We really didn't realize what we were getting into with this contest.
It was impossible for The Evymamas to know just how many men out there rise to the challenge of New Fatherhood with love, strength, compassion, kindness, and wisdom! (And just how many of those do ALL the cooking, cleaning, and diapers!!!)
We heard from spouses and friends of men who put careers on the backburner, or made sweeping life changes for the better. We heard tell of men who put aside their personal wants and needs to support, nurture, and protect their familes. We read several stories of loss, of illness, and of miracles.
In short, it was nearly impossible to choose only one winner.
We felt compelled to create a runners-up category, comprised of no less than 9 fantastic new daddies, given that there were so very many worthy entries. Runners-up will receive a gift certificate for 30.00 off of an Ergo baby carrier, good for online or in-store purchases from Evymama.
To all the fathers who were entered in the contest: Know that you are loved and that your devotion to your new family is truly appreciated!
Happy Father's Day to ALL the fathers out there who always put family first!
And the winner of Evymama's "The Best New Daddy in Canada" Contest is...
DEMIAN T. of Mississauga, fantastic father to baby James and partner extraordinaire to Elizabeth B. who lovingly entered him into this contest.
From the winning entry:
"...Demian and I tried a LONG time to have a baby. After three years of crying together and many doctors' appointments, IVF finally worked for us.
Our precious baby James was born 4 weeks early, on June 19th 2009, after I'd been in the hospital a week with high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia). Due to all the medication I was given, I was completely out of sorts for the first few days after the C-section once james was born. He was unable to breastfeed due to his tongue-tie, so Demian tube-fed him with his finger with my pumped breastmilk for the first few days while I rested and recuperated as much as possible.
He continued to tube-feed him when we brought James home in lieu of giving him a bottle for fear it would interfere with breastfeeding. He cried with baby James and me in frustration when we took him to Dr. Newman's clinic and they tried every strategy possible to get him to latch. They found his tongue-tie, which had been clipped, had grown back. I continued to pump at home and Demian continued to help with the feedings.
James is now a year old. This will be Demian's second Father's Day. His first was spent with 2-day-old James in hospital last year.
Since that time, not only has he helped me feed him, he's spent many days and weeks planting us an amazing organic garden of our own so baby James can have fresh produce to consume every day and through the Summer and Fall.
James is VERY attached to his daddy and I credit this to the early tube-feeding sessions they shared in his first days and weeks. What a way to bond.
He has gone out of his way to give James the love, affection, and attention he so deserves and needs to grow and thrive. He's also been amazing at taking care of me this past year (he does all the amazing cooking!) so that I, home every day with James, can feel rested and nourished enough to be the best mother I can be to him. Boy, do we love him so!"
Demian wins the Ergo baby carrier grand prize!
And the runners-up are:
Mark B. of Toronto, father to Stella
Wilkins L. of Toronto, father of baby born Oct. 5 2009
John G. of Toronto, father to Joseph G.
Jonathan W. of Markham, father to Waverly W.
Colin K of Roberts Creek, father to Kalea and Cody
Harry H. of Toronto, father to Hazel, Halley and Hera
Jonathan R. of Toronto, father to Graham and Wesley
Alex M. of Toronto, father to Cameron
Chris H. of Toronto, father to Emmalee
Congratulations and Happy Father's Day!
Contest winner and runners-up will be emailed and/or called regarding prizes. Evymama is open from 12-5 on Father's Day June 20th, 2010.
All the best from The Evymamas.
Evymama Nursing & Maternity
266 Jane Street
Toronto, ON
M6S3Z2
416.913.0546
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