NORMAN — Babies are born everyday. Occasionally, a baby is born on the same day as a parent. But a baby and parent both born on Leap Day? One in two million.
When Tim McAuliffe’s wife, Kim, went into labor at about 9 p.m. Tuesday, he wasn’t sure if he would get to share his ninth birthday — well, 36th — with his firstborn child.
“It was meant to be,” Tim said about his daughter being born on Leap Day.
Macy Michael McAuliffe was born at Norman Regional Health Plex at 1:13 p.m. Wednesday at 7 pounds 15 ounces and 20.5 inches long.
Though Kim’s original due date was Monday, she arranged to be induced Wednesday morning. Baby Macy had different plans.
“She kind of just came on her own,” Tim said. “I would have thought it was still special, but it kind of makes it that more special that she decided to come on her own.”
In fact, Tim’s feeling pretty lucky.
“I think I might go get a lottery ticket or something.”
Macy’s grandfather and Tim’s father, Tom McAuliffe, said when the family first found out Kim’s due date would fall so close to Leap Day, they could hardly believe it.
“The novelty of it is really awesome,” he said, smiling about his first grandchild.
As far as the future goes, Tom said Tim will make a great father.
And for their next birthdays, when the two turn “10” and “one,” Tim said he’ll let Macy be in the limelight.
“We’ll have to do a big party for both of them,” Kim said.
Ann Kullich, Tim’s aunt, remembers being there for Tim’s unique birthday.
“I’m a great aunt,” she said. “It feels wonderful.”
Tim, a lifelong Norman resident, said he has been featured two previous times in The Norman Transcript for his unique birthday. In the future, he said, he think it’d be fun to see himself with his birthday buddy in the paper again.
But, mostly, he hopes he always shares a bond with Macy.
Hannah Cruz 366-3533 hcruz@normantranscript.com
