Baby Mondell is a . . . . . BOY!

Monday/Tuesday were fairly normal days with Tuesday evening being national night out.  Our awesome neighborhood had an ice cream get together that evening in one of the cul-de-sacs and it was great to see the usual and meet some new people too!  It was way too late of a night for the kiddos considering we all headed home around 9p.  However, we were far too excited/anxious to sleep because Wednesday morning was our 19 week ultrasound!  First and foremost, we were anxious to hear everything looked normal aka healthy.  Secondly, we were excited to hopefully hear gender so this planner of a momma could start prepping for #2.  The doctor's office LOVES to make my already anxious appointments even more anxiety ridden by not starting them on time and instead bringing us back 20 mins late - URGH!  However, once we were in the room I got really excited to see baby again!  The ultrasound tech was awesome and told us everything she was measuring as she went and kept saying "looks great" or "we look for this and this and it all looks great!"  This was such a huge relief and made me far more relaxed as the appointment went along.  At the very end of the 45 mins I started to think she forgot about our gender request or she was going to tell us she couldn't get baby to move that way, even though baby moved the whole time.  Turns out I just stink at reading ultrasounds because at the end she froze the screen and said "well is that clear enough?!"  And well Yes, Yes it was - we are surely having a BOY!  I started to cry a bit as I was truly happy with either gender but I knew what a boy would mean to Clint and finishing our family.  The ultrasound tech had a good laugh at our expense because she swore we would have figured it out at some point since we have a little flasher on our hands, he was sharing the goods the entire time :)  Mind you, I can't tell when we are looking at head vs belly HAHA

Traditional - Wear the Color of the Gender to Work - Plan

Clint and I proceeded to float on Cloud 9 the remainder of the day both due to a healthy baby/pregnancy and a boy to add to our wonderful little family!

The week progressed with some more baby fun as we had my co-worker & friend (Megan's) work baby shower on Thursday afternoon/early evening.  It was so great to see everyone, especially our former boss SVO who made a fun appearance for baby Rogers.

The Retiree & Momma to Be with U of Minn Gear

 The Cargill Baby Shower Attendees & Momma to Be

While we had baby shower fun, Maci got to have some face painting fun at school.  However, I don't know why they called it face painting when her arm was painted instead.  Either way, you can see this girl is OBSESSED with Minnie Mouse :)

Friday - My week couldn't be all fun and joy unfortunately.  On Friday I attended the funeral of one of the tax leadership team member's daughter's.  She was only 26 years old and died unexpectedly in her sleep the week prior.  It was heart breaking for our entire team and the surprise of it all sent everyone into a state of shock.  Through autopsy they saw she had something with a heart valve, most likely since birth.  We will probably never know why that night it gave out and of course this was never a known issue in her entire life just so hard to wrap your mind around.  Needless to say we have all hugged our kids a little tighter since this incident.  I was doing well walking into the funeral until I started to see photo boards of her as a little girl and child around Maci's age.  In addition, you saw way too many 20 something year olds than any funeral should ever have to have present :(  It was a beautiful service but rarely a dry eye in the house.  After leaving work that day, Clint and Maci headed over to her pal Natalie's house since Jacey was on a girls weekend and Ryan had the girls.  I was so exhausted from the emotionally trying day and from growing a child inside of me that I headed home and truly fell asleep by 7p.

Water Day - Maci Doing Chores & Washing the Cars ;-)

Saturday - We have really started attacking our home "to do" list since we prioritized many things as summer needs since they require warm weather or we just want to get them done before we are too close to baby.  Fortunately while Maci wouldn't call this her favorite weekend, we were able to check many off that list!  We started the day with soccer and then Milo had his annual vet appointment - yes, we still have our cat HA wouldn't know from the amount of time we spend talking about him ;-)  I ordered Maci's big girl bedding online from Pottery Barn Kids (can't wait).  From there we went to Costco and secured our new TV for the basement living room and a new King Mattress for our master bedroom - Wahoo!!  After wrangling the logistics to get those items home, we were off to Ikea (BE GOOD MACI) for bedding for the new bed, shelving for Maci's soon to be big girl room and a new duvet for the guest bedroom.  We actually had a really good trip and Maci was a fairly decent shopping helper.  We then spent the evening putting together the king bed and setting everything up just in time for bed - AHhhh rest!

Sunday - Clint golfed with some neighborhood guys this morning while Maci and I ran the grocery errand and got her some new gym shoes.  Side Note : I loathe anything Frozen right now!  It took me 3 tantrums and an extra 20 mins to get her out of Kohl's because of damn Frozen!  There were the Frozen shoes she "had to try on" (ugly as sin if you ask me), the Frozen bedding display which she "really wants for her new room" (ugh NO) and finally the worst one - the Frozen suitcase which she needs because "I am leaving you to the airport mean mommy!"  I mean seriously the movie is cute but is there anything they haven't merchandised from this movie?!?!?!  OK end rant!  Once we got home Maci refused to nap as I started to go through the massive bins of girl clothes (3 piles : Sell, Donate, Keep).  Since we are having a boy the keep pile is small and the sell pile is HUGE - thank goodness for Facebook garage sales (& Lisa for telling me about them!)  Today alone we already sold our old night stands and a toddler hamper we don't use for Maci.  Yay!  Once Clint got home we ran some more errands, finished putting together our old bed in the guest bedroom and re-making the bed with the new duvet etc.  Woah we are whooped but so productive!!!  Now we are resting and watching the Vikings Pre-Season game and mentally preparing for the week ahead.

Lots of Love,
C, K, M & Baby Boy Mondell

Friends' WeekendVacation in Duluth!!

We had a very brief work week since we were taking Friday off work for our much awaited, fun Duluth weekend with friends!!  Before heading up north, Maci of course got to have a few fun activities at school including a petting zoo with a cow who bumped her booty with his head :)  In addition I turned 18 weeks and had another bump picture of the ever growing tummy!

Dance Party! 

 Everything is Exciting with a Toddler - including a frog on the outdoor wall!

Week 18

Friday - We woke up and completed some necessary errands around the house before packing and loading the car for Duluth!  We made a quick stop at the bagel shop, bank and mailbox before we were off on the ~2.5 hour drive.  On the way up we decided to stop for lunch at Gordy's Hi Top restaurant which received rave reviews from a few co-workers.  We had the typical cheeseburger and fries + onion rings.  It was really good but sometimes places are built up just a little too much by those that love them :)  We pulled into Duluth around 1230p and confirmed the hotel wasn't yet ready so we headed down to canal park for some tourist fun!

 "Mom, Look, Water in There!"

Around 3p all the other families arrived and it was time to check into our hotel/water park.  As soon as everyone got settled we headed right down to the water park and splashed until about 6p.  All the kids started off a little skittish but were resembling fish by the end of the day.  We decided to brave it and went out to dinner Friday night at Grandma's a famous place in the Duluth area.  The kids were a bit NUTS and the wait for a table was long but we all survived and the parents at least had some good laughs.  It is a little fun to see a hostesses face when you say "8 adults, 4 toddlers with chairs and 3 babies needing car seat slings"  Umm yeah!

The BEST of Friends

 Reunited and it feels so good. . . 

 Emmet's parents hadn't parked yet so only 3 toddlers in this pic

Saturday - This morning was the much awaited "Thomas the Train" event on the local rail line.  While the train ride itself was a little disappointing (25 mins with most of the time spent changing tracks) we had a blast at all the outdoor activities which were included with the tickets : bounce house, bounce slide, foam party, coloring, tattoos, face paint etc.

Our Motley Crew!

 Family of 3.5

 Foam/Bubble Fun!

After we wore them out from Thomas we headed to Pizza Luce for lunch.  This was our last meal/event with the Fike's (Emmet's family) since Vinny works Sun-Thurs as a railroad engineer (in the cities).  The kids did pretty well at the restaurant and we braved a group picture :)

 Sticker Fun!

After lunch it was back to hotels for naps and then more water park fun!  Around 6p we were all starving and couldn't envision another restaurant so we ordered subs for delivery to the hotel.  It was awesome and such a pretty night.  We ate on picnic tables out back by the outdoor pool/playground/putt putt golf!  The kids ate great and had so much fun not being confined to a restaurant - great idea!

 Sunday - We all packed up to head home and then headed to Black Woods for brunch and supposedly some amazing bloody Mary's (Halston/Ryan/Clint love their bloody Mary's)!  After brunch we all hit the road to head home.  We then spent the afternoon running errands and getting the group gift ready for my work friend Megan's shower this coming Thursday!  We are now wrapping up laundry, pondering dinner plans and getting prepped for the coming week at work.

On Wednesday we have our 18-20 week ultrasound and hope to hear all is healthy in addition to potentially hearing gender!  We will be sure to share updates here shortly after hearing the news!  Please say some prayers that all continues as planned :)

Lots of Love,
C, K & M

Maci is Officially 2 1/2

This week was fairly run of the mill with not too much going on other than some daycare fun here and there, busy meetings and Hot/Humid weather!  

Weekday Fun!

Story Time with Miss Alana 

 Best Friends Matching on a Monday

 Costume Kim Visited as a Butterfly

 Baby Bump Pic Time Again - Week 17 

(Just a tad bigger this time around)

 Someone has a new favorite hairdo - piggy braids!

They make her look way too old!!!  Tears!

 Sliding at School

 Letting their Butterflies Go

Friday - Clint picked up Maci and they were already watching the Lil Mermaid (new favorite movie) by the time I got home.  We then spent the evening chasing each other with the hose and cuddling - Love Friday nights!

Saturday - Maci had her 2nd week of soccer this week and was much more involved while still timid at times.  She really loves to kick the ball "BIG"  At least she shows up dressed like an athlete this week and well she may participate because she is promised M&Ms afterward ;-)

After soccer, we ran to Babies' R Us to get my friend from work (Megan's) shower gift.  Maci was actually really good for being in a toy store and not having anything bought for her, besides some new sunglasses for the car.  By then it was time for nap and thankfully Maci took a decent one which allowed for me to do the same.  After naps, we headed to the natural pool/beach again.  Maci had a blast and was quite the fish this time.  It has been so hot that the water felt like a bathtub - so nice for a few hours of cooling off.

After a late dinner, Maci and I cuddled and headed to bed (pool will do that to you) but Clint went next door for a housewarming party.  I was far too tired from a long day to be able to join even though I really had wanted to go.  At least Clint was able to make an appearance for our family - welcome Eric & Amanda!

Sunday - Maci and I headed to get donuts for breakfast while Clint took a morning run.  I then got a few things done around the house before heading to Megan's baby shower at 11a.  The shower was great and thankfully Maci was a good girl for her dad.  After the shower, I ran the weekly grocery trip before coming home to relieve Clint.  Maci and I spent some time out back playing in her kiddie pool and water table.  We wrapped up a few hours ago for dinner, bath and Maci bedtime.  Now I am doing the usual Sunday activities and getting ready for another week ahead.  We hope you all have a wonderful week and try to stay cool in all this heat & humidity!

Going to Town on Popcorn - What a Hog!

No Power = No Fun!!

This week seemed to fly and Maci continues to have a ball at daycare with her summer activities.  Clint and I went to our week 16 Dr appointment on Monday and things continue to seem normal which normal is very good to me :)  The heartbeat was at 150 and we have discussed scheduling our C-Section for Dec 28th.  We also moved up our 20 week ultrasound to Aug 5th with our fingers crossed we get to learn gender just a little sooner as well as seeing a healthy baby!

Playing in Boy Snow Boots Since She Chose to Pee into her Gym Shoes

 Almost Butterflies!

 Musical Instruments 

 Selfies & Kisses with Miss Alana 

Friday - It was a gorgeous and HOT day!  We got out of work and came home for the regular pizza Friday dinner.  Afterward we headed over to our neighbor's the Verplank's who have twin girls a month younger than Maci.  They have an inground pool so we had a bit of a pool party even though all the girls were more into the sandbox and doll babies :)  We headed home around kid bedtime and Clint went back over for a bonfire with the guys.  That night around midnight we had a big storm roll in which ultimately knocked out the power around 1a.

Saturday - Well we woke up to no power but we were hopeful it would only be a few more hours.  We didn't have much time to think about this as we had to grab some breakfast and head to Maci's first soccer camp!  Well I must have been more excited than her because she kind of stood to the side, wouldn't let go of my leg and at one point wandered away by herself towards the high school.  Let's hope it was just first day jitters and next week goes a little smoother :)

After the 30 min session ended, we went to the nearby park with my friend from work (Lisa) and her family since Brody is in the same soccer class as Maci.  Fortunately she was a bit more social at this playground outing but it too ended in tears b/c she didn't want to leave - ahhh toddler drama!

We ran several errands throughout the day and alas the power never came back on :( I had a bit of a meltdown around dinner after sweating through a nap!  You don't realize how much you love your power until it is gone!  Plus, I couldn't get any of the regular weekend errands done like grocery, laundry etc until we had power - so annoying!

Sunday - Happy 7 Year Anniversary to Us!  It didn't feel like a very special anniversary this year because we were in the midst of house chores, no power and a dramatic toddler.  However, we wouldn't have had it any other way :)  We had a nice breakfast at Egg & I and then waited at the house hoping and praying along with the other neighbors that the power would be back soon.  Fortunately at 145p the power was back!!!!!  We all jumped into productive mode at that minute and started laundry, sanded the fence post tops so we could cap them, ran to the grocery etc.  Thankfully we were able to jam in all the regular weekend errands into basically a Sunday afternoon.  We did take a quick break for a random Burger King lunch.

1st Burger King Crown!

We ended our evening with bath time and Punch Pizza - quite the anniversary dinner :)  Maci fortunately went to bed at a good time after not napping all day.  Now Clint is enjoying Sons of Anarchy and I am finishing up a few things before the week ahead.  We hope to share the salad from our dinner on the porch, minus whiny toddler talk, before we are ready to crash in bed from an exhausting weekend!!!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & #2 to be