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