KUALA LUMPUR: When baby Wong Wai Jing was born in December 2008 - after a decade of being a frozen embryo - her birth was believed to be a miracle and a record of sorts.

Now, the 14 months infant and her 47-year old mother have been officially recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for the phenomenal feat.

Wai Jing, a cute 11kg toddler, has been listed as the female offspring of the first embryo frozen for the longest duration while her mother, June Tan, has been listed for gestating the first embryo frozen for the longest duration.

The frozen embryo recorded a remarkable storage duration of 10 years, one month and seven days - in which the embryo was stored from April 2, 1998 to May 9, 2008.

"My husband and I were overjoyed when the baby arrived and never we thought that we'll be setting a record," said an elated Tan, adding that they have longed for the child for more than 18 years.

"It's an award that was naturally bestowed to us and not something which we purposely went after for."

But Wai Jing was not their first child. The couple had an elder daughter, 20, that was conceived naturally.

"Whether through natural birth or the IVF, the quality of the child is the same. In fact, I find Wai Jing to be especially intelligent. She understands some of the deeper things I say and she looks at herself in the mirror.

She can even mimic the cartoons on TV," Tan said, adding that the infant was breast-fed and has a strong immune system.

"Now that we're more financially stable now, I am devoting all my time to take care of the child. I'm now a full-time housewife."

Tan and her husband had earlier decided on the in vitro fertilisation, but after several test tube attempts and four miscarriages, Tan was advised to freeze the embryo for the possibility of a future pregnancy.

Describing her child as a miracle baby, Tan said the total costs of her medical fees (from the start of her pregnancy until she was being discharged from the hospital) came up to about RM50,000.

She attributed her success to sticking with only one gynaecology and assisted reproduction centre, as well as consistently consulting the same fertility specialist.

Asked if she'd be trying for another child, Tan said she is open to the idea. In the meantime, she will continue to strengthen her health and maintain a healthy lifestyle.