SUNNY MINNEAPOLIS

Today we had 75 degree weather!!!!  Wahoo and about time.  Before I head to bed, I just want to share some cute pictures of Maci on our walk around the lake and then Maci & I playing on a blanket in the front yard while Clint did some yard work!  What a great weekend it was :-)

 

Maci's First Baby Sitter - Mommy & Daddy Head Out!!

Tonight Clint and I had a wedding to go to!  My friend Lindsey from Cargill (HR Development Program) was getting married.  Our wonderful neighbors behind us offered to watch Maci so we had our first date night out post Maci!!  Maci loved her time with the neighbors and we loved our time out with adults!!  Enjoy some pics of our cutie pre-wedding and me post cocktails :-)  At the end of the night, we all couldn't wait to get back together again!!

Maci is 3 Months

Life has been very hectic in the Mondell house, which we knew it would be once I was back to work.  I came back to work during the busiest time of the year for my job.  However, I am balancing everything to the best of my ability and Clint has been awesome.  With all the hub bub going on, we almost missed Maci's 3 month birthday!!  However, with a cutie like this how could you miss such a fun day?!

Summary of the Past Month
* Maci still loves her hands and pacifiers
* She is around the high 9lb mark, almost 10lb
* Little lady loves to roll around, especially without the brace - we worry she will be crawling by month 4 at this rate :)
* She smiles with a HUGE open mouth
* Clint's voice seems to get the most smiles
* Her brace is hopefully almost off!!
* She is eating 6oz every 4 hours and sleeps almost through the night with one quick fuss around 230 almost every night
* Our new favorite activity is taking walks on spring days with Maci and Boomer

Enjoy our animated little lady!! 

Mommy Back to Work

Thursday finally arrived and I have to say I did GREAT!!!  I cried once putting Maci in her clothes and then only teared up while putting my shoes back on when leaving her room.  Once I got back in the car with Clint to head to work, I was super excited to see my work friends and get back into the swing of things.  Work is CRAZY busy right now, which I knew it would be since this is the HOT compensation season.  Friday was a bit nutty and I did quite a bit of work this weekend.  That will not be the norm as I will ensure I have balance but I had to get back in the swing of things and help with some outstanding questions.  I am doing very well with daycare and that is mainly because Maci is doing so well with it. 

Friday after work we had some fun!  Clint and Maci went to a daddy and me class at the same place I went to mommy and me.  They offer it one night a month and it is a one time only thing.  This was a plan the Mommy's from my class cooked up.  We figured we would send the dads and babies to this class and we then went to a nearby restaurant for appetizers and drinks!!!  All the Mommy's then swung by to pick back up their hubby's and babies.  We sure have made some great friends through this class :-)

Saturday we had some fun plans with our friends Trip and Lori.  They had all three of us over for make your own pizza night.  They are such good hosts and cooks.  However, we had to leave earlier than we use to since we now have a baby that wants to go to bed and fills her pants causing everyone to hold their noses HAHA

Enjoy some pictures of Maci's first day of "school" =)

Lots of Love,
C, K & M

Last Few Days of Leave

Maci and I have been having a nice past few days.  Even though I am mentally ready to go back to work and get back in the routine, I am somewhat surprised how sentimental and teary eyed I have been at times during the days.  The funny part is I tend to tear up when we are having a lot of fun, probably because I know someone else is going to get to enjoy those laughs with her very shortly.  So instead of crying, I am cherishing these last three days and thinking about how much fun I am going to have when I get her home each day.  Plus, I only have 2 days with some great co-workers and then it is the WEEKEND!!!!

Maci and I have had lunch dates the past two days and then errands in the afternoon just getting us ready for both parents back at work and Maci at "school."  Yesterday, two girlfriends from work came to our house on their lunch break.  It was great to see Lisa and Megan and Lisa was able to explain to me her transition and what helps to make it easier since she just went back to work 4 weeks ago after having Brody.  Then today, our friend Lori came over for some lunch and Maci loved her cuddle and giggle time with Lori. 

I have been snapping the camera quite a bit during these past few days, trying to capture every smile.  Check out the fun we have been having!!  I need to catch a picture of Maci trying to eat her fist, that is her new favorite activity =)  Tomorrow is total Mommy & Maci day.  We have no plans but lots of play and cuddling before we lay out our clothes in preparation for the new routine. 

Lots of Love,
C, K & M

Maci Girl is Such a Ham - This is a TOTAL Clint Face ;-)

Thanks Great Grandma & Grandpa Gilroy for the Great Outfit!!

 Little Booger Wouldn't Smile While We Took Our Picture!!

 There is the Face We LOVE!!!

HAHA Maci's Newest Thing is Loving her Blankets!  I think she was trying to tell me the sun was too bright in her Swing because she was cooing under the blankie!!!

**Note - I never leave her alone with loose blankets, so no safety concerns here ;-)

Hip Update

On Friday Clint and I were quite anxious to have Maci's 6 week Ultrasound and Hip Re-Check appointment.  We were super hopeful that both hips would be fully normalized and the brace would be off all day but for bedtime to help ween out of it.  Maci did great at the ultrasound and as usual was quite happy to be wiggling out of her brace!  We then went immediately next door to her orthapedic specialist to have the ultrasound images read and our new game plan determined.  We got a dose of good news/bad news at the specialist.  Maci's Right Hip is considered fully normalized - YAY!  Her left one, which was the slightly worse one in the beginning, is a lot better.  However, this one is still not deep enough in the socket when the hip is pushed on.  The hip shows normalized when in a relaxed position and when bent but once there is pressure it is still not fully normalized.  Due to this, Maci will have to wear her brace full time for another 2.5 weeks - UGH!  I definitely teared up at the news.  While it is quite promising that the brace is doing what it should and the hips are greatly improving, I was so hopeful that this brace would be off and one less thing I had to worry about when going back to work late this next week.  I know we are very blessed to have a healthy happy baby but I just want her fully happy and she LOVES having her brace off.  At least we are getting this all taken care of now and Clint and I will spend some extra time at daycare Thursday morning making sure they know exactly how to work with it should they need to take it off at any point.  If we have made it 6 weeks, we can make it 2.5 more!  It was just hard to have the initial let down after building up so much hope that it was coming off!!!  We will keep you posted after her next follow up appointment on May 1st.  In the meantime, more of the same with the hips and Maci continues to smile/coo!!  We sure have an amazing little baby!!! 

No pictures or real updates this time around.  Since I start back to work this coming Thursday, we spent the weekend with lots of family time and cuddling.  The weather is also pretty nasty here so it was a perfect weekend to just relax with our loved ones!  I actually look forward to getting back to work for a sense of normal/routine, adult conversation, using my brain, seeing friends etc.  However, I will greatly miss my little lady through the day.  Clint and I were talking today and I think not being with her during the day will make me appreciate her that much more and the time we have as a family in the evenings and on the weekends.  The plan is to have Clint and I ride to work together this Thurs/Fri so we can drop off/pick her up together.  Then starting next week, he is drop off and I am pick up - I won on that one!!  Before heading back to work, Maci and I have lunch plans at our house tomorrow with my work friends Lisa & Megan, Lunch on Tuesday with our friend Lori and as of right now just Mommy/Maci TLC on Wednesday before heading back into the office.

We promise to share lots of fun pictures soon!
Lots of Love,
C, K & M

Maci & Mommy Graduation from New Momma Class!!!

On Monday, Maci and I had our last of the 6 week Mommy & Me Classes =(  I was saddest about this class ending, even sadder about this than my maternity leave ending and going back to work.  I just loved this class so much!  These 8 women, 10 including our teacher and teacher in training, made me feel like I am a good mom and I am doing a good job.  Not that I don't hear it from Clint and family/friends all the time but it was so nice to get to know other women going through this at the same time, for the first time with me!  We all grew so much over the past 6 weeks as mothers and friends and they showed me I have the strength to take on anything whether it be balancing work/home or Maci's hips etc.  I am so glad us moms are making a conscious effort to keep in touch and Maci now already has 8 ready made friends!!!  We are still meeting this week on Thursday for lunch with the babies.  In addition, the center we went to offers a Dad's Night which is somewhat what we learned but condensed into a 2 hour session on a Friday night.  Clint and Maci will be going on the 19th of April along with at least 2 other dads from my class.  While the dads and babies are in class, us mommas are meeting for drinks at a nearby bar!!!  WAHOO!  We hope to get together at least once a month now that we are all heading back to work - I will be sure to stay on top of that because I just love these gals!

 LOTS OF BABIES

Starting with Maci (Sleeping in Pink/White Stripes with Headband) and Moving Clockwise :

Maci, Natalie, Charlotte, Harper, Zach, Grace, Rachel, Emmett, Hank

9 Amazing New Mommas!!

Back Row : Gina & Emmett, Jayce & Natalie, Jen & Charlotte, Halston & Harper, Kelly & Hank

Front Row : Laura & Zach, Me & Maci, Betsy & Grace, Melissa & Rachel 

Great Advice & Words of Wisdom from Class that We Need to Remember

Tuesday was a very chill day at home since it was rainy and cold.  We had no where to be and for once I LOVED it.  I wont have many more days like this with my little lady since I go back to work next Thursday.  We just cherished the day and took lots of naps but also played.  Check out this video of Maci wiggling that I took for daddy to enjoy during his work day!

                                 
Today, Maci and I went to her daycare, New Horizon Academy in Minnetonka for her to meet the teachers in her room and finalize last minute questions/paperwork.  I did really well and Maci LOVED it.  I knew she would because she loves people and being held.  Plus the room is sensory overload.  She just kept staring at lights, toys and they had music playing - her favorite!!!  The only challenge I see her having is napping during the day in the crib - good luck teachers!  If they can crack that one for us, they are super hero's, especially since they cant swaddle her!  However, they have 3 swings and Maci loves sleeping in her swing at home so at least they have that option too.  While I was filling out paperwork, Maci hung out in the room and when I came back she was with a new teacher and sound asleep in a rocking chair - she didn't need me =(  But, I am glad she adjusted.  They all LOVE her and how tiny she is!  There is a little girl Reece who is 5 months and weighs 10 lbs so they will be little peanut pals!

Please keep Maci and our family in your prayers as we go for the 6 week ultrasound check on her hips this Friday.  We would LOVE for her to have the brace off and that is best case scenario!  Please pray that this can be the case or that we may have patience if that isn't the case and she needs to wear it longer.  We will keep you all posted!

Lots of Love,

C, K & M

Sunny Sunday at Lake Calhoun!

Our little family had a nice weekend!  We loved having all our guests over the last week but it was also nice to have a little R&R with our sweet Maci girl, especially with me going back to work in less than 2 weeks.  Today was a warmer 52 degrees and sunny.  After church and breakfast we decided to take Maci and Boomer down to our favorite place to walk, Lake Calhoun.  For those that have been here, you may remember it is the lake really close to our house, uptown and downtown.  It is a nice 3 mile walk around the entire lake with lots of beautiful scenery and people watching.  Of course I had to snap a few pictures for the blog :-)  I really hope the weather keeps getting warmer so I can have quite a few walks and sunny days with Maci before I go back to work on April 18th.  However, we use to walk the lakes all the time on the weekends when it was just us two, so I know we will have plenty of time to play outside on the weekends once I am back at work!

SPORTING MY GIRAFFE HAT!!!

 THE LAKE IS MELTING!!!!!!!!



Maci Rolls Over!!!

Maci hit a HUGE milestone quite early - she rolled over twice from tummy to back at the tiny age of 2 months!!!  She did this with Nanny Mondell and I watching when they were visiting last weekend.  Fortunately Kathy was taking video on her phone so we have this awesome memory captured for years to come!!!  Enjoy this clip of our happy and growing baby!

PS.  We let her have a little exercise time each day out of the brace but as you can see she LOVES it!  We hope to hear good news this Friday when we have our 6 week ultrasound and check up for her hips.  Please say prayers that her hips have improved enough to be done with the brace!!!

Grandma Janet is BACK & with Aunt Molly & Her Friend Katie!!!

On Monday Maci and I had our regular Mommy and Me Class at 10a.  Before we left to class, Grandpa Jack packed up the car and headed out to Ohio, Nanny Kathy had left on a plane late Sunday afternoon for Houston to be with Aunt Patter on her Birthday!  Mommy and Me Class was AWESOME as usual!  We have our graduation and last class next Monday.  This makes me really sad but I know I have made 8 other new mom friends and Maci has 8 built in play dates for many years to come!  We are getting together this week on Thursday evening for a Happy Hour at another Mommy's house - FUN!!!  After class, I told Maci that Grandma Janet, Aunt Molly and her friend Katie were on their way to visit and WOW was she excited!!

 WHEN DO THEY GET HERE?!?!?!

We were very excited when they pulled into the driveway on Monday around 5p!  Clint had taken the day off to make a 4 day weekend, to see his dad off and to help tidy up the house in prep for their visit!  It was great to all be here and finally see them again!  We let them get settled and ordered some Pizza Luce for dinner!  I then drove them around the West End, Lake Calhoun and found the Mary Tyler Moore Show house for my mom.

Tuesday was the big Mall of America Day!  Molly and Katie had a blast running around on their own while mom and I went in very different type of stores, say baby clothes haha.  We ended up all being ready to go after 5 hours at the mall around 5p.  Maci was such a good girl this day. She napped in the stroller and we stopped only once for her scheduled bottle at 2p.  Molly and Katie were quite impressed with the Mall and I am sure they would love to come back.  We then had Chipotle for dinner and went to the TJ Maxx by my house for a little more shopping - I was going to wear them out!!

Today Mom and I went to Maci's 4 week hip check up.  The Dr says they feel much better from week one and she cant feel any more movement.  She only has a concern still on Maci's Left Hip that it is still fairly tight and she wishes it would fall more.  However, she wont really know until she sees the ultrasound next Friday because she feels Maci is so strong she just may be holding it tight.  We have 3 scenarios next week at the last check - 1) she is good and weens off the brace by wearing to bed for a while - 2) there is improvement but not all the way so she would wear the brace longer on the full time basis - 3) it is worse or no improvement and then we need to talk surgery.  We are very hopeful that we are not in the 3 camp and we are saying big prayers for the 1 camp!!!  Please keep Maci, her hip and anxious parents in your prayers too!  I would love to have the brace behind us before I go back to work on the 18th of April.

After the Dr, we woke up the girls who love to sleep in, I remember doing that one day B.M - Before Maci!!  =)  Today we went to Uptown and did lunch some walking and a little more shopping.  Again Maci rocked!!  Afterward, Mom and I went on a walk with Boomer and Maci.  I then wrapped up the day going through my jewelry and headbands and giving away lots of old stuff to the girls.  Mom and I watched HGTV which was our favorite thing to do during her last visit and Clint fed Maci before bedtime.  We will miss all the company and like Jack and Kathy, cant wait for them to visit again!!!!

 I LOVE MY GRANDMA JANET!!!  I remember her helping me when I was sick with RSV!!!

Nanny & Grandpa Mondell Visit & Easter Bunny Came on Daddy's Birthday!!!

Thursday - Maci and I had lunch with our mommy and me group on Thursday since so many of us had company coming or were going out of town for Easter.  It was the typical great time and we are going to miss getting to do this every week!  But our group of moms has become great friends so besides our Facebook group where we share laughs, tears and crazy baby advice/stories, we are also planning on meeting on a monthly basis after this class ends =)

Friday - Maci was so excited when I told her that her Grandparent Mondell's were coming for the weekend and that Grandma Janet and Aunt Molly would be right behind them! 

Kathy and Jack got here really early Friday morning and Clint hung out with them until about 5a before they all went to bed.  We then slept in a bit before having a nice breakfast that Kathy brought and finally getting ready for Mall of America.  It was a very sunny day so we had to dress Maci appropriately for the ride!!  Too bad the restaurant we ate lunch at was too loud (Dick's Last Resort) & Maci screamed the whole time.  But her grandparents bought her some cute new clothes so it made the trip awesome anyway!  We then ate some yummy Mexican food for dinner (Rojo at the West End).

On Saturday, we took Jack and Kathy to our Costco to see the cheap liquor they can buy in bulk =)  We then had lunch at Toby Keith's Bar which Clint has been wanting to take them to since we moved to Minneapolis almost 2 years ago!  It was a great lunch and afterward we enjoyed Maci and basketball back at our house.  With all the running it was nice to bring in carry out Famous Dave's for Dinner and get to bed at an ok hour, the Easter Bunny had to come after all!!

Easter was an awesome day!!!  Not only was it Maci's 1st Easter but it was also Clint's 35th Birthday!  Clint got spoiled this year with a Dyson Vacuum and IPad that the whole family contributed towards.  He was very excited about both!  Maci got her first basket and loved the books and toy the bunny brought her!  We then went to 9a service and it was PACKED but Maci was so cute in her little dress.  She was such a happy baby because we let her go brace free!!!  She smiled and cooed/talked the first half of service and then slept the second half - GOOD GIRL!!  We then went to Stella's Fish Cafe in Uptown for our Lunch/Clint Bday Celebration before taking Kathy to the airport.  What a FUN Sunday and Visit!!  We cant wait for them to come again soon!!!

 WOW CHECK OUT MY BASKET!!                               THE BUNNY WAS GREAT!!!

These are my Parents - Did you know it was my Daddy's Birthday?!  He is OLD!!!  =)

This is my Nanny and Grandpa Mondell - I just wouldn't cooperate for a Picture!!!!  =(

MY PRETTY 1st EASTER DRESS!!!!