Surrey mom recreates group photo 10 years later
Moms check in with each other a decade after adorable photo
Once upon a Christmas, 10 babies got together for a memorable photo shoot in Karen Ceraldi’s living room.
Ten years later, the same kids — minus one who was not able to make it — were reunited for an updated portrait.
While it was a madcap scene the first time around, with moms needing to prop up their babies after every shot, it was a much calmer session this year.
“They were much more co-operative this time around,” Ceraldi, a professional photographer who lives in South Surrey, said with a laugh.
The kids are lined up in the same order; missing is baby No. 3.
All the children were born to firsttime mothers who met each other through mommy-and-baby classes offered by Fraser Health.
The group was a godsend for many of them, offering friendship, advice, guidance and much-needed support during that difficult first year, Ceraldi said.
“We all went through a lot of stressful times together, and sometimes other than our spouses, they were the only other people we saw.”
The mothers, who ranged in age from late 20s to early 40s at the time, got together regularly for “strollercize” sessions, coffee, mommy-and-baby yoga, parties, and swimming classes.
But as maternity leave ended and preschool started and life accelerated, the friendships took an inevitable hit. Many drifted apart after they returned to work; once the kids started preschool, many developed different social groups with other moms.
Sometimes, the moms would run into each other around town, perhaps at a hockey game or at ice skating lessons, and try to catch up between chaperoning their kids.
Most have stayed in touch on Facebook, Ceraldi said, but many haven’t seen each other for years.
So when they started arriving on the doorstep of Chris and Sharon Anderson’s home on Dec. 3, there were plenty of hugs, laughter and some tears.
“It was very emotional for a lot of us,” Ceraldi said.
“It reminded us of all the people who supported us throughout our first babies.
“One mom when she came to the door she was getting teary-eyed. She was so happy to see everyone again.”
It was a busy Christmas reunion. Most of the moms had more kids, so there’s now 20 children between the 10 friends.
Christmases, with children, are different, Ceraldi said.
“Christmas is so much more now. When you’re a child Christmas is so magical, and when you become a parent you not only get to enjoy watching your own children experience Christmas, you get to see the magic all over again through their eyes.”