JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- After 17 long months, formerly conjoined twin, Carter Mirabal, finally got to go home on Friday.
The Mirabal twins were successfully separated a year ago, after being joined at the abdomen at birth at Wolfson Children's Hospital.
Connor was released in January of this year. He was able to have his abdominal wall completely closed through surgery before Carter. Carter's surgery was delayed because he was battling a bout of Jaundice. Connor was able to eat on his own and healed a little more quickly than his twin brother, which is what aided in his earlier release.
However Carter, happy and healthy, is now home with his family. It is a moment his parents, Michelle Brantley and Bryan Mirabal, have been waiting for since the day the boys were born. A family will finally all together again!
"This is the day we have been waiting for since the beginning," said Jasmine Mirabal, Carter and Connor's aunt. "This is the day."
It's a milestone for the family, who is getting an unprecedented treat.
"We’ve never been able to experience Carter and Connor as just twins," Mirabal said. "We are going to have two cribs, with two babies - there is no longer going to be an empty crib in the corner. Carter is going to be in that crib! That speaks for itself."