[DiamondSmiles]

I have to admit I had never heard of this baby until now.

Ryan Roberts, the 22-month-old boy who inspired thousands of "banana split parties" in his honor in recent weeks, died Sunday.

His mother, Diane Roberts, shared on her Facebook page that her son "fought as in typical Ryan fashion - he ignored our words telling him it was OK to go." She wrote,

“At approximately 12:10 while I held Ryan in my arms and daddy held him as well – surrounded by so many who loved him Ryan drew his last breath. He is without oxygen, medicine, tubes, wires, and HURT – he is at peace.”

Ryan takes his first bike ride, (photo below).

The night before, he slept peacefully, Diane told TODAY Moms. "His monitor did not beep the entire night," she said Monday. "He had a fabulous night."

Diane and her husband, Erik Roberts, decided four weeks ago to issue a Do Not Resuscitate order for their son after being told by doctors that after four surgeries, there was nothing more medical experts could do for him. Ryan was born Sept. 12, 2010, with Down syndrome and a heart defect.

His story went viral last month after Diane requested that parents serve their kids banana splits for dinner to create a special memory in honor of Ryan. A friend created a "Ryan's Banana Split Party" page on Facebook, and more than 76,000 people have responded, posting banana split photos from all over the world.

Ryan, held by his mother Diane and surrounded by other family members, was born with Down syndrome and a heart defect, (photo below).

In recent weeks, Ryan's family made the most of the time he had left, checking off items from a "bucket list" created by his parents. He got a fake tattoo, was issued a "speeding ticket" by visiting Pittsburgh police officers, rode a bike, and shared a (root) beer with his dad to celebrate his 21-month-birthday. Said his mom, "He's a real bad ass."

Last week, the Roberts family spent the Fourth of July together at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where they took Ryan to the roof of the parking garage to watch the fireworks. He fell asleep before they started, Diane said, "but we were all there together."

Family and friends will gather Friday for a private celebration of Ryan's life in Pittsburgh. Others who wish to celebrate Ryan can participate by writing memorial messages on balloons -- Ryan's family will use red balloons -- and releasing them into the sky at 8:30 p.m. EST.

His parents didn't expect him to go so soon; they thought he had a couple more weeks to live.

"Last Sunday, I was lying out on the grass with him," Diane said. "The next Sunday, he was gone."

Photos - courtesy of Diane Roberts.

[DeeMarieGK]

RIP, Little man....
DS, where do you snag all these stories?

[xstunt1ngx]

What was the little guys condition? I teared up a bit reading this story.... always fucked up when little kids die.

[DiamondSmiles]

@xstunt1ngx - He had Down Syndrome and a heart condition, but, it does not go into detail as to what that condition was. The Down Syndrome must have been mild.

@DeeMarie - They find me! I swear!

[Soar]

Heartbreaking.

[DiamondSmiles]

Heartbreaking that these parents loved and wanted this baby and he died of something beyond their control, unlike many stores on here :(

These stories are always sad when they involve the innocents, the babies.

I think, with his condition as it was, Ryan's family kept him happy during his short life <3

[kizzcee007]

I had been following Ryan's story....my grandson has DS but thankfully his heart was fine apart from a little hole which healed itself. I also work with children and adults with DS (among other conditions) so this is very close to my heart. My grandson took part in one of the Banana Split parties...it was a very emotional day.

[Space Particle]

Poor family, look at the cheeks on that baby, he was too cute.

[Karma]

. What an adorable little lad. Hadn't heard of him before. RIP little guy.

[r0tten]

Originally Posted by diamondsmiles ↗

@xstunt1ngx - He had Down Syndrome and a heart condition, but, it does not go into detail as to what that condition was. The Down Syndrome must have been mild.

@DeeMarie - They find me! I swear!

Why do you say the DS must have been mild? There's no way of telling by looking at him and with him being so young you wouldn't know how much the DS effected him.

My daughter has DS and was born with multiple heart conditions. He probably had ASD or a VSD or both. My daughter had ASD, VSD and a transitional AV canal defect that healed on their own. This hits close to home. Hopefully his parents will heal with the knowledge that they gave him the best life in the short amount of time he was alive.