Tyra Banks Motherhood Quotes: 'ANTM' Host Talks About Son York

From supermodel to super mama! Tyra Banks has had quite the life, but it goes without saying that entering motherhood after she welcomed son York via surrogate with Erik Asla in January 2016 is her greatest accomplishment.

While Tyra first paid tribute to York on Instagram after he was born and on the first Valentine’s Day since she met her forever valentine, it’s the America’s Next Top Model host’s first Mother’s Day post that really got the waterworks going.

“I’m hearing, ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ and I can’t believe how lucky I am! Of all the fashionable hats I wear, I love being a #mother the most. #HappyMothersDay from me and my mama to all the wonderful women of the world!” Tyra captioned a photo in which she is holding York alongside her mom, Carolyn London.

Later that night, after all the excitement subsided, Tyra reflected on her special day. “As I lie in bed holding my precious bundle, I have to say that my first #MothersDay was pretty amazing. Hope your day was great, whether you’re a mama or not. Ok…nighty night,” she captioned a selfie of them cuddled up in bed.

Even though her job has pretty much always been to get photographed, it turns out Tyra initially didn’t want to share images of York on social media. In fact, once she only did to beat the paparazzi so they wouldn’t be able to sell the photos for money.

“It wasn’t so much that I was itching for the world to see him,” Tyra revealed on Late Night to host Seth Meyers in July 2017 about being out to a restaurant and getting swarmed with people trying to get a shot of York.

“I’m trying to hide him with a blanket. I pull over the gas station after they get the shot, I text his dad [Erik, a fashion photographer] and I’m like, ‘I’ve got to put this picture out before the paparazzi. I don’t want them to make money off our child and have the first picture,'” the Life-Size star recalled. “So, I posted the damn picture.”

Scroll through the gallery below to see Tyra’s cutest quotes about motherhood so far!

On Balancing it All

“My secret to balance is to focus on one thing at a time. I used to be the most amazing multitasker, doing three things at once,” Tyra told People of doing it all. “Not anymore, now that I have my son. I think that’s Mother Nature’s way of saying this life you created takes all of your brain power.”

On Welcoming York Into the World

“The best present we worked and prayed so hard for is finally here,” Tyra shared on Instagram after welcoming York with Erik. “He’s got my fingers and big eyes and his daddy Erik’s mouth and chin. As we thank the angel of a woman that carried our miracle baby boy for us, we pray for everyone who struggles to reach this joyous milestone. York Banks Asla, welcome to the world.”

On Giving York Lots of Attention

“It’s all about quality, not quantity,” Tyra once shared with Entertainment Tonight. “When you’re there, make sure that time is concentrated and rich. I’m guilty of, ‘Oh, I’m here, but I’m here answering emails.’ So I’ve actually taken email off of my phone, so that when I’m with my son, I’m with him.”

On the Long Journey to Motherhood

“Everything that happened all got me to this,” Tyra told People in March 2018 about the long journey to becoming a mom to little York — which included trying the old-fashioned way “for a while” and several “emotional” attempts at in vitro fertilization. In the end, though, it all worked out. “It was meant to be.”

On York’s Relationship With Grandma Carolyn

“Oh my God, it’s amazing and awful,” Tyra joked with Entertainment Tonight in April 2018 about when she York’s relationship with his grandmother, Carolyn. “It’s both. The amazing part is he loves her so much, like, they have this nightly ritual. I don’t like to let him watch a lot of TV, but she says it’s fine; like, 24/7 TV is fine for her. So, I try to say no TV. At night he’s, like, ‘Mommy, I’m going to Nana’s bed. No, Mommy, get out. Bye bye. Bye bye, Mommy.'”