“Be thankful for everything that happens in your “Be thankful for everything that happens in your life; it’s all an experience.” (Roy T. Bennett) This is our first Thanksgiving as a family of four. I am not only thankful for the egg donors and surrogates who helped bring my three children to me, but I remain grateful to those who were also involved in some way or other! I’m thankful for all the people who choose to work with my small egg donation and surrogacy agency @proudfertility - it’s such an honour to be a part of others’ journey. This photo was taken at one of my favourite spots in Banff. It’s called the “Surprise Corner” viewpoint, and it really is so fitting for me this 2021, it’s such a ‘surprise’ to have my hands this full! #grateful #thanksgiving2021 #singledadlife Elsa hat made by @total.knitcase
I can't believe it has taken more than a decade to I can't believe it has taken more than a decade to complete my family, but it was worth the wait. Neptune Nina Mei-Yun Chan, was born August 20th at 6:13am, 6 lbs 15 oz, with the help of an extraordinary surrogate and an egg donor. She couldn't be any more perfect - she has a squishy face, she's the most vocal of my three children, was born the largest of the three, and has shown the broadest range of facial expressions of the three. These photos were all taken at the hospital within the first 12 hours after birth. My heart is full and I have nothing by gratitude to the women who have helped me, and to our Lord Almighty who showed so much mercy and protected Neptune Nina and guided her earthside in this tumultuous pandemic. Photo: @racheljohansenphotography #Surrogacyagency - @proudfertility #eggdonationagency - @proudeggdonation #prouddad #surrogacyjourney #familydream #evenmiraclestakealittletime
I’ve dreamed for a decade that I’d have a litt I’ve dreamed for a decade that I’d have a little girl whom I’d take to her first dance 💃 class in her cute little outfit 👗 And that dream was fulfilled today. Nanette was so excited about her first dance class, and was giddy about it all day. There is a little part of me that does hope she might become Odette in Swan Lake, or Clara in the Nutcracker one day, but if that is not her calling, then I will have been satisfied knowing that I gave my little girl the right 👠 shoes to conquer the world. #daddreams #familydreams #primaballerina #singledadlife
FROM OUT OF THIS WORLD, and this is not a joke bec FROM OUT OF THIS WORLD, and this is not a joke because it’s not April right now! … I’m so excited to share that Nanette will be having a little sister!!! Like I said in the video “it’s actually pink!!!!!!” None of this would be possible without our egg donor and our surrogate. Your generosity and kindness will never be forgotten, I’m forever indebted to you. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be so blessed to become a father of 3, but I guess this is actually happening. Yes, this was a very intentional process and I didn’t accidentally get another woman pregnant but my baby girl is being grown by her own ‘tummy-mommy’, a gestational surrogate. A gestational surrogate shares no genetic connection to the baby she’s carrying. I know this is so ‘out of this world’ and I have to pinch myself- is this happening??? I am so grateful that Nanette has a little sister. Cannons: @bellebeauconfetti.co Edible Tower: @sweetstemsco Photography: @racheljohansenphotography Surrogacy & Egg Donation Consultancy: @proudfertility #genderreveal #singledaddybychoice #gestationalsurrogacy
How often do you look at the mirror? What I can te How often do you look at the mirror? What I can tell you is that I look into the mirror less and less as I age. I no longer put that pomade in the palms of my hand and run it in my hair, only to look into the mirror to make sure it’s applied throughout the whole head. I barely look into the mirror to make sure my outfit is still presentable, as I just want to get clothed quickly and get my kids ready as we have to be off somewhere. What I do notice is how we have been looking into the mirror as a family. Nanette loves it when we bathe her little brother in the sink. There before us, is the mirror where we look at the image reflected. I notice my now 8 week old very curious of his own image in the mirror. ‘Who is that in the mirror?’ he probably asks. Mirrors reflect light which allows them to reflect the world around them. Spiritually, light is a powerful symbol of wisdom and awareness and as a consequence, mirrors are symbols and carriers of truth and reflect what our truth is. Throughout the ages, mirrors are believed to have predicted the future, captured and transported souls, and reflected far more than the just the present user’s image. Mirrors have served as metaphors with myriad meanings, as symbols of divinity and power, implements of distortion, and tools for self-reflection. So here I am, reflecting on my journey it took to get to here… as I sit quietly watching my 3 year old get her Sunday morning massage. No mirrors are around me, but I use my social media as an outlet to self-reflect how I am feeling as an individual and as a father. There are so many parts of this life journey and my journey as a father that is so unsettling but I take this morning’s self-réflection as a time to just be present. #wanderingsofthemind #existentialreflection #fatherhoodislit #singledadlife #singledaddybychoice
As I celebrate my fourth Father’s Day this year, As I celebrate my fourth Father’s Day this year, I reflect upon what it took for me to have my two little ones. It took a long eleven years to fulfill my family dreams, and while I wish it would have taken a lot less time, I fully acknowledge that I appreciate becoming a father more, because it took so much longer. Afterall, they say the best things in life are worth waiting for! While Father’s Day for many is about honouring the men who play an important role in our lives, Father’s Day for me in particular is a time for me to be grateful to all the women who have come into our lives - our Egg Donors and our Surrogate Angels who have helped me become a Father in such an unconventional way. Becoming a parent through egg donation and surrogacy in Canada has been a humbling experience. It doesn’t matter what my background is, what personal successes I have accomplished, but it was through the generosity of these women that it has taught me to be humble, grateful and compassionate. #fatherhoodunplugged #surrogacyjourney Photo: @racheljohansenphotography
Newton Teen-Chi Chan turned out completely fine - Newton Teen-Chi Chan turned out completely fine - born May 29th, despite some rather serious concerns. I was quite worried but I couldn’t be more grateful for the fact that all the ultrasounds were wrong (thank God!). He came in at 6 lbs 7oz (38th percentile). We had expected him to be a ‘fragile’ baby, measuring at the 2nd percentile, who had stopped growing for the past three weeks and we were told we needed him out ASAP . Even the paediatrician who was asked to be there at surgery said this was such a pleasant surprise. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 I am so grateful to our family, our wonderful egg donor and our incredible surrogate. I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you also to your wonderful families who supported you in this journey to grow my family and who selflessly sacrificed along with you. I am grateful to God for being my ever present help during this time and for bringing my baby boy safely into this world despite all the fears and uncertainty. God is good. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10 So this adventure begins... 💙 @proudfertility @proudeggdonation @pridesurrogacy @singledaddybychoice
When time stands still. I’m not sure there coul When time stands still. I’m not sure there could ever be a greater day in your life, than the day you first hold your child. Literally nothing else matters in that moment. Not work, not stress, not the honey-do list, nothing except being there and being present. Feeling their warm, tiny bodies cuddled against you. The sounds of their fragile exhales. The rise and fall of their little chests. The tiniest of heartbeats. For years I struggled in my fertility journey to get here. Being a single parent and a man made this even harder. I investigated every avenue. So many harsh doors shut in my face. Until I found out about surrogacy and egg donation. They were the lights to my path and gave me hope to finally becoming a dad. This journey hasn’t been an easy one. There have been failed retrievals, failed embryo transfers, and miscarriages. The women who were my egg donors and surrogate angels continued to give me hope despite all the obstacles and setbacks. Holding my precious child, the gift of parenthood, is the best moment of my life. It will always be part of the bigger story of the sacrifice and gift of egg donation and surrogacy. Nanette is now three and not a day goes by that I don’t think on this. Thank you to the wonderful woman who blessed us on our path. I am eternally grateful and humbled. 🌈 💝
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