“I was surprised. Shocked,” says Tracy Roy, mother of this year’s baby contest winner, Sandtasia.

Tracy and Sandip had no idea their baby would win and admits they were “just trying” when they entered Sandtasia in the annual contest.

The couple were married three years ago, but in two ceremonies — one here in Bermuda and the other in the Roman Catholic Church in Mr. Roy’s hometown of Calcutta, India.

Mrs. Roy’s pregnancy was not an easy one and somewhat challenging: “In the beginning, it was very stressful, but three months after she came it got better and she’s such a good baby.”

Mr. Roy, obviously a proud father, concurs. “She sleeps through the night and she doesn’t cry easily.”

He chuckles that her favourite toys are her Furby, the phone and the television remote control.

As for winning the prestigious competition: “We are just happy, very happy!”

The couple entered Sandtasia, their first and only child, in another local baby contest some time ago, but admit they were quite rushed in getting the photos taken on time and were a little disappointed when the nine-month-old did not win.

But being prepared is everything, and this time, Mrs. Roy admits they got Sandtasia to the Mall Studio way in advance.

When the Mid-Ocean News<$> contacted the Roys to inform them of Sandtasia’s success, Mrs. Roy had just got home from work.

“I was shocked,” she recalls. “My husband wasn’t home and I waited a while to tell him.”

When she finally did tell him, “He said, ‘I knew it, I knew she was going to win’.”