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Angie and Brent Chamberlin of Franklin Furnace are new parents of Lauren Faith.

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PORTIA WILLIAMS

PDT Staff Writer

Mother’s Day births new meaning to Angie and Brent Chamberlin of Franklin Furnace. Angie, 46, and Brent, 51, have been married for 17 years, and became parents for the first time on March 4, 2012. A baby girl whom they named Lauren Faith weighed in at eight pounds, five ounces. When asked of her initial response to being pregnant Angie said, “I was in shock, and in total denial. It was definitely a surprise, not planned at all.”

When the Chamberlins shared the news of Angie’s pregnancy with family and friends, she said they responded in total disbelief.

“Because of our age, people just assumed that we couldn’t have kids,” Angie Chamberlin said. “So, when we did tell them that we were pregnant they thought we were joking. Everybody is really happy and supportive now. We call Lauren our little miracle baby. She is quite a little celebrity here in the Wheelersburg area.”

Angie said they were concerned because of their age; many things can go wrong when older women carry a baby.

“Actually, my pregnancy was perfect, I didn’t have any blood pressure issues at all. I only gained 16 pounds, and I worked up until Feb. 29. So it was a very, very good pregnancy,” she said. “I think we had every church in the area praying for us.”

Lauren was born by a cesarean section delivery, and Angie remains emotional about that day.

“I just thought that she was the most beautiful baby I’d ever seen, of course,” Angie said. “My husband was right there with me, of course. It was just an amazing experience to, after all of these years, finally have a newborn.”

Angie has been employed for 18 years, and is still on maternity leave from her job. Angie said she expects to face some challenges when she does return, as a working mom.

“Prior to being a mother, I was a routine person. Everything in my life was done in a very routine way,” she said.

Now that she is a mother, Angie is learning to be flexible.

“There are things that you do, because you have to, and it’s not belittling at all, it’s a good change,” she said. “This is the first time that I get to look forward to Mother’s Day.”

Angie said that being a mom is an indescribable feeling, and that if given the choice, even at age 46, she’d do it again.

Portia Williams may be reached at 740-353-3101 or portiawilliams@heartlandpublications.com.