Leap Year babies welcomed with celebration

CHICAGO -- Every four years a day is added on to the month of February, giving hundreds of babies a unique birthday.

To celebrate the birthday, Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn threw a party. Five babies born on February 29, 2008, won't have to wait four years for their first birthday party.

Kaiven Young was born at 3 a.m. His mother, Kierra, grandfather and great-grandmother were on hand for today's celebration.

"It is pretty interesting. I never thought he would be born today," said Young, who plans to celebrates Kaiven's birthday on March 1.

"I sent out an email saying I hope everyone celebrates in 2012 with me," said Kenneth Young, Kaiven's grandfather.

Hospital staff decorated patients' rooms with balloons and streamers. They also passed out cupcakes and birthday cards for each Leap Year baby.

"Some of the babies only have a birthday once every four years and the staff talked about it yesterday and wanted to do something special for the moms and the babies," said Janet Finlon, Christ Medical Center.

Enrique Garcia and Pilar Reyna are the proud parents of 4 pound 13 ounce Gustavo, who was born at 6:39 a.m.

"Very proud and happy. And excited at the same time. And we don't have to celebrate but every four years," said Garcia.

Reyna said she's just thrilled to have a healthy baby boy.

About 200,000 Americans are born on February 29, which is less than one-percent of the U.S. population.

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