and looking after their other children, Dylan, 9, and Jess, 17, Mrs Gardiner said she wasn't sure when she would find the time to go shopping for baby clothes, toys and furniture.

But every minute with her daughter was a blessing.

"I don't get to cuddle her very often so I really treasure it when I can."