Recovery Week 1 & Connor Turns 9 Months

This week was pretty successful all in all.  Clint hit every milestone the way the Drs would want to see.  He was able to get his 2nd drain out on Monday (a huge relief and comfort for him!)  While at that apt we also heard the results of the pathology review of the tissue removed.  There was cancer on both sides of the thyroid, to be expected, but only 1 of 22 lymph nodes had cancer - the 1 lymph node he found that was swollen.  That means this is a really good sign for how early he caught this and it is already a fairly slow to progress cancer.  We are getting more and more excited to have this put behind us in no time.  Clint will likely meet with his endocrinologist in a week and then do the radioactive iodine treatment (final step) in a few more weeks.  Clint has been a great patient and is starting to feel back to himself and functioning which makes a great difference as well.  We can't thank everyone enough for all the kind words, prayers, meals, kid play time, get well gifts etc.  We have a wonderful support system and we hope to be able to repay the favor but in very different circumstances!

Other things occurred in the Mondell house beyond Clint's Dr updates.  These are the experiences that help to keep everything in perspective and keep a smile on Clint's face!

Connor Started Some Table Foods

 I mean seriously - he is like a porcelain doll ;-)

Sharing a School Bus w Baby Friend

Wednesday our littlest buddy turned 9 months!

On Thursday morning he had his 9 month check up.  Clint was feeling up to it so we were able to go together.  The Dr reminded us that it is a OK that he is not crawling because he has his own way of getting around (body surfing, rolling etc) and that Maci was our gross motor skill "freak" with her crawling at 5 months and walking at 9 months.  It is crazy to think how different they are at this stage because Connor is not Mr Gross Motor Skill but his Fine Motor Skills put hers to shame at this same stage.  He is a healthy lil guy around 20% of weight and 60% for height - Mr tall man who we love so!  Oh and he HATES shots where Maci sees it as a challenge and attempts to not even cry HA

Friday - So mentioned earlier that in the afternoon we had Clint's post op apt and all seems to be going is planned WHEW!  We grabbed kiddos around 5p and Maci was so excited to hear that when she got home there were some things to try on - she was pretty smart and realized Halloween Costumes had arrived :)  YAY!!  Maci loved hers so much she begged me to let her leave it on until Paige (friend from work) arrived with our meal drop off.  Maci was so excited to show off her costume and even had a bit of a fit getting out of it after Paige left - she is PUMPED!

Dorothy Super Fan!

Didn't Intend to Use the Wig Until She LOVED It!

Ahh - So Excited for Halloween!

Dorothy and Cowardly Lion = Mondells

Glenda Good Witch & Wicked Witch of West = Cassems

Tin Man & Scarecrow = Zehrs

Also on Friday evening my dear friend from high school, Emily, got married in Cincinnati.  We had all the airline plans ready since May but unfortunately when Clint's surgery was scheduled we learned we wouldn't be able to go.  They wouldn't clear Clint to fly that soon after surgery and I didn't feel comfortable leaving him with or without kiddos alone.  Emily understood but I was still disappointed that I missed yet another dear friends wedding (Christie's when I was uber preggers last year).  Thankfully I have some amazing friends who ensured I had regular pictures throughout the night.

Congrats Emily & Ben

Saturday - We started our Saturday with heading back to dance class.  The whole family was eager to get back into the routine of Saturday morning class.  Maci was so excited and was the only kiddo there this week so it was like a fully private lesson - so fun!  Maci is such a cutie bootie in the class and the teachers are sweet as can be - so fun!

After class we decided to hit up Egg & I for some breakfast - Clint was loving being out and about again!  Maci was excited to introduce Connor to the pony ride but he isn't strong enough to hang on and not bang his mouth on the steal horsey so he only rode a bit and then Maci got 1 1/2 rides :)

Study Brother Eating some Eggs

The rest of the day was fairly relaxed.  Clint's co-worker Cathe brought her daughter Leisan over around 3p to be my "mommy helper" for the rest of the afternoon.  Maci had fun playing with a new friend and Connor/I took advantage of the help and hit up the grocery.  Cathe was back a little before 6p with Pappa Murphy's pizza and snacks in tow - see how amazing everyone has been?!  We spent the rest of the evening chilling out watching football and Beauty & the Beast for the 2nd time this weekend.  We love the weekends!

Sunday - We are planning another fairly chill day.  Clint is running a quick errand, he loves having the freedom to drive again, while I am watching Beauty & the Beast for the 3rd time this weekend :)  We are all dressed in our Bengals gear, even Clint who has potentially given up on his Dolphins at the earliest part of the season I have ever seen.  We are excited for the noon game and then around 3p Clint's co-worker Carol comes over to do some "mommy helper" action again.  I may run to grab some dinner, work on my to do list for work, get some thank yous done or just read my book.  Sounds like a great day plan to me.  Thank God for Football!

HAHA 

We thought we would leave you with some Bengal Tiger Facial Masks

I found these at Target yesterday and they were a must for our game day preparation :)

Afterward Maci says, "Mom, I don't have my football stuff on yet!" Love that Girl

We are back to our routine a bit more this week.  I will be back in the office each day, kids are at school and Clint has this last week of recouping before heading back into the office.  We are very excited for the Bengals/Dolphins Thursday night game as well!  We hope all of you have a wonderful week of fall fun and hopefully gorgeous weather.

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

Surgery Week

What a busy, stressful but blessed week and weekend we have had!

The week started with Picture Day on Monday for the kiddos.  I know we are partial but how cute are these kiddos?!

Color Coordinating Momma

They did great with their pictures and Maci was so excited that momma came to pick up ONLY her for a special trip.  My HR team meetings were starting on Tuesday so we went over to Lauren's house for some socializing and snacking.  Many of us brought a kiddo due to hectic weekday evenings with families and Maci was a really good girl.  She loved playing with Lauren's "big" girls who are 1st and 3rd grade.  What a fun night with my girlie!  We even did a secret nugget run on the way home, she felt so cool!

Then on Tuesday I had a long but good day.  It started with a 7a call with a colleague in Europe and ended with a team event doing "cupcake wars" at a bakery downtown.  Needless to say I was quite excited to smell a bakery and be behind the counter yet again :)  We had split into teams and had to decorate cupcakes in alignment with certain themes - so fun and WOW do we have some creative people on our global team!

While I was busy with work events, the kids had a great day at school and we already got to see Maci and Connor's photo proofs - I mean seriously how stinking cute are they and Connor man with his hair LOVE!!

Baby Fun!

Mom Bought Them All - Digital Versions

Our kiddos were like the cutest things ever on Thursday morning!  It was like they knew we needed it getting prepared for what was to come on Friday.  First, Connor wakes up and just looks like this (GOD WE LOVE THIS BOY!)

Then, when Connor was crying on the floor, Maci walks right over to offer toys and play with him - what a great Sister!!

Daycare also had great fun in the baby room celebrating Mexican heritage which led to awesome pictures of babies being silly!  What a welcomed surprise to receive on my phone during meetings.

Lastly, we were welcomed to a double rainbow outside our house after a rain shower that evening.  How cool is this image?!

Friday - Before we knew it, it was the day of surgery!  Clint was fairly anxious but also ready to get things moving forward.  I dropped him at the hospital at 6a, headed to take the zombie kiddos *man that was early* to daycare and then met back up with Clint in his pre-op room.  Clint was doing great but the IV wasn't going in as one would hope.  After 3 attempts and Clint almost fainting/sweating buckets - it was in!  The anesthesiologist could tell Clint was on edge and offered a slight sedative to help him relax.  From there on out, Clint was more laid back than I have ever seen him and I was glad he could calm down.  I shed just a few tears and wished him luck before heading down to the lobby area.  I worked on random emails from there until lunch time.  At lunch our good friend Lori met up with me and brought yummy Chipotle.  Around 1p, our friend Halston also joined the waiting.  It was so nice to have the two of them hang out with me through a LONG afternoon.  Around 3p I spoke with the surgeon who shared the surgery went as well as anticipated.  Unfortunately, I didn't see Clint as soon as expected given issues with blood pressure.  Time wasn't in in our favor any longer so Halston left with my car to pick up the kids while Lori and I waited to see Clint.  Sadly when I saw Clint around 6p he was in quite a bit of pain and disoriented.  I attempted to help get him comfortable with the nurses and left around 7p once the morphine drip had put him to sleep.  That night Halston stayed over so she could help again in the morning with the kiddos - we have so many great friends!! Clint sent a text at 245a just to let me know he was doing ok - thank God!

Saturday - I hit up the hospital at 9a and Halston sent some cute pictures of our kiddos having a good time with her.  Clint appreciated seeing his kiddos that he missed dearly!

Around lunch I relieved Halston and fed the kiddos their lunch before they were off to their next stop with the Idle's (friends from Cargill).  Once again my kids were good and had a great time while I was at the hospital with daddy.  Thankfully Clint was feeling quite a bit better and was far more with it than the day prior.

Around 5p I left for the night, picked up the kids and we had dinner at home.  

Someone had a great time!

While eating, we were able to FaceTime with my family who were at my Uncle Tom's wedding.  It was nice to see everyone even if they couldn't hear us.  I then enjoyed the OSU game while doing laundry and attempting to put the house in order - not enough time in the days :)

Sunday - My good friend Megan came over with her precious daughter Avery to help watch kiddos in the morning.  Shortly after arriving at the hospital, the Dr came by and gave Clint the green light to be discharged.  They were able to remove one of the drains out of his neck but one had to stay until likely Monday.  However, Clint was appreciative to head home vs sitting in a hospital room any longer.  We got home around noon and after Clint settled in, I ran Maci to Gina/Vinny's house to play with Emmett.  We kept Connor at home since he is easier to take care of here vs packing everything up.  Maci was pumped to play with her buddy and was so happy to see daddy back at home!  I have now been playing mom, nurse and housekeeper today.  Needless to say I am getting tired too but I am so glad to have my whole family back under one roof!  I will be working from home this week thanks to a very flexible team!  

Throughout this journey thus far, Clint and I have said many times that we are overwhelmed by how many people are praying for us, thinking about us, offering to help and assisting us - we have some really awesome people in our lives and we can't even begin to think how best to thank each and every one of you!  We are so appreciative of the generosity and will happily repay if any of our loved ones are unfortunately in a similar situation one day. XOXOXO

Life is Good!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

NFL is Back & Lots of Selfie Fun

We had a lovely rest of the long holiday weekend with a very chill Monday.  I headed to get a much needed massage in the morning while Clint took the kiddos to the local park on a gorgeous morning!

We bummed around the house the rest of the day and got ready for the short week ahead.

The rest of the week went pretty fast with the whole family getting excited for the NFL to be back on Thursday night.  However, since they weren't teams we cared about too much - the kids and I started playing with some fun snap chat filters.  Maci calls these the "silly selfies" HA so fun!

Friday - The kiddos represented daddy's dolphins by wearing team gear to daycare.  This was also a smart move by mom because this means they wear Bengals gear on Sunday. :)

Maci had a great day with Costume Kim coming to daycare, dressed up as an apple.

I picked up the kiddos and Clint cut the grass/grabbed Panera for dinner.  We had a lazy evening at home and got caught up on the Dateline Jon Benet Ramsey special.

Saturday - Maci had her first dance class!!  She was so dang excited!  Clint and I got a good glimpse of what she is going to be like when real school starts.  The girl couldn't wait to get up and get out of the house.

There will be 6 in her class but only Maci and 1 other little girl made it to week 1.  It was like they had a private lesson with the teacher, Miss Heather and her helper.  Maci loved following their every move.  It turns out I didn't need to keep reminding her to listen to her teacher - so cute!

After dance we hit the grocery and a few errands.  We were thinking of doing the apple orchard but Connor has started to get a late summer cold and we figured we shouldn't try to jam too much into 1 day.  So we headed home instead, got some laundry done, let Connor nap, watched college football and Maci played with her toys.  Around 5p we headed to the Cassem's house for pizza and a bonfire.  The bugs were so bad that only the guys sat outside and the girls suffered inside with all the kids.  I let it go though as this was a get together for Clint since he will be out for the count for the next few weekends.  We headed home around 9p when all the kids started to lose their minds and melt :)

Sunday - NFL is really back for our house!  We were going to have our friends the Brubacher's over but we asked for a rain check.  Last night was awful in our house.  Maci woke up with a crazy bad night terror.  Connor was up every few hours with his cold and teething so we are walking zombies today.  However, even being utterly exhausted, we are so excited to have football back on.  I have been attempting to get this blog done before the Bengals kick off so I must hurry.  I am hopeful for a good season ahead for both of our teams and even if not, we are just so happy to have this Sunday transition back!  After the Bengals conclude I will be hitting the work computer and to do list.  I have to get some things done since this week is crazy with all day HR team meetings Tues-Thurs and Clint's Surgery on Friday.  At least I have our fall white chicken chili cooking upstairs in prep for dinner.  :)

Momma Post Shower w. Her Bengal Tribe

 The Poser

 More Silly Faces w. Mom

 Yikes HA

About the coming week's surgery - I will plan to update the blog as usual on Sunday to share how Clint's surgery and weekend recovery goes.  In addition, I will call/text on Friday once I know how surgery went.  If you are the praying type, please send some up for my wonderful husband and our young family throughout the coming weekend which is sure to be stressful and a bit chaotic.  We know this will all be behind us soon but I hope he has as little pain as possible in the process.  Feel free to reach out if you are curious how things are going and I will respond when able.  We truly appreciate every kind word, prayer, offer to help and we want to celebrate with all of you once this bump in the road has ended.

Off to Football!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C