Third Birthday Photos in Central Alberta | Backyard Boyhood & Motherhood Reflections

His cries reached into my soul, and my own tears met his in solidarity. I had waited to hear his tiny, but mighty, voice for nine months and thirty seven hours.

The boy that made me a mother didn't come into this world easily. He stayed, comfortable and nurtured within my womb until his predicted due date of July 11th, 2022.

That morning, I woke to contractions; sixty seconds long, three minutes apart. They were all in my back, and no matter how I breathed through them, it felt too much to manage alone. So we headed to the hospital at 5am.

When we arrived, I was 3cm. They sent me home to try and get comfortable, to rest, to wait, to hope. We came back at 3pm. I had only progressed to 4cm.

I labored overnight, but by morning, nothing had changed.

When they broke my water, they saw he had passed meconium in the womb.

An hour later, they gave us our options. His heart was showing decels, and we knew what needed to happen.

At 4:31pm on July 12th, 2022, they pulled him into the world from my womb, and I heard his cries for the first time, and cried with him.

Now, three years later, that tiny 7lbs 10oz boy is a big brother.

He has the most beautiful heart for people and animals. His imagination runs wild. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s equal parts chaos and tenderness; and he’s always teaching me what it means to be a mom.

We spent his birthday doing what he loves most, existing outdoors, in nature. These photos are about more than turning three; they’re about everything we’ve lived together since his very first breath.

Backyard boyhood. Motherhood in motion. A story still unfolding.

We are so proud of him.

If you're looking to preserve your own story, the wild, the tender, the unforgettable, I’d be honored to help you capture it. Whether it’s a milestone or a quiet moment that matters most, let’s create something beautiful together.

I have a few spots left in July, and bookings are open for fall. Mention the code "ARCHIVE10" in your inquiry to receive 10% off your first session with me.

All My Best,

Kendra

KW Visual Stories