WEDNESDAY may have just been an extra day in the year for most people, but for some it marked one of the most special day of their lives.

Comet country welcomed the arrival of seven babies at Lister Hospital on Leap Day.

These mothers and fathers shared their stories with The Comet.

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A WOMAN who gave birth to her second child has decided that the birthday will be celebrated in February.

Bernadette Pagini and husband Enrico welcomed 9lb Alessia into the world on Wednesday, two weeks after the due date.

“It’s been quite hard, as I’ve got a two-year-old as well, but it’s nice that we’re home,” said the 36-year-old from Stevenage.

“Because she was born in February, we will celebrate on the 28th of the month.”

Alessia has a two-year-old sister, Emilie.

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BABY Dominic was born a leapling, but only by 17 minutes.

The youngster was welcomed into the world at 00.17, weighing 7lb and 15oz.

Mum Jinta and husband Littish Dominic Kochumuttom took him back to their Hitchin home on Saturday. He is the couple’s first child.

“It’s perfect, everything is going really well,” said Littish.

“We haven’t thought about the birthday yet. We’ll probably go with March 1, then have a big celebration every four years.”

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BABY George was born three weeks early, but thanks to staff at Lister, he is now home with his mum.

Laura Larman, from St Ippolyts, gave birth to the tot at 11.15am. He weighed 6lb 2oz.

George was due on March 22, and due to his early arrival, had to spend time in the special care unit. Laura finally brought him home on Sunday.

“It’s lovely to have him home, as he was in special care and both he and I were quite poorly,” she said.

“My mum’s here and she has been brilliant. Everyone is dying to meet him, but we’re just going to have a couple of days first as we’ve only just got home.

“We’ll celebrate his birthday on whatever day it is after the 28th, either the 29th or March 1.”

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BABY Jake has only just returned home, and his older brother has already taken on the protective role.

The tot was born at 2pm by Caesarean at Lister Hospital, and is now back in his home near Knebworth.

He is the second child of Nicola and Brett Willis, who also have three-year-old Max.

“Max has been really attentive, which is a nice surprise. We didn’t know how he would react, but he’s been all over him,” said Brett.

The couple aren’t sure when they will celebrate Jake’s birthday, but Brett said he has been doing some research.

“My thoughts are that we will see what falls on a weekend,” he added. “I’ve been looking around and I see that things like a driving licence are on the first, so we may try and go with that.”

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A WOMAN has returned home with her daughter, who was born four days later than anticipated.

Carla Bull, from Chells in Stevenage, gave birth to baby Macey just after 8am on Wednesday. She returned home with her shortly afterwards, along with partner Aaron Stockley.

The 21-year-old told The Comet: “Everything’s fine, we’re home now, which is nice.

“We’re going to have her birthday on February 28, because she was born quite early in the day.”

Macey is the couple’s second child, and is sister to one-year-old Hope.

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A MUM who gave birth to her second child has decided the birthday will be celebrated on February 28.

Michelle Hawes, from Chells, Stevenage, gave birth to 9lb 1oz Lainey just after 9.30am on Wednesday.

Michelle and her partner, Jason Butler, returned home with her last week.

“At first she was due on March 1, then when I went for my scan, they changed it to February 23, so she was six days late” said the 27-year-old.

“We did talk about the date, and said if the baby was born before midday, we’d celebrate the birthday on the 28th and if it was after, it would be March 1. She was born in the morning, so we’ll have her birthday on the 28th.

“It’s a shock to get back into the routine, but it’s lovely to have her home.”

Lainey is sister to five-year-old Grace, and half-sister to 12-year-old Jasmine and eight-year-old Hermione.