MIAMI -- One of the smallest babies ever born at Miami's Holtz Children's Hospital was finally able to go home Friday after spending eight months in the neonatal intensive care unit.

When Gabriella Mercedes Gil was born in March, she weighed less than a can of soda at 1 pound, 1 ounce. Now, several months later, Gabriella weighs 12 pounds.

At 23 weeks gestation, Gabriella entered the world as one of the smallest babies ever born, Local 10's Constance Jones reported. Doctors said Gabriella had only a 15 percent chance of survival.

Gabriella has faced lung disease, bleeding in the brain and open-heart surgery. Despite the countless operations, her proud parents remained hopeful.

"(We did) a lot of talking, a lot of telling her we were there for her, to keep fighting," said Gabriella's mother, Maruja Gil. "With some kind of calm in my heart, like a mother, you know what is going to happen. My mom always told me that and it's true. You always know what is going to happen. I feel very calm and very confident and I trust God."

For now, Gabriella remains on hormone therapy and other medications, but doctors said they expect her to live a normal life.

"It's kind of an anxious feeling. It's a good thing, but it's also like, 'Oh my god, I can't believe it.' We were waiting for so long," said Maruja Gil.