Two born, one to go for the gay dads growing an instant family with three surrogates
it was only three months ago that they realised their dream of having their first child.
Now luke harris and Daryl lee are celebrating the birth of their second baby. and the gay couple are due to become fathers for the third time in just a few weeks after controversially enlisting the help of three surrogate mothers.
Showing off baby number two for the first time, the civil partners told how their rapidly expanding brood has left them exhausted but elated.
the latest addition is daughter Willow-Star Shirley harris-lee. She was born a healthy 7lb at surrogate mother Viktoria Ellis’s home on February 25 – after a 25-minute labour that was so quick the gay dads’ were woken by a text message saying: ‘Your little girl is here!’
First child Phoenix Blue harrislee – a boy – was born naturally on January 14 after a 16-hour induced labour, weighing 7lb 15oz. her surrogate mother was Bex harris, Viktoria’s best friend. Baby number three – known to be a boy – is being carried by Bex’s sister-in-law Becky harris and is due in July. the birth will mean Mr harris – who is not related to the two mothers – and Mr lee will have completed their family of three within seven months.
Mr harris, 51, a computer programmer from Surrey, said: ‘Going from having an empty home to having two precious babies in a such a short period has been a whirlwind, but even after weeks of feeding on demand we feel overjoyed.
‘We are relishing every moment of becoming dads. We spent 15 years fearing we’d never be able to have children, so while at times, as every parent knows, you are completely knackered, the sense of elation far outweighs any negatives.’
he described becoming fathers as ‘life-affirming and life-changing’ for himself and Mr lee, 41, a dentist,
‘We now truly understand what unconditional love means – the only downside is that we don’t go to the pub any more!’ said Mr harris. ‘We now don’t look at ourselves as a couple, we are a family unit, and fiercely protective of our little clan.’
Willow- Star was delivered by Viktoria’s neighbour in Suffolk, who happens to be Bex’s mother, Karen harris, who also runs the internet surrogacy forum where the women and fathers met.
Mr harris and Mr lee drove there as soon as they could.
‘When we arrived at Viktoria’s house our beautiful daughter was snuggled up in blankets, looking so tiny and vulnerable and she was absolutely perfect in every way,’ Mr harris said.
after a hospital check-up, the couple took Willow home to meet Phoenix, who was born using Bex’s eggs and Mr lee’s sperm. as Willow was created using Viktoria’s eggs and Mr harris’s sperm, they are not biologically connected.
the couple’s, as yet unborn, son was created using Mr lee’s sperm, meaning he will be Phoenix’s halfbrother. But Mr harris said: ‘as far as we’re concerned Phoenix and Willow-Star are brother and sister and that’s how they’ll be brought up.
‘While we may not meet some people’s idea of a traditional family, all our children will be cherished in a stable, loving environment.’
the couple met in 1999 and became civil partners in 2012. they looked into adoption before deciding to have children using surrogate mothers, after reading about Sir Elton John and David Furnish becoming fathers through surrogacy.
Mr lee admits to being a little daunted over the arrival of a third baby but says: ‘We have no doubt we will take it all in our stride.’
... and the third will be here in July