826CHI Volunteer Photo Book: My World Project - Part 2: IT’S NOT YOUR BIRTHDAY

IT’S NOT YOUR BIRTHDAY, Photo and Caption by William Nieves

“Muerdele al pastel! Muerdele al pastel!” the young Mexican mother of two – soon to be three – said to little Nico.

People with cameras began to crowd around.

“Muerdele! Muerdele!” She held on to him as he went toward the cake. His mouth opened and he took a small bite.

“Devuelta! Devuelta!” everyone shouted. Again, he opened his mouth, but only wider. This time, the bite was bigger, and cake was smeared everywhere from his nose to his chin.

If his birthday is March 12, then why is this party on June 28? It’s not his birthday. No, the party wasn’t for him. It was a baby shower; inside of Nico’s mother was a 7-month-old fetus.

Now, let’s fast-forward four weeks and four days.

“Oh, I’m not going to be there for long,” the mother said as she walked into Panera for a small breakfast. “I’m just going to be in the hospital for a little bit and then they’ll send me back home.”

Two hours later: “You’re in labor,” the nurse said. “What?!” the mother said, “I’m not even crying yet!”

“Watch,” the nurse said. “It’ll be out by 5:30.”

At 6:04 pm, little 8-pound, 13-ounce Cristian Xavier Jacome was born.

“Happy Birthday, baby,” little Nico said upon his first look at his baby brother.