This Christmas will be extra special for the Grayson family- because their baby will celebrate his first Christmas out of hospital.
Until a few weeks ago, little Dominic had never left Randwick Children's Hospital in Sydney.
Now his parents - Amanda and Kyle Grayson - are expecting him to finally be well enough for a festive day with his family.
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"We'll probably have a nice lunch with everything, he's never heard carolling or anything so we'll probably sing, it'll be a huge new experience for him," Mrs Grayson told 9news.com.au.
"It'll be our first proper Christmas being able to spend it with family, not being actually in hospital.
"It's a huge deal."
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As reported by 9News, the 15-month-old tot was born with some of his organs on the outside of his body.
It's called giant omphalocele.
According to Boston Children's hospital in the US, cases as severe as Dominic's impact as few as one in 10,000 babies, while less complex forms are more common.
Dominic was put into a special plastic bag after being delivered by Caesarean.
It was a rare birth defect. His stomach, bowel and liver - and possibly some of his other organs - were all outside his body.
He needed a special ventilator to keep him alive, and even now he is still unable to have surgery to put his organs inside his body.
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However, a few weeks ago he reached a special milestone.
He has been able to move to a hospital closer to the NSW Central Coast family's home after living for his whole life at the Randwick hospital.
He is even allowed to leave Gosford Hospital for day visits to the family home in Gwandalan, New South Wales.
"It was surreal," Mrs Grayson, said.
"My dad came to visit, and Kyle's mum came which was really nice.
"He got to see the cat and the dog for the first time."
It also meant Mrs Grayson was able to sleep in her own bed for the first time in over a year.
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She had been staying at charity Ronald McDonald House, in Sydney which provides free accommodation for families of sick children, close to the hospital.
"It's really nice, lovely to be able to sleep in my own bed," she said.
The family is hoping Dominic will be able to go home for good in the New Year, once they've arranged carers and equipment they need, though will still need to return to Sydney often for appointments.
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They're planning to get Dominic something musical to unwrap on Christmas morning - as he loves his toy guitar.
He's has also shown a keen interest in computer games, like many other little boys.
Ronald McDonald House Charities has a Santa for Sick Kids appeal.
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It costs $160 to put a family up for a night.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Sydney CEO, Simone Daher said: "When a family has a child that requires long term hospital treatment, not only does it impact them emotionally, but also financially.
"When they are staying with us, we like to make sure that Christmas is a special time for the whole family.
"By supporting our Christmas appeal, you are helping relieve the burden and stress and supporting the creation of special memories for these families."
