Spring is definitely sprung, and it's the perfect time to welcome a new brood of adorable kiddos to the GWK community!

Ben & Dane and Ru, Australia

Dads Ben and Dane had been trying for many years to start their family before little Rupert (Ru) came into their lives. They looked into adoption, but instead, Dane's beautiful sister, who's also his best friend, donated her eggs for the couple to create a baby that would be a mix of both of their genes.

"We then found a surrogate here in Australia that became our friend through the process," Dane said. "It was a perfect water birth on January 14th, 2022. We are both from Newcastle NSW a city 2 hours from Sydney. Rupert was born in the Gold Coast Queensland where our surrogate lives."

The first time the dads got to hold him they said it was "so surreal." "Everything we both dreamt of," Dane said. "He came out looking like me, which was funny because it was Ben's sperm and he has strong dark features."

Baby Ru was born with blonde hair blue eyes and 100% perfect. The dads said being parents is amazing. "A love like no other and a feeling of completion, until we have another lol!"

Follow Ben and Dane @daneanthonytowns

 Justin, Leigh, and Owen, Australia

Melbourne dads Justin and Leigh have been together for 10 years and always talked about having a family, but they never thought it would be possible for so many reasons.

"We started our journey four years ago with a failed surrogacy journey within Australia, we decided it was time to venture overseas," Justin said. "It was never an easy road, nor is it for any couple wanting to start a family, but we didn’t give up. We are so glad we didn’t because now we couldn’t imagine not having him with us every day."

The dads said it was very emotional and overwhelming holding their baby for the first time. "There are so many things that go through your mind when you're about to meet your baby but when they're in your arms it’s like is this real? Is he ours?" Justin said.

For Leigh, it was a moment that will be forever treasured. "It’s the first time you're waiting for them to open their eyes, give you a cheeky smile and say hello," he said. "There were definitely a lot of tears the moment we held him and it was hard to put him down to sleep without being in our arms."

Baby Owen was born on the 8th March 2022 in Melbourne, Australia

Follow this family @twodadsonebaby

Angelo & LaThomas and Baby Maestro, Las Vegas NV

New dads LaThomas and Angelo have known they wanted a family since they met 8 years ago. The couple were married in 2017 and started their research on the journey to parenthood straight away. In 2020, they began moving forward by choosing an egg donor and creating embryos to form their family via surrogacy.

"We were told it could take some time, but our journey went fairly quickly," LaThomas said. "We matched with our surrogate in March 2021 and on April 19, 2021, our embryo was transferred. April 29, we had a confirmed pregnancy! Maestro was born December 15, 2021, in Bogota, Colombia."

The dads said it was surreal holding their son for the first time, and it felt as though they were dreaming. "We have both been waiting our whole lives to become fathers." Angelo said. "Maestro is now 3 months old and we still can’t believe it."

"We would like to add to those wanting to or preparing to go through their journey, remain patient and trust the process," they said. "Joy is in the end!"

Follow these dads @starring_lathomas and @mr_brimmdavis

Elad & Andrey and Michaela, Israel

Baby Michaela was born to dads Elad and Andrey in Israel on January 14th, 2022.

New Dad Andrey said holding their daughter for the first time was exciting and overwhelming at the same time, and it made them feel "full of joy and fulfillment."

Follow these dads @elad.z

Justin & Chris and twins Malia & Augustus, St. Louis, Missouri

You may remember dads Chris and Justin from this story, when their family stepped up to help them afford surrogacy. Well, they've finally welcomed their gorgeous twins Malia and Augustus to the world!

Justin and Chris met when they were both 21 years old. They have been married for about six years, and are dads to big brother Elijah. Twins Malia and Augustus were born at 12:48 & 12:49 pm on March 29, 2022. Augustus weighed 5 pounds 11 ounces, while Malia was 5 pounds 4 ounces.

"Our hearts are filled with pure love and joy!" the dads said. "Twins are twice the love, but half the sleep 🤪😴"

Follow them @twodapperdads  

Alex & Alex and Mia, Midland, Texas

They're husbands with a lot in common. Not only are they both named Alex, they also both work as engineers in the oil and gas industry in Texas, and now they're both proud dads to sweet baby Mia!

"Alex Squared," as they're affectionately known, have been together for 11 years. They said growing their family was something they talked about and dreamed about throughout their relationship, but it wasn’t until four years ago that they started proactively planning to welcome a baby.

"At the time, adoption was the choice we selected, but we ultimately didn’t get placed with a little one during our two-year contract. Seeing our struggles and with an open heart, Alex’s (@a.mattey) sister graciously offered us the gift of a lifetime, to be our gestational surrogate!"

The dads said every pregnancy is a rollercoaster of emotions and theirs was no different. Their daughter Mia was born on February 26th, 2022.

"Holding her in our arms after birth and doing skin-to-skin was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we’ll treasure forever," one of the Alex's said. "From a family of two to a family of five (check out our fur babies @lexandlily_thegoldens), we are enjoying all the precious moments of fatherhood."

For those looking to grow their family, Alex Squared's advice would be to focus on love and patience.

Follow the other Alex @alex_ttu

Mike & Phil and Benjamin, Indianapolis, Indiana

Mike and Phil first met in 2011 when they were living in Chicago, and they got married there in 2016. The husbands welcomed their adorable son Benjamin on April 12th, 2022 in Indianapolis.

"We made the move to Indiana in 2019 because we knew we wanted to start a family and the suburbs of Indy seemed like the perfect place for us," Mike said. "We started our surrogacy journey in 2018 and we were so excited to be dads. However, it ended up being a much more difficult path for us than we were expecting."

Both their first and second surrogates were unable to get pregnant, and the couple was devastated. Thankfully in spring 2021, they were matched with a wonderful woman who specifically wanted to work with a local same-sex couple.

"It was such an incredible experience for us to be there with her for every appointment and ultrasound," Phil said. "As bad as things were before, that’s how good they suddenly became. Getting to hold Benny for the first time was the greatest joy of our lives!"

Follow these dads @mikezemelko

Matthieu & Tyler and Jace, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Dads Matthieu and Tyler adopted their son Jace via private adoption after they were approached by a family friend who was having a child and was not ready to be a parent. 

"We were approached last May and immediately jumped into action to make it happen," Matthieu said. "We contacted our lawyer who specialized in same-sex couples and adoption processes, who was fantastic to work with. Then we contacted an agency about our Home Studies."

With the private adoption, Tyler said they experienced adoption as a pretty easy process. They flew to Dallas, TX from our home on September 21, 2021, and on September 23 they welcomed Jace into the world. 

"We were lucky enough to both be able to be in the delivery room and be there for the birth mother the whole time," Tyler said. "We only stayed in the hospital for 24 hours and were able to our hotel suite for the next 8 days. We had to wait for the ok to go home from the ICPC."