When the doctor told Brandon and Kristen Gilley of Waterville that their first baby was due Feb. 29, they never imagined he would actually be born on the one day that appears on the calendar only once every four years.
After all, only a very small percentage of babies are actually born on their due date.
But Jackson Gilley, all 6 pounds, 11 ounces of him, was delivered Monday as promised. He sprang into action at 12:31 a.m. Monday at MaineGeneral Medical Center’s Alfond Center for Health in Augusta.
Kristen Gilley, 29, a program manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Lewiston office, had been in labor only about nine hours before she gave birth, having arrived at the hospital around 3:15 p.m. Sunday. Gilley is daughter of Waterville City councilor Steve Soule, D-Ward 1.
Brandon Gilley, 30, a drug court case manager in Androscoggin County, said later Monday that his wife was a trooper and had an excellent labor and birthing experience.
Their little boy, 20 inches long, is quiet for the most part, he said.
“At this point, he cries when he’s hungry,” he said. “He’s very calm and he’s doing good.”
As to when they will celebrate Jackson’s birthday each year, the couple has no idea.
“It’s going to be the 28th or the first,” Brandon Gilley said, “and of course, a celebration in the year 2020” when the calendar will once again have the date Feb. 29.
Jackson is grandson to Carole Gilley, who is the principal of Waterville Junior High School. Gilley, of Belgrade, was at the hospital for the birth and said it went very smoothly and everyone was surprised he was born Feb. 29.
“I couldn’t imagine that she’d have all the stars lined up, and we are going to embrace the fact that he’s a leap year baby,” she said.
Carole Gilley’s other son, Matt, 33, and his wife, Katie, 33, have a 1-year-old girl, Elsie, and live only one house away from Brandon, Kristen and Jackson.
“The cousins are going to grow up together,” she said.
Amy Calder — 861-9247
Twitter: @AmyCalder17
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