In Chicago, Advocate Health Care hospitals celebrated the arrival of three extraordinary Leap Day babies, jumping into the world at a rate of one in 1,461 odds. Ellen, the seven-pound, 12.9-ounce daughter of first-time parents Ekaterina Gvelesiani and Nika Zhorzholiani, was born at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital at the stroke of 12:26 a.m., CBS reported. Over at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Carly and Dan Mallon greeted their new bundle of joy, Logan William, at 2:58 a.m., weighing an even seven pounds. A bit further away, Akalya Pittard and Malik Jordan of Oak Lawn had their own leap into fatherhood, welcoming Malik Jordan Jr. at 6:55 a.m. at Advocate Christ Medical Center, CBS stated.
While these Chicago-area families were opening a new chapter, over in Dyer, Ind., a legacy was being continued at Franciscan Health Crown Point, where Carly Dobin of DeMotte gave birth to her daughter, Molly, right after midnight. This birth not only marked a new life but also carried on the Leap Year tradition of Dobin's late grandfather, who shared the same Feb. 29 birthday and would have been 96, FOX 32 Chicago informed. Known affectionately as "leaplings" or "leapers," these rare individuals belong to an exclusive club of around five million people worldwide with a Leap Day birthday.
It's notable that these Leap Day babies have made their entrance into the world during a time when the probability is so slim, making their birthdays distinctive and memorable. Both hospitals went above and beyond to celebrate these rare occurrences, with Advocate Health Care estimating the special day affects about 0.07 percent of the population. Franciscan Health didn't leap behind in festivities, gifting the newborns with special onesies and matching knitted frog hats to commemorate the quirky calendar quirk, as per the heart-warming details shared by FOX 32 Chicago.
For parents and families, February 29, despite occurring once every four years, will mark an annual celebration of life and a personal anecdote of unique timing, forever making their Leap Day babies the center, of an intercalary year festivity. It's these stories, less about the rarity and more about the joyous peculiarity of time and date, that add just another layer of wonder to the journey of life, every four years.
