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Final Sextuplet Now Home

By Kelvin Ma / Tampa Tribune

Charlie Craig, who was the lightest of the Byler sextuplets at birth, was the last to go home.

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By STEVE KORNACKI, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 22, 2007

Photo Gallery: Byler Family

ST. PETERSBURG - Charlie Craig became the final Byler sextuplet to leave All Children's Hospital on Wednesday, filling the sixth car seat in the family's recently purchased 10-seat van for the drive home to Wesley Chapel.

Karoline Byler said not long after their birth on Sept. 1 that she hoped her babies would all be home by Christmas. She got her wish, even making it home in time for Thanksgiving. Her due date was Nov. 13, and the babies were born at 29 1/2 weeks gestation.

"I'm in shock," said the 29-year-old mother. "Five came back by the due date. Everything has gone so well; we are so lucky."

Father Ben Byler, 31, said prayer has been a significant part of their lives, adding that he "definitely" felt they have been rewarded for declining the selective reduction options of eliminating some of the babies in the womb to allow a few babies better odds at survival.

They were Florida's first sextuplets, born at St. Petersburg's Bayfront Medical Center and the 14{+t}{+h} set of sextuplets to survive in the United States.

Brady Christopher was the first to go home Oct. 18, followed by Eli Benjamin and Mackenzie Margaret Oct. 29. Jackson Robert went home Nov. 2, followed by Ryan Patrick Nov. 10.

Danilo Escoto, one of a team of neonatologists who cared for the sextuplets, said they benefited from "good prenatal and neonatal care" and made it past the key 28th week gestation period milestone that generally relates to premature babies surviving.

"They are all doing well and have a pretty good prognosis," he said.

'This Baby Has Come A Long Way'

Charlie Craig Byler was the lightest at birth, weighing 2 pounds, 5 ounces. He has nearly tripled his weight to 6 pounds, 8 ounces.

Escoto said, "This baby has come a long way."

However, Charlie will require the most monitoring because of a vascular ring, an unusual formation of the aorta or surrounding vessels that encircles the trachea and esophagus. It can lead to breathing and digestive difficulties, and can require surgery. He also has mild chronic lung disease.

Escota said it was decided to send Charlie home because he was otherwise ready.

His middle name, Craig, was for his father's uncle, who died three years ago from a heart attack. The day after his birth, his great-grandmother Betty Petersen said she "couldn't hardly handle it because it meant so much."

Charlie and his brothers wore white baseball team sleepers with red pinstripes, which their mother purchased Tuesday night.

"It says 'DAD'S TEAM' on the front and 'Mommy approved' on a patch," said Karoline Byler.

They purchased two triple strollers that allow for car seats to be placed in them for easier transportation.

While several photographers converged to take photos, hospital volunteer Joan Elton said, "Charlie, you are the main attraction today."

Charlie was the only Byler baby awake as they boarded an elevator to leave the hospital. "It's all new to him," Karoline Byler said.

Generosity Touches Bylers' Hearts

Ben Byler has a bread and bagel delivery route in Tampa and was given six weeks of paid vacation by Pepperidge Farms to help care for his family. The couple said the generosity of many has touched their hearts. They said people often approach them at stores, saying, "Are you the ..." And they quickly add that, yes, they are the parents of six. Some offer gifts and used clothing.

In the hospital parking lot, mother handed the sextuplets one-by-one to father, who was inside the silver 2005 Dodge Sprinter he purchased this week on eBay because they had outgrown their Dodge Caravan.

"It used to be an airport shuttle bus," Ben Byler said.

Charlie was positioned in the seat behind the front passenger seat, with his mother between him and sister Zoe, 4, who wore an "I'm the Big Sister" shirt. Mackenzie wore an "I'm the Little Sister" shirt over a sleeper.

Charlie cried as his father pulled the van away from the hospital entrance way.

They plan a Thanksgiving dinner with Karoline Byler's parents and grandparents today, but six in the house will have to wait a year or two for their first turkey.

Reporter Steve Kornacki can be reached at (813) 731-8170 or skornacki@tampatrib.com.

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