The Sunshine Coast's 2004 New Year's baby, Melissa Rose Shipman, arrived Jan. 6 at St. Mary's Hospital.
For her parents, Secret Cove residents April and Robert Shipman, Melissa was a miracle baby. The couple had been told they could never have children and had accepted that fate.
"We took to travelling on the high seas," said Robert as he cuddled his two-day-old daughter.
But after more than 10 years of marriage, much to their surprise, the Shipmans found themselves expecting their first child. The due date was Christmas Day, but Melissa kept them waiting almost two weeks longer. She was born at 2:51 a.m., weighing seven pounds, 11 ounces, and measuring 21 inches.
"She's our little miracle," said April.
