The youngest of three generations of women born on St Patrick’s Day is celebrating her first birthday at an Irish bar.
Charlotte Chisholm was born on March 17 last year, and shares a birthday with her mum, Katie Chisholm, 32, and grandma Mary Adams, 67.
The family had the luck of the Irish when Charlotte’s due date was predicted as being the day after St Patrick’s, but the now mum-of-one tried not to get her hopes up.
Katie, from Omaha, Nebraska, USA, said: “My mum was so excited when she found out, and had the same reaction as everyone else that she had to be born on our birthday.
“She was already calling Charlotte her ‘little shamrock’ before she was born.”
But sure enough, the little girl made her entrance to the world on March 17, 2021 at 5:44am, at the same hospital that Katie was born at and works at as a nurse.
For her first birthday, the baby will be accompanying her grandmother, mum and dad Scott Chisholm, 34, to an Irish bar where her parents coincidentally had their first date.
The tot will naturally be donning her tiny Celtics rugby shirt and shamrock beanie hat to celebrate the day.
Katie said: “Honestly we just feel like the luckiest people ever.
“What are the odds of three consecutive generations of women all born on the same day plus having it be St. Patrick’s Day?
“Then on top of it we get a healthy, beautiful baby that sleeps through the night, I’m not sure we deserve such luck!”
Throughout her life, the day celebrating the foremost Patron Saint of Ireland was very important for Katie and her mum, retiree Mary.
She said: “St. Patrick’s Day was always a very special day growing up because it was my mother and I’s birthday and she would always pull me out of school to grab lunch and shop.
“My mother definitely loves all her children the same, but I always felt having this birthday connection with my mother made our relationship so unique.
“She always told me that I was her best birthday present ever, and now Charlotte is her second best gift.”
Since turning 21, she has always spent the day at Barrett’s Barleycorn Pub and Grill drinking and listening to Irish music.
This is also where her and real estate agent Scott had their first date.
“We quickly found out that we had a lot in common especially our love for whiskey and a good time,” the nurse said.
“According to Ancestry.com I am only 2% Irish, but I am very proud of that 2%!
“However, my husband’s family has a much stronger Irish heritage – his mother’s maiden name is O’Connor.
“They take a lot of pride in their Irish heritage, and St. Patrick’s day was always a major family holiday for him growing up.”
The couple found out they were pregnant with their first child in July 2020, and were given the due date of March 18 2021.
Katie said: “From the moment we found out I just remember everyone saying she has to be born on St. Patrick’s Day.
“However, as a labour and delivery nurse, I remember thinking in the back of my head that it would never actually happen.
“Babies always come when they want, and rarely do I actually see babies come on their actual due date.”
Katie went into labour on March 15, while working in the Labour Ward at CHI CUMC Bergan Mercy – coincidentally the same hospital she was born at 32 years prior.
She said: “I remember being hunched over breathing through contractions while trying to place a patient’s IV for her C-section.
“I honestly just went home, laid in bed, and drank water hoping we would make it to the 17th.”
They went back to the hospital at around 8:30pm on March 16, but Charlotte Jean Chisholm arrived at 5:44am the next day on her mother and grandmother’s birthday.
Katie, who is studying for a Master’s degree in Nursing Education, said: “We have been so blessed with such a perfect daughter and even more thankfully a great sleeper!
“We have our struggles like I’m assuming every first time parent does, but overall it’s wonderful.
“We can’t believe it’s already been one year!”
The family will be heading to Barrett’s Bar for some music in the morning, and then the parents will sneak off to a St Patrick’s Day party while Charlotte is napping later.
Their little girl will be treated to her favourite activities the next day – going to the zoo and swimming.
Katie said: “We’re looking forward to enjoying a couple of Guinness’s, but maybe just a couple less than pre-kid St Patrick’s Days!
“Charlotte is truly the best gift I have ever been given and I wouldn’t change a thing.
“This whole situation just creates such an incredible bond between the three of us that Charlotte will have for the rest of her life.
“The holiday has taken on an even bigger meaning for both of our families.”
