It was fathers day 2012. I was missing my dad who I lost in 2008 but was hopeful that he was sending me good luck and love from where ever he is as I got up at 7 am to drive to a local shoppers drug mart to pick up a pregnancy test. Each month prior had turned up a negative result but something felt different. I can’t explain it.
I was not sick, I had so symptoms of being pregnant … but for some reason I just felt like maybe today was it… fathers day 2012 the test showed two blue lines. I lost my breath, bit my lip and shed tears of pure happiness and joy. I was a mom. Today of all days my heart made a giant leap in the healing process of losing my dad. Today I got to tell my husband he was going to be a Daddy. I got to tell my sisters they were going to be Auntie’s and Colin got to tell his family we were expecting!
The 10 months went by with ease, I was one of the lucky ones. No morning sickness, no stretch marks, I worked full time shooting 30 weddings and shooting all my portrait shoots right to the end. My family and friends were fantastic and my dear clients blew me away with their kindness and generosity. I had the best pregnancy! I would do it all over again in a heart beat.
So Valentines Day 2013 arrived.
February 14th 2013 at 2 pm I was set to go under the knife to deliver our son. The team was lead by a fantastic surgeon and amazing doctors and nurses… and my number one woman Dr Rachel Schafer took a seat with her Nikon – allowing me to set up the setting just prior to rolling in the delivery room she ROCKED the shoot… these memories have me in tears. Laying behind a curtain I waited to hear his first cry, wondering what he looked like, was he healthy, how big was he? My amazing husband got to cut the cord and snuggle the most beautiful baby boy in the world as I lay there taking it all in… this was Colin’s moment too.
Rachel has given us the best gift ever… memories. These images capture our life, our sons first moment entering this world. His first breath of air. These are memories I will hold close to my heart and share with him for years to come.
Welcome to the world, the third man to steal my heart… after my late father, my amazing husband and now my beautiful son Lander Joseph Bendle-Dombroski.
I would like to finish this blog by thanking first and far most my husband Colin. Because of you I am cradling the most precious gift life has to offer. I love you more than life itself and this miracle has only brought us closer together. I love you. And I am so excited to watch us grow and welcome more babies!
To my family, I can’t imagine this last week without your support. 8 am feedings, long hours in the hospital and endless patience. Warm food, solid hugs, and unconditional love for all 5 of us (including the fur babies) we are eternally grateful for all of you. With a special shout out to my mother in law Betty-Ann and my sister Patricia for going that extra mile!
To our Friends – you are the perfect example of what friendship is all about. Selfless and full of love and support … we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and cherish each and every one of you.
Signing off
Cynthia (aka Mom)
Stay tuned for his newborn shoot – yeah… the 7 hours shoot had to happen … lol
