E. Lansdowne couple welcomes county’s first baby of 2016
East Lansdowne mom gives birth to first baby of 2016
UPPER DARBY >> New Year’s Day brought a dream come true for Alfred Kirkland with the birth of his daughter, Mikayla Yvette.
Yet, the birth of the 5 pound, 18-inch baby also marked another milestone — Mikayla was Delaware County’s first baby born in the new year, as she arrived around 12:40 a.m., at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill.
“When she came out screaming, the tears just started rolling down,” Kirkland, 39, said Friday. “(It’s) the most incredible feeling in the world. All the nervousness and the tension is gone. It was like she’s the reason now.”
Mikayla’s mom, Tiffany Kirkland, said she had a hunch her baby might be the first of the new year when she got admitted.
“It hit me when they told me I was 3 centimeters and they were going to keep me,” the 28-year-old said.
She had been feeling pressure for a couple of days and had gotten checked Wednesday, and everything was fine.
But, after her shift in the dietary department at Broomall Presbyterian Village Thursday, she went to Delaware County Memorial Hospital because the pain hadn’t subsided.
“I was trying to make it all the way up to the 13th, but my body wasn’t having it, so I was trying for (Jan. 4), which is a week before my actual due date, but I didn’t make it,” Kirkland said.
The baby was named after Tiffany’s father, Michael, who died when she was 17 years old, and for Alfred Kirkland’s mom.
Having been married for almost a year, the East Lansdowne couple found out on Mother’s Day that Mikayla was on her way.
Alfred Kirkland, who is the nephew of state Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-159, of Chester, recalled that revelation “the best thing ever.”
“It’s everything I ever dreamed of and hoped for,” he said. For some time, he doubted it was going to happen, as other attempts at having a family didn’t work out.
“I spoke to my pastor, I spoke to my mom. I said, ‘I just don’t think those soldiers are marching,’” Kirkland said.
Working through his doubt, he trudged forward.
“I really had to encourage myself,” he said. “It’s worth every bit of it. It’s worth every bit of it.”
When Tiffany Kirkland found out, she hoped for a son.
“I ... wanted it to be a boy,” she said. “I wore blue. I wore blue all the way up until I found out it was a girl.”
Then, she wore pink.
The delivery came via surgery, and mom and dad persevered.
“You know she’s getting a C-section, she’s getting cut open, I’m worried to death ‘cause it took me a long time to make this little baby,” the new dad said. “Once you get to rubbing that belly, you get attached.”
Mom recalled the moment of seeing her child for the first time.
“When I actually did get to see her, I just cried,” she said. “When I first heard her cry, I cried.”
Although Alfred Kirkland lost a wager about his daughter’s birth, he’s still happy.
“Lost a bet, have to do the gravy,” he smiled. “Even though they said Jan. 13 was the due date, I still listened to that quiet voice — ‘Man, she’s coming around Dec. 29 or 31. It’s going to be the last week in December.’”
But since she arrived Friday, Kirkland will be in the kitchen making his wellliked gravy that he’s been making for the family for five years.
He’s also looking forward to the memories ahead with his little princess.
“I throw the best tea parties — my nieces say so,” Kirkland said. “I’ll probably build a couple of Barbie houses and doll houses, things like that, just to have the experience of doing things together. I’m so excited.”
Both mom and dad held the best of aspirations for their baby daughter.
“My hope is that she has joy and happiness and everything that she wants in life,” Tiffany Kirkland said as she cradled the newborn in her arms.
Her dad said his focus is super-sharpened now: “Anything I can do to provide in the future that she deserves, to help her become the woman that she was created to be.”