As birthday presents go, even the most optimistic new mum wouldn’t dare to dream it could happen.
But Ali Armstrong – who was born on February 29 – has defied odds of two million to one by welcoming her baby daughter Isla into the world on the same date.
Teacher Ali celebrated her new arrival yesterday morning at 5.22am – 32 years after she was born at 6.37am.
Amazingly, her husband Colin, 33, predicted the most unlikely birth date.
Isla was born in the NMC Royal Women’s Hospital in Abu Dhabi after the couple moved to the United Arab Emirates from East Kilbride almost five years ago.
Ali said: “It’s so special to have the same leap year birthday as my daughter.
"She’s the best gift I could have wished for. Isla’s two weeks early and chose a day that only happens every four years for her birthday.
“She’ll have to wait four years for her next true birthday but I’ve got used to it. It’s good to be a little bit different and it makes your real birthdays all the more special.”
Journalist Colin added: “We’re absolutely delighted, it makes Isla unique and such an amazing gift. I said to Ali a few months ago I’d a feeling it would work out like this.
“Ali normally celebrates her birthday on March 1. We’re not sure if Isla will want to do the same or choose February 28. We’ll leave that up to her.”
Colin, who was born on Boxing Day, revealed: “They wanted to induce my mum on Christmas Day but didn’t want to ruin Christmas for my older brother Ross.”
The couple started going out while at Claremont High School in East Kilbride.
They continued their relationship while attending Glasgow College of Commerce and Glasgow Caledonian University.
Colin added: “We saw our doctor on Wednesday who sent us to the hospital.
“So we were here two days and she wasn’t budging. Then, at about 12.30am on February 29 Ali’s water broke and by 5.22am Isla was here.”
