You couldn’t name your first child after a character from the Batman comic book series and not expect any surprises.
For first time parents, Tammy Maharaj, and Brandon Kalp of Hempfield, the surprise from their daughter, Harley Quinn Kalp, was born at 2:13 p.m. Christmas Day at Excela Health Westmoreland hospital in Greensburg.
“We’re so excited. It’s the best Christmas present we could have asked for,” said Tammy.
“She was a surprise because she wasn’t due until Dec. 30, so she was a little bit early,” Tammy added.
Harley Quinn’s parents, both 40, are fans of Batman. The newborn’s namesake was the girlfriend of the Joker.
“We both really love the name too,” Tammy said.
“Life’s real good right now,” added her husband, Brandon, a graduate of California University of Pennsylvania, and a former restaurant owner.
The couple said their daughter is 8 pounds and “has a full head of hair.”
Maharaj and Kalp just moved to Westmoreland from Florida in February. They learned she was pregnant in March.
The couple admitted it seemed like a long wait.
“It was a good thing (being born in 2020). It kept both our minds occupied for several months and off the chaos (of the year),” Tammy added.
Kalp’s stepmother, Debbie Kalp of Hunker, was born Dec. 24.
The couple has been in the hospital since Tuesday when Tammy began experiencing contractions.
“We’ve been here five days… and with covid-19 restrictions you can’t leave and come back. So we’re really anxious to go home Sunday,” Brandon Kalp added.
The couple was expecting a possible New Year’s baby, but also were ready for a Christmas baby as the Christmas outfit her mom outfitted her in for her first photos show.
