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Sextuplet Homecoming Off

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 21, 2007

WESLEY CHAPEL - The much anticipated homecoming Sunday of MacKenzie Margaret, one of the sextuplets who came in a flurry of births on Sept. 1, was delayed for at least a week after the 51-day-old baby got into a little bit of trouble Saturday night.

The sextuplet's father, Ben, said MacKenzie Margaret had an episode of sleep apnea, "Where she just didn't take a breath of air."

The matter was quickly taken care of, but MacKenzie Margaret's trip home from All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, where she has been staying since she was born, was put off for at least seven days, said her father.

It was a bit disappointing for the family, who has been splitting time between their home in Wesley Chapel and All Children's since the births.

There isn't a set schedule for which infant comes home and when, but it looks like next in line is Eli Benjamin, his father said.

Brady Christopher was brought home on Thursday, becoming the first of the six to get out of the hospital. The homecoming was a milestone in the Byler saga.

Hospital neonatal experts say the four checkpoints for a baby to go home are taking every feeding by mouth, maintaining stable body temperature and respiratory functions, and weighing at least 4 pounds. Brady, now 4 pounds, 12 ounces and is 16 1/2 inches long. He has gained 2 pounds and 4 ounces since birth.

"It's good," Ben Byler said Sunday afternoon. "But, he likes to sleep all day and is awake all night."

When they arrive home, the sextuplets will pair up in three cribs in one bedroom. The other two bedrooms in the home are occupied by the parents and older sister, Zoe, 4.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or at kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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