A Carrollton mother received the best gift she's ever had when she was able to hold her newborn at her home on Christmas Eve.

The baby, William Eli Burkhart, was born at Tanner Medical Center on Nov. 27. But he was immediately taken to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston after being diagnosed with a rare skin disease.

The condition, epidermylosis bullosa, or EB, causes the boy's skin to blister and fall off.

Baby Eli was released from the hospital Monday evening. He was expected to stay in the hospital for at least two months, his mother said.

The baby's parents, Jessica Spicer and Randall Burkhart, said the child's being home was a "wish come true."

"It's the best Christmas present I could have ever asked for," Spicer said while relaxing at home with Eli on Wednesday.

Eli's grandparents, Carrollton residents Kenneth and Teresa Spicer, welcomed Eli as their 12th grandchild in November.

"He's just touched all our hearts," Teresa said. "His story has touched so many lives already, it's incredible. For him to come home was God working and prayer's work."

It was not initially known that the baby would survive until Christmas, much less make it back to Carrollton for the holiday.

It was also the work of Eli's doctors at Egleston, Jessica said, with her encouraging them to get Eli healthy enough to get him home before Christmas morning.

"They worked hard those last couple of weeks, and it paid off," the mother said. "We were so happy."

The child's parents were caught off guard by their child's disease, which is inherited. The two did not test for it, but hope that others can learn from their story.

The couple said they are blessed to have the support of their family and church.

"It was really hard at first," Jessica said. "It still makes me cry sometimes when I try to change the bandages and he cries because I don't want to hurt him. But I think it's getting better."

There is an account set up at Community Southern Bank in Bremen under the name "Full Faith Gospel Youth Group for Baby Eli," for anyone wishing to make a donation.

The couple must purchase special items that will cut down on the blistering, like special clothes and car seats that do not allow for so much friction.

Donations can also be sent to the family at their address, 252 Taylors Lane, Carrollton, GA 30117.

In people born with EB, the two layers of the skin lack protein anchors that hold them together, and any action that creates friction between them (like rubbing or pressure) will create blisters and painful sores. In individuals with healthy skin, the protein anchors, called dermal papillae, between the layers of skin prevent them from moving independently from one another (shearing).

More than 7,000 people have "liked" the Facebook page set up for Eli, named "Prayers for Baby Eli," which contains photos of the baby boy and updates on his condition.

The Facebook page can be accessed by going to www.facebook.com/EliRefusesEB.