Sixth Of Florida's First Sextuplets Leaves Hospital

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) _ The sixth of Florida's first sextuplets is home from the hospital in time to spend Thanksgiving with his siblings. <br/><br/>Charlie Byler was still breathing through an

Thursday, November 22nd 2007, 8:57 am

By: News On 6

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) _ The sixth of Florida's first sextuplets is home from the hospital in time to spend Thanksgiving with his siblings.

Charlie Byler was still breathing through an oxygen tube when he left All Children's Hospital on Wednesday after a news conference where his parents showed him off with his four brothers and one sister.

Karoline Byler said she was exhausted, but ecstatic to finally have all of her babies home.

The boys wore white baseball team sleepers with red pinstripes that read `Dad's Team' on the front and `Mommy approved' on a patch.

Charlie Craig, Brady Christopher, Eli Benjamin, Mackenzie Margaret, Jackson Robert and Ryan Patrick were born Sept. 1, more than two months early. They were the first sextuplet births on record in the state, according to the state Department of Vital Statistics. They join 4-year-old sister Zoe.

Charlie, who weighed about 2 pounds at birth, has grown to more than 6 pounds.

Doctors say he will require the most monitoring because of a vascular ring around his trachea and esophagus, which can lead to breathing and digestive difficulties, and can require surgery. He also has mild chronic lung disease.

The Bylers were showered with clothing, diapers, baby wipes and gift cards shortly before the births. They also received a year's supply of ready-made meals and baby formula, six months of in-home wellness care and a $7,000 generator for backup electric power in the hurricane-prone state.

The Bylers said they were grateful for the community's support and have enjoyed showing off their children.

``We've been happy to share the babies with everyone,'' Ben Byler said.