Published: May 03, 2008 10:50 pm            

It’s a GIRL, finally!

First Shimer female born in 99 years

ASHLAND — Haley Elizabeth Shimer was born a princess.

The seven-pound, one-ounce bundle of joy holds the distinction of being the first female born to the Shimer family in 99 years.

The “princess treatment” began as soon as she made her appearance in the delivery room, according to her parents, Justin and Amy Shimer of Ashland.

“That has already began and I think it is just going to build,” said Haley’s mother, Amy Shimer, 30, who reports she is feeling better with each day following her first child’s birth.

Haley’s great-grandfather, Wilson “Chick” Shimer, 88, said he was one of four children, two boys and two girls, with his youngest sister, Margaret, born in 1909.

“She was the last girl born in our family,” he said. He and his wife, Louise, had two sons, Michael and Robert. Michael and his wife had twin sons, Justin and Jason, Shimer said. Jason fathered two boys, Hayden and Drew, continuing the all-male lineage.

“I didn’t realize this much time had passed since we had a girl born until Hayden was born about three years ago. I just said, ‘Well, my goodness, it has been almost a century,” he said with a chuckle.

When Justin and his wife Amy learned they were having a girl, excitement rippled through the family tree.

“We were just tickled to death,” Chick said. “My mother (Lydia) always wanted a granddaughter. And, she is a dandy.”

Haley’s grandmother, Sharon “Mimi” Shimer, joked “I didn’t think it was possible” when she heard about little Haley. After generations of raising boys, she plans “of course” to do her best to spoil the child and looks forward to a different type of baby shopping.

“I can play with dolls again instead of cars and trains,” she said, giggling. “I can buy pink and purple pretty things for her.”

Her husband, Mike, said he will have to familiarize himself with “the pink aisles” in stores, although he still plans to teach his latest grandchild how to fish.

Haley’s daddy said they liked the idea of “breaking the streak” and truly looked forward to the chance for his grandparents to meet the latest addition to the family.

Justin, 29, said he has spoken to many people whose families have gone 50 or 60 years with no male or female births, although none which came so close to the 100-year mark.

“People seem pretty amazed by it,” he said, then added, “Now, it will probably be another 100 years before another baby boy is born in our family.”

Haley’s mother said she was unaware of the “no baby girls” trend until they told family members they were expecting.

“On December 4 we found out we were having a girl and we told everybody in the family. His mom, Sharon, was just jumping up and down.”

Oddly enough, Amy, a 1996 graduate of Ironton High School and the daughter of Clarence and Eva Sites, said her family has noticed a lack of boy babies.

“I have one sister, Kristi Wilds, and she has two girls,” she said. “So, there hasn’t been a boy in a while on my side of the family.”

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.

        

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