Leap Day baby born to Fairfield parents

One day, Kynsington Deutsch will know first-hand what it means to be one out of 1,461 ?  the probability of being born on Leap Day.

The only baby born to Southeast Iowa parents Monday at Ottumwa Regional Health Center, Kynsington joins a unique group of only 4 million others in the world who were born on the day that comes once every four years.

?It?s really exciting,? said Kynsington?s mother, Fairfield resident Stacia Deutsch.  ?At first we were like ?oh no, Leap Day.? Now I think it?s fun that she?s so original  ?  a ?Leapling,? that?s what they call it.?

Stacia said her husband Justin was just as excited as she was.

?Anybody can have a New Year?s baby; that happens once a year. It is special to have a Leap Day baby, because that only happens once every four years,? Justin Deutsch said.

Although little Kynsington?s name was decided on prior to her birth, its spelling was not.

?We kind of had her name picked out ahead of time,? Stacia said. ?She was so original, we did something original with her name, too.?

Kynsington is the Deutsch?s first baby, and she?s also Fairfield residents Jerry and Lisa Leonard?s first grandchild.

?It makes her even more special,? Lisa Leonard said of her new granddaughter?s birthday.

Leonard read up on when Kynsington?s birthday should be celebrated during non-Leap Years.

?We read that if they are born on Feb. 29 before noon, we should celebrate it on Feb. 28. If they are born after noon, then it should be celebrated March 1,? Leonard said.

Kynsington was born at 11:09 a.m., so they plan to celebrate her special day Feb. 28 during non-Leap Years.

For now, the family is enjoying its new addition.

?We?re very excited she?s here, and she?s happy and healthy,? Stacia said.

In honor of Kynsington?s special birthday, Ottumwa Regional Health Center presented the family with a stuffed green frog.