Meet Vern Yip's Son Gavin Joshua Mannox

01/18/2010 at 07:00 PM ET
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He may be only 2-weeks-old, but Gavin Joshua Mannox is already a fantastic flyer, says new dad Vern Yip.

“Gavin was a dream on the airplane,” the Design Star judge tells PEOPLE of his son, who was born via surrogate to Vern and his partner on Jan. 6th. “This kid was born to travel … which is lucky for his two peripatetic parents. We’re already planning our first trip with him to Asia!”

The designer says his interest in Asian culture inspired the decor in Gavin’s nursery.

“The image you see in the picture is a painting I commissioned for the nursery,” explains Vern. “It’s based on a story that a monk in Bhutan told us during our journey there and features all four of our dogs.”

“The nursery is unlike any other nursery I’ve ever seen before and very reflective of us,” he adds. “Lots of things brought back from trips to the most remote corners of the world. We really want our son to grow up aware of different cultures.”

Courtesy Vern Yip for use on CBB

Click below to see two more photos of Gavin!

Courtesy Vern Yip for use on CBB
Courtesy Vern Yip for use on CBB

FILED UNDER: Babies , News , Parenting

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Showing 137 comments

pam on

What a cutie. I am very happy for Vern and his partner. I hope they post pics of Gavin periodically so we can see this precious boy more often.

Mom*of*boys on

Awee Congrats to all! He is gorgeous.

RIP Michael on

Aw he is so precious!!! I want a baby!

Luna on

He’s such a sweetie! I think it’s great that Vern and his partner have a baby together. This just makes my heart melt.

Erin on

I love the painting on the wall behind them, it feels very “Vern”!? Gavin is a cutie! Happy for all.

Liliana on

What a sweetie!

Kimberlee Chrisman on

Awww, what beautiful child, with no mommy.

Sam and Freya's mum on

He’s beautiful. Not keen on his name (Gavin’s old fashioned to me, not that that matters, don’t like the ring to it either personally) but main thing is that they obviously like it, lol. Never heard of this guy before, being downunder in little ‘ole NZ, but congrats to him & his partner. What cute pics!

mary on

I am so in love:) I also love the painting. I want that done for my kids room.

iluvallbabies on

Kimberlee what a strange comment!

Casandra on

Awww, what beautiful child, with no mommy.

Awww, yes! How terrible that the baby has two loving parents who will give him all the love he needs.

PUH-LEASE

torgster on

Poster #7, are you trying to be funny or what?

thursday on

I agree with you Kimberlee,what a beautiful child with no mommy.Well folks it’s true the kid has no mommy.He has two daddies that really really wanted him and will no doubt take care of him and love him and dote on him….but fact is he has no mommy.

casmir on

Beautiful child. Long avid fan of Vern’s since Trading Spaces. Hope he won’t be a stay-at-home dad and will return to his HGTV’s shows, Deserving Design (although, for the record, I’d think he’d showcase his talent in a more interesting substantial venue) and judge on Design Star.

debbie on

Who needs mommy if they have an attitude like Poster # 7.
I would take 2 dads over her a million times. People like that, dont have too much up there, so let her be..
Gavin is gorgeous.. Congrats to the happy couple and their new baby son. God bless.

Devon on

Just ignore poster #7, you know she’s just trying to start something. The baby is cute!

Allison on

There always has to be one ignorant comment.

Brooke on

#7…..Gavin will be loved and showered with happiness…Terrible thing to say

Moore on

We’ve all been on the internet long enough to know when to just ignore a troll comment we don’t like. Why make a big deal out of it?
After all it is true. The child has no mommy. Some kids have two, some have one, others have none. It’s a fact and nothing new. Let’s move on.
I love this child’s sweater and he is adorable. I’d love to see what the whole nursery looks like.

crimpe on

What a beautiful baby and daddy. Would love to see photos of baby and both daddies. Vern looks unbelievably happy, and why not? Look at that gorgeous baby, looking back at him in wonder! Such beautiful pictures.

squirlgirl on

Adorable! I always like Vern on Trading Spaces. I’m sure him and his partner will be great, loving parents.

Donna-Faye on

God Bless the 3 of you. He is a beautiful baby. I love your designs.

christina on

Beautiful baby! Wonderful post!

fuzibuni on

when i hear surrogacy stories i do wonder if the newborns go through separation anxiety from their birth mothers. but i guess it’s no different than a child who is adopted. perhaps there are ways to help ease the anxiety for them.

many gay couples turn to surrogacy because they don’t have the legal right to adopt in the united states. as laws begin to change (which they inevitably will) i believe we’ll see a rise in adoption rates.

Erika on

Cute pictures and cute baby!!

I agree with poster 7, personally. No offense to people without 2 heterosexual parents, but I feel like I would have grown up knowing something was missing if I didn’t have a mother and father. But not my choice. And no doubt they will care for him and love him!

Margot on

Oh, what a precious little boy! It makes me so impatient for my bub to be born!!

I’d love to see some pictures of the nursery, it sounds really interesting.

Moore on

fuzibuni, I think about that as well. Babies are born knowing “mama”, the person who carried them, they know the voice, the smell, all of that so from what I’ve read on it, yea there is a separation there but eventually it wouldn’t matter anymore. It sounds bad but its the truth.

Erika, I don’t think you can miss what you never had. He might wonder what its like to have a mother but he probably wont miss it and therefore probably wont see his situation as flawed.

Lily on

Awww, he’s gorgeous. I am so happy for vern, I know he’s going to be an awesome Dad.

Catey on

Would rather have two daddies who love each other and teach tolerance and kindness than the unhappy mummy and daddy I grew up with or growing up with a parent who has the belief that unless you fit the mould, you are unnatural. Uncalled for Kimberley.

So happy that after what was probably a long time waiting, Vern and his partner have their son. He is beyond precious and I LOVE the painting of the monk in the background, like a mythical fairytale!

Paige on

Beautiful little boy. And I’m sure the entire nursery is gorgeous. If I could hire any designer to decorate my home it would be Vern.

God bless him, his partner, and little Gavin.

cecily on

I really like his name. Just curious, but how is Sam a modern name — when it dates back to the friggen Bible — and Gavin not?

cecily on

And this child is obviously loved and wanted and will feel secure in that love. Mommy or no mommy.

Electra on

The benefit of having a “mommy” is having someone to love you, coddle you and make you feel secure. He has that in the form of two male parents and I’m sure that he’ll get that “tender touch” from grandmas and aunts if for some reason his two dads lack it.

Angi on

That baby is going to be cherished and loved every single second of his life. Who cares about the parent’s genders! That little tiny boy was wanted and that is all that matters.

Kelly on

So adorable seeing Vern with a baby it brought tears to my eyes. So wonderful that he was able to find a way to become a parent. Congrats to Vern and his family. And love the name; I had a baby boy this past summer who’s name is Joshua Henry πŸ™‚

cris on

Cecily…I thought the same thing based on the name of post #8 (Sam and Freya’s mom) I would not consider Sam and especially Freya to be anything but old fashioned…not modern)

About Gavin…he is an absolute doll, and yes, I would have liked to have seen more of the mural as well! I loved the portion that we could see with the dogs!

mp on

What a cute baby! Vern, bring Gavin and your partner to my house to help me remodel my kitchen! I’ll babysit.

Patty on

Vern, I am so happy for you and your partner. What a blessing. I think your son is going to be so blessed with all of your love. I loved you on Trading Spaces and all of your other shows. You will definitely have a great life. God Bless You All.

Rye on

I would rather have two parents that love eachother regardless of the genders then have one of each gender that can’t stand eachother but tolerate the union because of the kids.

Gay couples are JUST as capable and loving as straight couples and people are ignorant about the whole, “he won’t have a mommy” issue. The surrogate who they chose most likely didn’t use her own eggs and the baby isn’t going to feel less loved for not having a mother in his life. I am sure he will have plenty of wonderful women around him adoring & nurturing him.

God, some people tick me off on this kind of issue…who cares what two people in love want to do with there lives? are they hurting anyone? are they murdering anyone? NO! they are being responsible people and they have that right.

RIP Michael on

Lol…true he has no mommy living with him but hopefully he has grandmoms, lots of aunts, etc to balance all the testosterone πŸ™‚

Sunshine on

Gavin is absolutely precious – congrats to Vern and his partner!

I completely agree with Debbie, above, comment #15.

Summer on

Aww he is so cute!!

CelebBabyLover on

What a cutie pie! πŸ™‚

JJ on

With this stupid gay parent debate, what the intolerant people seem to forget is that not every heterosexual person should be parents or are good parents. Just because biology allows you to easily procreate does not mean you should just go ahead and do it.

Gay couples can’t just have a child. They need to plan it, the need to want it. They need to fight to be able to adopt or go through a surrogate (or for Lesbians a sperm donor). It would take years for gay couples dreams of parenthood to become a reality and you can bet that their children will be loved and wanted.

A child needs to be loved and provided for. It doesn’t matter who their parents are – a man and a woman, two men, 2 women, a single parent, grandparents. I grew up with an angry bitter mother who has made me the self conscious, anti-social person I am today. Would baby Gavin better off with a mother like that than two loving fathers? I think not.

People need to worry about their own lives.

GiannaG on

Are people really allowing a foolish comment by an obvious troll to hijack this thread? When someone is so unhappy with their lives and filled with negativity that they’re just bursting to let it out on people who are enjoying their lives, you feel pity for them (and those unfortunate enough to be around folks like Kimberlee Chrisman) and move on.

That is one beautiful baby! He seems made for snuggling.

Helen and Dan McWilliams on

Vern and partner – the only thing that matters to a baby and child is that it is loved and wanted very much –a lot grow up with no Mom or Dad-or ones that hate each other and baby is always in the middle -all kids need all they love they can get and I know their are lots of grandma ,aunts ,uncles and cousin waiting to give all their love ,too And the name is great –my grandsons name is Gavin!!My God bless a new happy and healthy baby into your lives!!

Sophie on

I’m curious about the comment that Gavins name is old fashioned, because like other posters have commented Sam is from the bible and Freya is the old norse goddess of love both very old fashioned names. In comparison Gavin is actually quite a modern name. (I’m not having a go or anything and I’m defo not trying to start an argument I just find it a very odd comment)

That is such a beautiful little boy, you can see he is surrounded by love and people who will teach him tolerance and understanding and that is what is important and what will help him grow as a person. It doesn’t matter what the sexual orientation of the parents are because that is not what makes you a good or a bad parent.

natalie on

God bless this family…..everyone deserves to know true love and the joys of parenthood!

Alice on

I too would love to see the whole nursery! It must be gorgeous, just like little Gav’!

Sara on

How utterly precious! I love his sweater! No doubt this baby will be very loved. I love Vern to death and I’m sure his partner is a good man. Good for them! God bless them and their sweet family.

Shannon on

#s 39 and 44- well said! Completely agree with you both. People need to let it go. I’d much rather see two gay men who are happy and in love and committed to each other have a baby than most of the heterosexual couples I know. Just because a person is straight does NOT make them more capable as a parent.

Gavin is an absolute doll baby! He is so snuggly, and I love seeing Vern’s face-he is so obviously happy and completely in love. The nursery sounds beautiful, but this is Vern- what else would it be? He could do my home any time!

Lis on

Comparing two gay parents who are full of love, etc. to two hetero parents who have an unhappy union in hardly a valid argument. Compare apples to apples: gay parents in love vs hetero parents in love, and vice versa.

There is a reason it takes a man and a woman to make a baby…

JJ on

How exactly is it not a valid argument Lis? You seem to have written a lot of words without any substance whatsoever.

Heather on

#52 Lis: It may take a male and a female to make a baby but that’s not necessarily what it takes to raise and love one.

I absolutely loved Vern on Trading Spaces – always dreamed he’d be the one in charge of my fantasy house makeover haha! His son is adorable! Congrats to him and his partner on their little bundle of joy πŸ™‚

Jessica on

Beautiful baby.

As for the comment “you can’t miss what you never had”, that is so not true. My father died when I was an infant so I have no memory of him, but I miss having a father everyday!!! I watch my children, especially my daughter, with my husband and my heart aches for the relationship I didn’t get to have. I’m thrilled for any baby to have loving parents, but no one will ever convince me that there will be no harm done to children in families like this. I believe children need a mother and a father. Both bring completly different impacts into the child’s life.

Mama Llama on

What a cute baby! And I love that sweater he is wearing.

Hallie on

Okay, Lis…comparing same-sex couples in love to heterosexual couples in love: both sound great to me! Regardless, baby is SO loved and wanted, so it’s a win-win in my eyes πŸ™‚

I absolutely love how many people have come to the defense of Vern and his partner in this thread. It’s so refreshing and gives me HOPE that one day *soon* homosexuality won’t make people bat an eye at all!

Sara on

I agree with Lis. I will never understand why every time the hetero vs. gay parents debate comes up everyone starts comparing good, loving gay parents to bad, abusive hetero parents.
I wish people would stop giving extreme examples to get their point across, this is not the first time I read this kind of comments on this site.
And I don’t see anything ignorant is Kimberlee’s comment either. She’s right, this baby does not have a mommy. How is saying that ignorant?

Michele on

I said it on the original post and I will say it again – CONGRATULATIONS to Vern and his partner! They have been blessed with a beautiful baby. I’m sure they will be great parents, as Vern is a lovely person (I ran into him once a few years ago).

JJ on

#58. The reason some people compare is because other people assume that because the child is being raised with same-sex parents they are going to be missing out on something – and that simply isn’t true.

Kimberlee’s comment may not have been ignorant but it was made purely in spite. We know the baby doesn’t have a mother – we can all read. It was made to start an argument and sadly it succeeded.

Oh and I’m glad this ‘isn’t the first time you’ve read this kind of comment in this site’ because it means there are lots of tolerant and loving people out there who understand that parenthood is about a heck of a lot more than the couples’ sexual status.

Hea on

Oh my, look at all that LOVE! That little boy is gorgeous and I am so happy for his daddies sake. Is his other daddy famous too or is it “just” Yip?

CTBmom on

Gorgeous pics! How wonderful for Vern and his partner to have this beautiful little guy in their lives. No doubt Gavin will be cherished and raised knowing how much he was wanted.

Simone on

Well iam glad someone made the no mommy comment because i wonderd why there is no pic with mommy in it…thanks to the comment i know now!!!

True he will be loved but its a boy and it never fails that boys tend to be more attatched to their mom just like girls to their dad…of course there are millions of single parents that have no other choice but to raise their children alone(good old fashioned mom/dad household) but come on you dont need to do it on purpose!!!!

I have nothing about gay adoptions,surrogate etc. but maybe they should have went for a girl instead since you can choose the gender in modern medicine.

Olivia on

Beautiful baby! Vern seems like such a kind and generous person, I’m sure he will be a wonderful father.

ruby on

I think that the real issue here is the idea that it takes a woman to raise a healthy child, not necessarily. Both men and women are capable of raising happy, healthy children. Not having a mother in the home does not mean that he has no women in his life who will be there for him.
Give credit where credit is due- this child is beautiful and these two men are just as capable of raising him to be a wonderful man as a child living in a home with a man and a woman.

Brandi on

What a beautiful baby he is.

Hea on

Simone – Is there something wrong with me then? I’m a 24 year old woman and I’ve always been more close to my mother. I’m close to my father too but still. Perhaps I’m transsexual and don’t even know it? Sheesh.
Did you stop to think that maybe that does not apply to children who’ve never had a mother or a father?

aurora mia on

Dont you think we live in an amazing world? One, that two people (gay, straight, green, purple) can choose to devote their lives to child? Shouldnt we, as a their community, celebrate and support their decision to adopt? When you look into babies faces, dont you just want so much love and understanding bestowed on them and not critize who and perhaps, what, their parents are? I think we should all consider ourselves before we are so quick to judge.

brannon on

Most of this post scares me. As for the article – beautiful love story. Very happy for this new family. Gavin is absolutely adorable.

Erica on

Gavin is such a beautiful baby. I love Vern, he has such a calm and sweet demeanor which I am sure will translate into being a great father. I am jealous of that mural though. πŸ™‚

sar on

Wow some of the comments on here are just so ridiculous it’s funny. I just want to chime in and say I know children who have HORRID mothers, so bad that they they call their moms by their first names and not mom. All a child needs is loving parents Man or Woman. Think of all the children in the foster system who would kill for just one parent to love them.

aurora mia on

well said, Sar.

Kathie on

I lost my husband when my kids were 3 months old and 2 years old. Should a picture of them get posted online with a small blurb about our story, it would really piss me off if one of the first 10 comments was ‘cute kids. no daddy’. For those of you who say #7s comment isn’t offensive, I maintain that it is.

Andrea_momof2 on

I don’t know if some of you have “daddy” issues or even issues with your husbands but there’s no doubt in my mind that men can be JUST as loving to their children as women.

TracyG on

I am a foster parent and I can bet that most of the kids that have come into my home would say that they would most certainly be better off with 2 loving dads, then their crack abusing, drug using, negligent mothers. Kimberlee’s comment was ignorance and homophobic at it’s highest…..

Congrats to Vern and his partner on the birth of their adorable son. His name is adorable and I’d just like to add that for someone who says repeatedly that she’s “not judging”, Sam and Freya’s mom has a great history of doing just that when it comes to names. :S

JM on

apart from anything else i would like to see some evidence suggesting that girls tend to be closer to their dads and boys closer to their mums. seems a rather rash statement to me and i doubt that it is true as it is not something that sound scientifically verifiable and is hence just an opinion.

moreover, i understand the poster saying their dad died when they were young an missing him, but that’s different. if your dad dies when you were young you grow up knowing there was a person there who was meant to be your dad, ready to be your dad and was SUPPOSED to raise you and fully intended to. and if he dies that is cruelly taken away from you.
nothing has been taken away from gavin. his two parents are his two dads, as far as i am aware there isn’t a woman who was ever supposed to be his mother and who intended to be his mother and was then taken away from him. it was always planned that he be raised by these two men.

and finally, i have still yet, in all the many many times i have witessed such debates, to see a single genuine, cohesive, sensible, rational and verifiable argument that explains WHY gay people shouldn’t raise kids? if anyone here could give me one such reason then we can have a debate, until then i can’t help but see the naysayers as ignorant, homophobic and irrational bigots.

Ashleigh on

A little boy is born to two loving parents and there’s controversy? How foolish!

Nowhere is it a requirement that a child must have a mother in order to grow successfully in mind and body. On the topic of parenting, men can offer just as much as women. In my own life, I am friends with five gay couples who’ve decided to add children to their families. Three of these couples are comprised of two fathers and their children are happy, healthy, and thriving. I would save my concern for Gavin and instead focus on the wonderful life he’ll embark on with the two people that love him most; his dads.

Regarding my own, personal experience, my mother gave birth to me and that’s all the credit I or anyone else gives her. She would sporadically appear in my life every few years and then quickly leave to get drunk or high. Thankfully, the disturbances stopped and I haven’t seen her since I was 10. Growing up, my father and grandfather were my primary caretakers. They nurtred my siblings and I and never failed to remind us of how much were were loved.

Call me crazy but I fail to see how what a person has or doesn’t have between their legs can dictate a better or worse parent.

Mariana on

Vern Yip is successful, has money and if he wanted a baby, he will probably make a wonderful father. If the other alternative is that this precious little baby will spend years in foster care or in an orphanage, how can you not be happy that an innocent child has found a home? Hopefully Vern has a mother or sisters who can fill in that maternal role for baby Gavin throughout his life. Best of luck to them.

Tina on

Kimberlee made such an ignorant comment! And as a surrogate I can tell you the little boy I had for a family had NO separation anxienty when his mopther watched him being born then held him. If you don’t know anything about surrogacy please don’t comment on it.

This child has not just 1 but 2 parents that WANT him. True he has no mother but that does not guarantee happines! There are a lot of children out there that would be better off without their mother (or father).

Just be happy for Vern and his partner. They have a gorgeous little boy that will be well taken care of!

ruby on

Off topic I guess but do we know his partner’s name? And it would have been nice to see CBB refer to little Gavin as the first child of Vern and …

—-
Vern asked that CBB/PEOPLE keep the name of his partner private.

– CBB Staff

LW on

Too many times in life a wife says to her husband that she is pregnant and he replies that they cannot afford or need another child. This couple planned and yearned for this baby. He will be raised with love and total devotion. I was one of “too many” in my family and it was so tough growing up. This child will never know a life like that. My best to Vern and his partner. I wish you had been my dad.

Catey on

Just as we were all having this conversation, I was in the car with my 4 year old yesterday after picking him up from kindergarden.

Son: “Mummy, did you know Matt has two daddies?”

Me: “No honey, did he tell you today?”

Son: “Yeah, Sam (another little boy) thinks it is silly”

Me: “What do you think?”

Son: Shrugs, “I don’t think it is silly, I think it is pretty cool” (a new phrase from his older brother)

Me: “Why do you think it is cool?”

Son: “Because Matt doesn’t have a mummy who will tell him to clean his room and put his clothes away. He can just be messy and play table tennis” (my kids just got a table for Christmas and spend hours with my husband playing).

Bless the innocent hearts of children! I had no idea as I had only met one of Matt’s dads when Matt had last come over for a play date. Matt is a well balanced, chatty little boy and is sweet as pie. His two daddies are doing a magnificant job, as I am sure Vern and his partner are as well.

Good luck to you both, parenthood is hard and we all make mistakes, but it will be an incredibly enriching and exciting experience.

JLM on

Surrogacy rocks! It is a wonderful way for many kinds of people (straight, gay, single…) to grow their families when they wouldn’t be able to do it on their own. I’m so happy for Vern and his partner!

thursday on

Call me what you want but a man cannot create a child without the egg of a woman.Nor can a woman create a child without the sperm of a man.Those are basic facts.Argue all you want and call me homophobic.Kimberlee boldly stated a fact”the child has no mommy”.

Ann on

Vern, your son is beautiful! Congrats to you, your partner and your surrogate! Hope you’ll let us see the nursery, soon!

Nelson on

congrats on the new baby and I wish you the very best!

and thanks to Kimberly for standing up for what’s right in the Lord’s eyes. It’s hard to be the one who is “persecuted” and in today’s world, you are definitely going to be in the minority. I wasn’t going to say anything, but it didn’t feel right not to say something in her defense.

Erin on

Why on earth would you consider it being persecuted when someone disagrees with you? Did anyone say they wanted Kimberlee to be punished for her belief(s)? Really, don’t be so on your high horse that anyone’s disagreement likens you to the truly persecuted. See: Christians in China, Muslims in India, etc., etc., etc.

jenny on

Sweet little baby! I had to chuckle over Vern’s comment about his newborn being a ‘fantastic flyer’. Wait another year til that same little guy is trying to climb over the seats and wants to run down the aisles, then we’ll talk… lol

Erica on

Erin, I really did not want to jump into the argument but there were quite a few posts raking Kimberlee over the coals. I think it’s very easy for people to “go off” without realizing that they are doing the exact same thing they accuse someone else of. In Kimberlee’s case, all she did was state a fact. I’m not going to get into the the whole sexuality argument here because I’ve already said that I think Vern will be a fabulous dad, but I also agree with those who have said that it is an apples and oranges argument to only compare great gay parents to horrible heterosexual ones. Likewise, I am not comfortable with how some seem to be minimizing the valuable role of a mother (or a father, for that matter) in a child’s life.

Meghan F on

Congrats to Vern and family. what a lovely baby. And the last time i saw a birth i do believe a woman was the one doing it so of course he has a mommy. But even better he obviously has 2 adoring parents and when it gets down to the nitty gritty isn’t that all that really matters?

Erin on

Erica – If you consider being raked over the coals by perfect strangers a form of persecution then I’d hate to think how you deal with day to day life with coworkers, family, friends, the produce guy. Geez. I’ve been called a socialist/communist/elitist for voting for certain people. By my own family. If you can’t hack strangers disagreeing with you, you might have bigger fish to fry.

Elisabeth on

My mother raised me as a single mother, and I’ve had no contact with my father, and I turned out just fine-I’m about to graduate from Brown with a BS in Biochemistry so whoever made the argument that little girls are closer to their fathers is false. I’ve never really desired a father because if a parent(s) loves you enough, there’s nothing more in the world you could want. I wish people could look beyond what a book(the Bible) says and just accept two people, over the age of 18 who are both educated, resourceful, and loving, willing to raise a child together.
Anywho, Congrats to Vern and his partner. I love him. The baby is so cute! Have fun raising him.

Regan on

Wow, talk about gender stereotypes. So now males can’t be maternal? I suppose parents like my mum (a single mum at that) can’t be paternal either and should just give up and find a bloke to marry. Ah well, damage is done already I suppose.
As long as nothing happens in regards to splitting Gavin’s parents up, he will grow up thinking nothing wrong with his family. Which is the way it should be but isn’t.

Hea on

Why do people still confuse basic biology (sperm+egg) with parenthood? I really don’t get it. YES it takes a sperm and an egg to create a life and NO that does not mean that only a man and a woman together as a team are qualified to raise a child.

Stop acting like the social roles in your community has been carved in stone.

jenny on

Erin, I think you’re blowing things out of proportion. An opinion posted anonymously on a website shouldn’t be taken with such offense. I don’t think Erica’s the one with ‘bigger fish to fry’.

eternalcanadian on

Wow, can’t believe that squished in between comments of “how cute” and “congratulations” along come some people that post insensitive and, frankly rude, comments about there being “no mommy.”

Good grief, Gavin is wanted so badly by Vern and his partner (who just happens to be another male). That can’t be said for countless of children that are killed or abandoned by their mommy.

Enough with this stupidity over how children should only have a father and mother, and how if they aren’t raised with one how terrible their lives will be, etc., yadda, yadda, and let’s focus on how so freaking cute the baby is and how happy Vern and his partner are to be blessed at a chance to be parents.

graciesmom on

Truthfully, there is nothing a heterosexual couple can give a child that a homosexual couple can’t.

How wonderful for Gavin that he gets to be raised by two individuals that love him unconditionally. Very few children have that in this world so instead of pitying him for not having a mother, which is not a requirement for anyone, be happy that he will be loved and cared for to the greatest extent.

momoftwo on

Beautiful baby. The dog on the elephant looks a little odd to me though, but he’s the designer not me!

Congrats to them both!

Jen on

Beautiful boy – congrats to them. I was going to name my son, who’s now 8 months, Gavin but decided to go with Blake instead. I love the name Gavin, I think it sounds good and isn’t too trendy and def not old fashioned either.

JM on

you’d have to be pretty stupid to think that just because it takes a sperm and an egg to create a baby that that says anything about parenthood. yes, well done, we all know how babies are made, so we all know that there was an egg involved in the creation of little gavin. does that mean we have to make facetious and antagonistic comments? i mean really, it’s not like saying the kid has brown hair, pointing out he doesn’t have a mother the way kimberlee did is really just intended to cause arguments.

and i also wish that some people would stop taking it for granted that everyone is religious. by saying that you are talking about what is right in the lord’s eyes to me, you might as well be saying that your imaginary friend whispered in your ear and told you something was wrong. “the lord” means nothing to me, is a fictitious human concept and thus is not at all a rational argument. it’s an emotional argument based on one particular beliefe system, sure, but that is not an argument that is valid in terms of giving a reason why gay couples can’t be good parents. bringing religion into it just makes you look naive, ignorant and narrow-minded.

i have said this so many times, homophobia is no better than racism and yet is still much more widely accepted.

ruby on

Thank you CBB for clearing up my question. It hadn’t occurred to me that Mr. Yip would have asked for his partner’s name to be with held from the story.
And again let me state that this baby is beautiful and I would LOVE to see the rest of that mural on his wall!

ruby on

One last thing on this topic; I wonder if Vern will read this thread. I would assume so, I would read about what people thought about my new baby. I cannot imagine how sad it might make him and his partner to read about how a lack of a mother will affect their son. We can only assume that as two adults they have worried, wondered, and taken the necessary steps to ensure that little Gavin will have everything in life that he needs. I doubt that either of these men looked to a woman as unnecessary in his life.

I understand a little though because as a single mother who did not make a huge effort to find my daughter a new daddy, she has no relationship with her own, that there are just some people who will always criticize my choice. In a way they will always tell you that no matter how great your kid is there is just “something missing” that will make what you did to raise them just not good enough.

These men will do a wonderful job. This little boy is gorgeous. He is loved by these men and undoubtedly the “village” around him. That is truly all that matters. Glass houses people… glass houses.

Sophie on

I think the reason people usually use the argument about abusive hetro parents when they’re arguing for gay parents is because people say that gays can’t be parents, its not good for them etc. The point being made is that no all hetro couples that have children should, and that they can be bad for a child too. You have great hetro parents and great Gay parents just like you get bad of each. But all you who are against gays being parents, would you rather have a child brought up in an abusive household or lost in the foster care/ adoption system just because you don’t agree to gay couples being parents? It just doesn’t make sense to me.

A child needs love, support and they need to form an attachment to be able to thrive. Does it really matter if the love and support they get is from a a hetrosexual couple or a homosexual couple? The important thing is that they are getting what they need to grow and become good people right?

Leah on

Baby is gorgeous, and I’m so happy for Vern & his partner…end of story. People turning this into anything else should just leave it alone.

Lauren on

All the people on here saying what great parents Vern and partner will be are really confusing me. You are assuming that, then turning right around and saying people are assuming 2 men won’t do as good of a job as a mother. And to those complaining about how rude Kimberlee was, you have said worse things about her that you don’t know are true. She at least made a true statement.

Anon on

I am so encouraged by all the pro-same-sex parenting comments on here! Whether you have a mom and a dad, two moms, two dads, one mom or one dad (single parents), all that matters is that you have LOVE. Two daddies can supply that just as well as a mom and a dad.

Hopefully one day soon, same-sex marriage will be legal throughout the country (and world) and same-sex couples will finally be “equal” with heterosexual couples!

FC on

Gavin is the sweetest little peace of heaven in these photos! He’s just precious…and I want him! πŸ˜€ That first one, he seems to be studying Vern, thinking, “Yeah, I think you look like me! I can see it.”, lol.

But, if that’s the nursery’s mural in the background of that first shot, that nursery seems to be pretty cool. I like the decor.

Many congrats to Vern and his partner!

Jenni on

Times are changing with how familys are created. Surrogacy is becoming more popular these days. Sara Jessica Parker used surrogacy but she didn’t receive all the negative comments because she has a spouse who is of the opposite sex. But I bet she would have gotten alot of negative feedback if she had a same sex partner. I think the child will be very loved by all his family. Also those two guys could have very well paid hundred thousand dollars to have that little guy.

QT on

I agree with Lauren. Why is it ok to assume Vern & partner will be great parents, but not ok to assume that Gavin won’t get everything he needs? There are horrible abusive gay parents out there too.

JM the Lord is not a fictitious human concept or imaginary friend. It is a rational argument, just because your beliefs are different or you don’t believe in anything doesn’t discount what others believe. Being religious does not make one marrow-minded, ignorant or naive.

You are the one spouting ignorance here. Attacking someone for their religious beliefs is no better than attacking someone for their views on gays.

Lauren on

JM, whether you believe in the Lord or not is none of my concern, and I really don’t care. However, I can say from your comment above that you seem extremely bitter and rude. You have no right to verbally attack others that way. Ignorant, naive, narrow-minded?? The only person who fits that description here is…. YOU.

Donna on

I believe we are confusing being a daddy or a mommy. Anyone who can reproduces (in whatever way) is capableof being a father or a mother but it takes love, committment, nurturing and a sense of responsibility to be a mommy or a daddy. Yes someday this little boy may have questions but I’ve never met a child who doesn’t at some time. May love and security but the blanket life wraps you in little Gavin and every other child born in this world.

Alee on

Fuzibuni… I don’t think we’ll see a rise in adoption rates as gay couples, just like most other couples, want to adopt infants. And there is already a waiting list for infants. What we will see, instead, are gay couples being put as higher priority and getting babies before straight couples do.

ruby on

Alee why would gay couples be “put as higher priority and getting babies before straight couples do.”

Is there some sort of affirmative action when it comes to adoption in the works somewhere? Some states won’t even let a gay couple adopt out of the foster care system, meaning that is less harmful to stay in the system than be raised by a loving same sex couple. But you think that gay people will get the first pick at infants?

Liliana on

Ruby, I agree with your comment.

Alee, various studies have shown that same sex couples are more likely to be foster parents and adopt children with behavioral problems and/or special needs. For most, their main priority is a child, infant or not. Given the bias of adoption agencies, saying that gay couples will have priority over infants is false.

Margaret on

People, it is not like this really cute little boy will only have Vern and his partner in his life. I am assuming his parents have parents. Grandmothers will give him the maternal love and care that he needs. My nephew is raising his daughter in spite of all the problems caused by her mother who is on drugs, lies to government agencies to get money she does not deserve and will do anything she can to undo the good training that her father is trying to instill in her. I have not doubt that my great-niece would be a lot better off if her mother would not be in her life to expose her to the illegal drug culture her mother exposes her to every other week-end in her court-ordered visitations.

Pam on

Hi, I just wanted to say – No matter what people choices ae, no mater what peoples likes are and no matter what people have a preference for (be it apples, grapes, strawberries or ice cream) they are wonderful parents because they love their children, nurture their children and would do anything to make sure their children are safe and secure. That is the description of, meaning of etc etc PARENTS!!

KG on

Congrats to Vern and his partner! Gavin looks like a sweet little angel. I love the nursery, too. Call me crazy, but I adore the mural with the dog on top of the elephant! It’s amazing.

I truly hope adoption will become easier for all couples (regardless of sexual orientation) who can offer a loving, healthy and safe home.

Stephen on

To all those who made snide comments, I say this. This child will have more love than most so-called traditional families. Take the rafter from your eyes and try to love your children as much. Remember you be judged too!!!

Belinda on

I think Gavin is a beautiful baby. Congratulations!!!!!! I have always loved Vern and I am so happy for him and his partner!!!!! I know you will be a wonderful daddy!!!!

JM on

QT, i’m sorry, but just saying something does not make it fact. it has not been proven that god exists therefore he is still a fictitious human concept. if you are going to disagree with me at least tell me why you think it is certain that he exists, otherwise it looks like a childish argument.

and lauren, please don’t put word in my mouth, that is also an immature method to resort to. i never said being religious makes you any of those things. i said bringing religion into a discussion about gay adoption, ie using it as a reason why they shouldn’t adopt, makes you look ignorant and all those things. and i stand by that as it is NOT a rational argument.
i would be happy to explain what a rational argument is if you think i’m being unfair.
bottom line, be religious for all i care, worship whomever you like, just don’t enforce it on other people.

Dee on

Awwwww he is just adorable πŸ™‚

Who cares if the kid doesn’t have a mother?
Look at all the orphans in this world who dont have mothers, are you people commenting on them too.
If so go adopt some or foster some and give them a mother otherwise shut up already!!!!

The child has two loving parents who will teach him that unfortunately two men cannot make a baby but a woman could and helped them to bring him into the world so that he can be loved and cherished.

Besides, I’m sure this precious baby will have loads of women influencing his life as he grows up so I doubt he will be missing out.

If it were two women, would you still be making that comment.

Awww cute baby without a father???? I dont think you would!!!

Lauren on

JM, I think you should reread your post, and also mine. Your post is FULL of “religion” stuff, about how it is ficticious and a silly concept. Therefore, no need for you to tell others not to bring it onto the convo. If you dislike when others do it, then don’t turn around and do it yourself! I never enforced anything on you or put words into your mouth, those comments have caused laughter. So continue on, and hope this day goes better for ya. I have wasted enough time on someone who is far too ignorant and incapable to understand. πŸ™‚

JM on

oh dear lauren, i really hoped you would come back with an argument that was actually based on truth. i never said that people couldn’t discuss religion, just that it shouldn’t be used as a reason to dictate who can and can’t be parents.
saying religion is a fictitious concept or that god is imaginary is not ignorant. as i said, you haven’t proven that he does exist, until you do, he is fictitious. i never said it was silly, there you go putting words in my mouth, thereby making yourself look silly. you chose to ignore most of my comments, presumably because you don’t know how to reply to them and instead resort to adhominem abusives, shame really, you do yourself no favours in making yourself look any more rational.
and thanks, my day has been going great, very happy, i’m an atheist πŸ˜‰

Jenni on

hey,

I happen to be the daughter of two fathers, I have a child of my own now. I love having two dads, it’s the best thing in the world, and I am happy healthy, had a wonderful childhood with my fathers and now I feel that I am a better mother for it because I love my child no matter what. I know my bio mom, and I am thankful that she was not in my life, sometimes the best families are those that are unconventional. Not everything written on paper works out in real life.

That lil boy is going to be loved and adored, and you know what, that makes him luckier that a lot of children out there.

taegan on

Gorgeous baby!
Congratulations to them all!

LisaS on

I don’t know who Vern Yip is but congrats to him and his partner on their new baby. And goodness, what a beautiful baby he is.

CelebBabyLover on

JM- It hasn’t been proven that God DOESN’T exist, either. πŸ™‚ I think all Lauren was trying to say is that everyone is entitled to their beliefs. You are entitled to believe God is a fictious concept, but Lauren and I are also entitled to believe that God very much exists.

Also, I’m confused as to why you (and a lot of other people on this post), say this discussion is about gay adoption. It says clearly in the post that Vern and his partner used a surrogate, so it stands to reason that Gavin is most likely the biological son of one of them. The other dad probably DID have to adopt, but techinically, they used surrgoacy, not adoption, to have their baby. πŸ™‚

Shelly on

VERN, IF YOU EVER GET TO READ THIS, YOU HAVE A MAGNIFICENT, BEAUTIFUL SON AND YOUR ABILITY TO BE A COMMITTED LOVING FATHER IS EVIDENT BY LOOKING AT THE PHOTOS. I WISH YOU, YOUR PARTNER AND LITTLE GAVIN ALL THE BEST πŸ™‚

Jeannette on

Gavin is absolutely adorable and precious and who is loved by his parents. I think it is sad in this day and age to see such ignorant comments about who should raise a child. I also love the name Gavin.

Terri on

Mannox? That’s interesting. Never heard of it.

aj on

Gavin is so cute and I love his name. Vern seeme to be really proud of his little miracle. I bet he is a fantasic dad.

brannon on

Love reading this post. Currently doing research on family bias and it’s uplifting to see so many positive comments. So far – my research has been showing that family bias is really limited to the minority – even if they are the loud minority. That is a very good thing (so long as the minority continues to grow smaller and smaller) May be hope for the future after all

Kylee on

What an adorable and precious baby boy! Congratulations to Vern and his partner on such a wonderful blessing. May you all be blessed for many years to come!

shakira on

Posters 25 and 27, I assume that you have no mother, so as to post as you did. My mom died the day after I was born, and really, you don’t miss what you never had. My dad never remarried, I had female interaction with aunts and sisters, but how can you possibly speak with such authority about not having a mom and spending your life knowing what it’s like to be separated.

It’s actually been scientifically proven that if a child has had a mom and dad until age 2 and something happens to one or both, the child has no memory of them, and thus, they live their lives.

congrats to Vern and his partner.

Zoe on

Gorgeous little baby!!! Congratulations!!! πŸ™‚

Kathryn on

Too bad they chose to use a surrogate rather than adopt one of the many children that are already waiting for a home w/ 2 loving parents. It makes me sad when same sex couples use science to “buy” a baby rather than adopt one. Yeah, I know, everyone thinks their genetic material deserves to be reproduced……. When there are so many kids waiting for homes, does it really matter whose genetic material they have? Let people use science to make babies only after all the kids in foster care have good forever homes!

My kids Mom on

I didn’t even notice the mural until someone else made mention (very nice mural). I guess I should have read the article and not just focused on the pictures of the beautiful little baby. Picture almost makes me want to have another one. Almost…Vern, have fun, cherish every moment because they grow up so entirely too fast.

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