It’s a second leap year baby for Modesto-area family

Kaylynn Fezette gave birth to the first of six leap year babies that arrived Monday at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto.

There was a remarkable twist to this birth, however.

Fezette’s father, Tom Pittman of Ceres, was born 60 years ago on Feb. 29, 1956. That’s two leap year births for one family in two generations.

Pittman, who has not witnessed many births in his three-score years, went to the hospital Sunday night for the event. He got the chills when his daughter’s labor went beyond midnight.

“When I went in, the door was shut behind me,” he said. “I got to see my granddaughter come into the world.”

Grace Fezette was born 6 pounds, 13 ounces, the second child of Matthew and Kaylynn Fezette of Stevinson.

Kaylynn’s due date was last Thursday, so Pittman did not think the coincidence would happen.

Pittman, as usual, was celebrating his birthday on Feb. 28 (Sunday), even though Monday was only the 15th opportunity to revel on his actual birth date. Kaylynn and her husband attended the party at the Pittman home.

Mom said she had no desire to have a leap year kid, but she started having the telltale contractions Sunday evening at the party. “My birthday present was on the way,” she said.

It made a believer out of her father.

Family members said Kaylynn had a routine delivery at the hospital. Grace was born at 12:51 a.m. Monday. Pittman was all smiles as he held the bundle for the first time.

Pittman’s time of birth was 12:32 a.m., a difference of only 19 minutes. He said he was born at a hospital in Modesto, though he is not sure which one.

Fezette said she’s certain to choose Feb. 28 for Grace’s birthday events, at least three out of four years.

Linda Pittman noted that her husband looked like the actor Edward G. Robinson as a baby, but his mother put him in baby beauty contests, no doubt, because of his special birth date.

Pittman said his family heritage is Creek Indian from Oklahoma. Grace has the black locks of the paternal side of the family. Family members were saying they fully expect her hair to turn black to blond, as it happened with her brother. Matthew Fezette showed a picture of their blond, 20-month-old son, Garrett.

Kaylynn said the messages she is getting from friends and family are treasures.

“I think it is pretty awesome,” said Ramona Coker, her sister.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 6:45 PM with the headline "It’s a second leap year baby for Modesto-area family."