Chester just had a huge breakthrough! We haven't taken him "out for a walk" in the hall since we got back because we didn't really need to. He's walking entirely on his foot on the wood floor, and he's been content to just have us back.
Tonight though he was antsy to explore. Gyan isn't here to play with him, and I am just not adequate at playing. Chester sat by the door like he does when he wants to go out, so I took him out. I couldn't find his favourite ball, so I tried a different toy to medium success. Then Chester started sniffing everyone's door and the doors to the stairwells. I've tried to take him in there a few times, and before the whole surgery debacle, he went up a few with me. Since the surgeries, he will barely go into the stairwells at all.
Today though, with a few pets and encouragements, he went up them like a champ. We went up and down, and even checked out the two floors above me. And when someone came out into the hall - a feat which usually has him sprinting for home - he went right up to them curiously. He got a bit scared off at a loud door close, and rand down a couple flights. But when I opened the door to the right floor, he ran up an entire flight of stairs and ran into the hallway, and sat next to his home door. He then got a special not diet approved treat and we snuggled for a few minutes. Now he's lazily sitting on the couch like he's a big deal.
I'm so proud of him. He's come so ridiculously far. Who even knows the kitty he will turn out to be with stability and safety now the norm in his life. I'm so excited! Plus, stairs are probably a great exercise for him to be partaking in these days…
And just because he's adorable. Here's a picture of him taking over my computer with his extra-chunky, extra-fiesty self

After a long, long time of stressful traveling, Gyan and I are finally reunited with our cheese-monster. All I want to do for the next three weeks is snuggle with him and never leave my couch. Chester is quite insistent on this plan as well. If only life didn't get in the way of our sloth-ing.
Chester had a fun-filled 10 days with his new-found friend, Franklin at our friend's apartment. After a settling-in period, they realized it was better for everyone to become friends. Chester was actually only supposed to spend a couple days at Frank's, but they were having so much fun, he stayed there the whole time instead. Here are some pictures we were provided with...

It was great to hear that while we were away, Chester and Franklin were happily playing and getting along. I'm sure he had a great time with his new friends.
Chester was dropped back off at our place a few hours before we got back and was there to greet us when we returned. He did so by popping out by the door, then running under the bed for a few hours and refusing to come out.
Once he did come out, we realized that this little kitty had gained 3 WHOLE POUNDS! That's an impressive feat for a person in 10 days, but for a 10 pound kitty? I hope he didn't eat all of Franklin's food...or Franklin for that matter. Holy cow.
So, our pudgy little lovebird is SO relieved we are home. He follows me around every step I take and will not rest until he is on my lap or face or in some kind of contact. He has yet to stop purring since we've arrived. Someone missed us.
He also was an oily-matted mess. He's usually VERY conscientious of his appearance and is well groomed at all times. It seems as though he was so upset at us being gone that he gave up on that for the week. At least on his back and sides. Poor boy just let himself go.
I spent 2 hours brushing him and trying to make his coat less greasy, then hours upon hours snuggling him. He is back on a diet, and happily grooming himself while sure to always be next to one of us.
The good news is, that after the mess we went through with airlines both there and back, I am settled on never traveling again (at least for a while) so he doesn't have to be so anxious for a long time to come.
I guess if I ever had doubts that he loved us, they are now quelled. 

Sorry for the lack of updates. Gyan and I have been running around like crazy the last couple weeks. Chester is probably the most healthy aspect of our lives actually!
He's doing fantastic. He's walking on his foot almost all the time now! He has developed a new love of forts, has had some play dates with a friend's cat, and is disembowelling ever toy we throw his way. 
He and Gyan are currently busy building a sheet-fort and attacking each other at the moment. He discovered this new obsession while we were trying to hang dry some laundry

We are leaving on Friday for a week and a half to go to yet another wedding in Michigan. So Chester gets to stay with another cat for a part of that. We took him over for a trial play-date yesterday. Chester desperately wanted to be friends, Franklin was less than thrilled about a new encroacher on his territory. Chester would follow Franklin around and sniff him, Franklin would hiss, Chester would back away all hurt and sad. This would repeat a few times until Franklin just left the room entirely. Hopefully they figure out their differences. Chester desperately wants a friend.
For now he has us.

and his good looks

And super cheap locally raised, free range raw food I found at the farmer's market.
And the ability to always get what he wants by whining enough. Or purring enough if it's really tough to crack us.
Life is just so rough for a little tri-and-a-half-pod