It’s a phenomena that typically occurs every four years, the same four years in which the country elects a new president. And while it may not be received with the same pomp associated with a presidential election, February 29 was cause for celebration for three families in particular.
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle delivered three children on Leap Day. The parents of the newborns are now faced with a decision: On what day will their child’s birthday be celebrated, February 28 or March 1? Or, will the celebration be held once every four years?
Nia Ferguson, of Macon, and Ellis J. Steels Jr. welcomed the arrival of their daughter, Lyric Steels, on Wednesday. The couple said they have not decided on when Lyric will celebrate her birthday.
“It was a coincidence that (Lyric) was born on February 29,” Ferguson said. “We don’t know which day will be her birthday. It’s something we have to think about.”
While Ferguson had her child naturally, the Leap Day delivery of the other babies was a choice made by the parents.
“We decided to have our daughter, Makinzie, by a c-section on Wednesday,” Kelly Clark of Caledonia said. “It wasn’t because it was February 29 but because it’s when the doctor could see us.”
Clark’s husband, Mitchell, said the decision of when to celebrate her birthday would eventually be Makinzie’s choice.
“When she gets older, she can decide which day she wants to call her birthday. For now, we will have it on February 29 and have a special celebration every four years.”
Columbus mother Patricia Barry also had her son Jace by a c-section February 29.
“This was just the day the doctor could deliver my baby,” she said. “I plan on having his birthdays on February 28.”
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