Leaping for joy

Shorewood resident Erica Austin was born 24 years ago. This year, however, she had her 5th birthday ... technically.

Austin was born Feb. 29, 1988. She is a Leap Day baby.

The odds of being born on Leap Day are only 1 in 1,461. As of Saturday, March 10, 2012, Austin only had 1,451 days until her next actual birthday.

As if her birthday wasn't rare enough, occurring just once every four years and even skipping its rightful spot in the 2000 calendar, her special day in 2012 became twice as lucky.

Austin had her first baby, Arielle Lynn Blanchard, on her 24th, or 5th, birthday.

"We're going to stay young together all our lives," Austin said.

When Austin found out she was pregnant, she and her boyfriend, Aaron Blanchard, went to the doctor to find out when they should expect their baby. The doctor told the couple their baby was due either the 28 of February, or the 1st of March.

"I said, 'No, there's a 29th this year,'" Austin said. "She was due Feb. 29."

Austin and Blanchard couldn't believe it. It was rare to begin with that Austin's birthday only came around every four years. But the thought of having a baby with a Leap Day birthday, too, was pretty exciting.

Although Arielle was due Feb. 29, it didn't mean she would actually arrive that day.

"I was supposed to be due on my mom's birthday, March 10," Austin said. "It's just odd that (Arielle) was due on mine."

Arielle was actually born on her mother's special day, however.

"It'll be a lot of fun," Blanchard said about getting to celebrate both of his girls' birthdays on the same day. "I've never been big on birthdays. I don't like celebrating my own birthday. But having them together will be fun."

Blanchard said he doesn't like the idea of getting old, but can be happy for Austin and Arielle's birthdays since they will be young forever.

The new family recently moved to their Shorewood home from Channahon. In their new house, Arielle, of course, has her own room, decorated for a princess.

Her room is mostly light pink and has a big letter "A" hanging from one wall and a sign that reads "princess" hanging on another.

Austin said she usually celebrates her birthday on Feb. 28, but it can vary depending on the year. No matter what, though, she will now have someone else to share the special occasion with.