Zachary's First Week of School

It has been a long and difficult (yet it other ways good) week. After several months of being home I am now back at work, and although I miss my little ones dearly... I trust they are in good hands and enjoy my job. This still did not make it any easier to drop Zachary off on Monday for his first day of "school" (see post below). I was doing okay- and barely tearing up when Joe stated "You're not going to cry, are you?" Well that is when I lost it and started sobbing hysterically.

Zachary seemed to like his first day of school. He had a big smile on his face when I went to pick him up and they have been wearing him out- he has been sleeping very soundly and ALL night long this week. And even Adam seems excited to have his little brother at school with him now. The other day I picked up Zachary first before heading to Adam's room. When we left he kept trying to go through the door to the infant room; I tried to explain to him that we didn't need to go in there because I had already gotten his brother!

Here are some pictures I've taken during Zachary's first week of school...

All dressed up for his first day!

Where are we going?

Oh... yea! I like school! They wear me out at school!
Mom makes us get up way too early!And why does she insist on dressing us alike?!?Friday was our Halloween party! We were not interested in taking pictures.
One cute cowboy!
And an adorable lion!

A message to my fellow moms

During this wintery time of year I know those of us who must go to work struggle with trying to balance our work job as well as our most important job-- motherhood. Paid time off may be dwindling for you or perhaps you don't have any at all. And you consistently fight the guilt of making a decision between staying home with a sick child or going to work. We see our co-workers planning long vacations to beach resorts, while we moms squander away our vacation days in case we are called home to take care of our little ones. I am not complaining as I would choose the snotty nose of my little angels over the sandy beach any day, but it would be nice to be able to take a trip to DisneyWorld some day!

I am lucky that my work is somewhat understanding of the plight of mothers and offers short term disability pay for maternity leave. I was able to spend 2 months home with my little ones before having to return to work. Other mothers in this country do not have the same luxury. But I still cried my eyes out and felt the guilt on that first day as I dropped my youngest off at daycare to make the trip into the office. If you get a chance there is good article in this week's BabyTalk magazine that discusses maternity leave. The opening sentence states "… the United States may be the world's richest nation, but we're also one of only 5 our of 174 that don't mandate any paid maternity leave." It goes on to talk about how paid maternity can benefit the well-being of the child (most substantially lowering health care costs for infants), the mother, as well as the company for which she works.

So what are we going to do about it you ask? One thing is to visit and read over the information on the following site. http://www.momsrising.org/ Be sure to click on the "Paid Sick Days for All" link to send a message to your Congressional representative.

As moms we teach our children to stand up for what they believe in, fight for their rights, and voice their opionions in a respectful manner. Let's live by our own words!

Working or staying home, part-time or full time, beach or DisneyWorld... the most important and wonderful decision-- the decision to be a mom has already been made! And those smiling faces from God are worth more than any creature comforts from man.

God bless you all--

Cambrey

Warning: cell phone use not advised after anesthesia

Joe had his wisdom teeth finally pulled this past Wednesday and when I came to sit with him after the surgery I found him talking on the phone. This was funny for several reasons: 1) I'm not sure why he even had his cell phone with him in the doctors office. 2) He still was not quite awake from the anesthesia. 3) His cheeks were all puffed up and it was difficult to understand him with his swollen and cotton filled mouth. 4) He was talking to... my mom!!

After a long conversation about who knows what, Joe finally hands the phone over to me and I ask- "Who the heck are you talking to?" "Your mom" he says matter of factly as if this is the most normal situation. "My mom? Why are you talking to her?" I ask. "Becuase she answered." "Well who else did you try to call?" "No one. I just called her. I knew she would answer."

The nurses and I discussed what kind of calling this should be. We had heard of "drunk dialing" but what was this supposed to be- "Anesthesia induced Mother-In-Law Talk"?!?

Later when Joe was no longer affected by the anesthesia I asked him once again why he called my mom and what they talked about before I came to sit with him. He said that he just felt like talking to her but couldn't remember exactly what all they talked about. What he was more concerned about-- "Who put my sweatshirt back on me?"

To my husband- one of the things I love about you is your ability to make me laugh!

To my mom- one of the things I love about you is that your always there to answer a call!

Happy Birthday Gigi!

Shout out to a great mom and grandmother! You're the best. We love you very much!

Adam's Meow & and an "Egg"cellent Baby

Aunt Taylor gave us a great costume for Adam this year! I think our little chicken is too cute but there is just one problem... he thinks he is a cat. Adam was very excited when I pulled out the costume to get him ready for a Halloween party we had with the mom's club this past Saturday. He pointed to the costume and loudly exclaimed "meow". Here is our little chicken/cat and egg at the party...

The costume parade...

We were told that we got the award for the most creative costumes. Unfortunately I didn't get a good shot of all four of us in costumes so you will just have to wait for Halloween for that one!

Blue Again

Seriously Gigi... were the markers really necessary?!? I am so glad you at least thought to get washable ones! :)

Better than diamonds

Last week I braved traveling with both boys by myself down to Texas. It was awesome and I just love the two of them more than words! The week was great-- Thursday: MEET AVERY!, surprise Gigi, dinner with Ragan. Friday: hanging out in Katy, travel to College Station, hanging out with the Cokers, midnight yell (surprising Kason). Saturday: March-In (all the grandkids together!), Aggie Football game, Myers Tailgate BBQ (some awesome wings), chilling at the Coker house some more. Sunday: Lunch with Nana, hanging out at the lake house. Monday: helping Justin move, seeing mom and dad's house staked out!!, closing on house loan, dinner with Ragan and Brad. Tuesday: sleeping in, watching the sun come up over the lake, and then it's back home after a great vacation.

They always say that a picture is worth a thousand words... well I took MANY (over 500) pictures this past week on my trip down to Texas. The trip was made in celebration of my parents wedding anniversary (a surprise gift from my dad to my mom-- I personally think he still owes you some diamonds mom!) Anyways, it was a GREAT time and full of many firsts for my little Zachary. Here are just some of the pictures that tell the story of our week in Texas...

Surprise package for Gigi

Adam was very excited about his baby cousin... as was I. Avery is beautiful and I was so glad to be able to hold this bundle of joy that has come to grace our lives.

With such a large family there were so many people to meet and so much love to be shared!

Zachary and his aunts and uncles--

Zachary and his cousins--

Zachary and his great grandmother--

Zachary and further "family"--

Zachary got to go to his first Aggie football game! Adam hasn't even been to one yet (well at least if you don't count when I was pregnant with him).

Groupshots-- these are so difficult to get as our family circle increases. Yet when we do get a one of these shots, they are a cherished sight.

The Fab Five

All the grandkids!!
K-Dan and Gigi with all the overalled kiddos (Aunt Taylor created these cute outfits for us! Thank you for making us at least LOOK adorable.)

With Nana minus Ragan and Avery (although we are at Ragan's house!-- in our family it is wonderful to know that when we are together everyone is always at "home" no matter what "house" we are in.)
Candid camera photos-- Us being... well... US!

Avery's pissed off look (even angry she is still adorable!)This is JUST FUNNY! (don't ask)

Aunt Taylor- that isn't nice. (she actually was trying to get something off his face, but I thought it was a priceless shot)

I am VERY proud of my little brother! "Bass Drummer, Band Leader, RV... is there any honor you don't have... how about Student Body President?!?" Holding hands or fighting? Yep- fighting!
The boys Zachary's turtle look

What is K-Dan doing?

Always with the hand down the pants.And the red-headed step children do exist! (and I must say we are the coolest in the bunch)And just becuase I think my nieces are too precious for words...

Being with this much family can be exhausting- but isn't it grand!

In Uncle Kason's night gown...My mom and I talked a lot about how unique our family can be. We are a big family-- and keep growing. And yet we just seem to "work" together with hearts that just keep on growing as well. One night there were 13 of us at the Coker's and yet it didn't seem like that at all. I think Aunt Lauren stated it the best when she said "I used to think other families were like this... but NO!" We're crazy, we're wild, we're full of love! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad-- the family you have created is to me a precious jewel and better and worth more than any diamonds.