Reunited!

So happy to have Sophie home! She's a little smarty pants as well! I can't believe everything she can do! Beware... I'm about to seriously brag.

Here's her list of words:

Hi

Bye bye

Sophie

Baby

Uh oh

No

Yeah, yeah, yeah

Down

Up

Out

Thank you

happy

Auntie

Papa

Mommy

Daddy

Yabba Dabba Doo

Zap!

Choo choo

Amen

Woof Woof

Meow

Kitty

Doggy

Moo

Owie

Oh Man!

Nana (means food!)

Dora

Din ev Cry! (Didn't even Cry!) So cute!

I'd know! (I don't know! while shrugging her shoulder with hands out)

Nama (Grandma)

is lil piggy (This little piggy)

She can do "I'm a little teapot." "Itsy bitsy spider," "Patty-cake"

She blows kisses to EVERYONE

She can do a somersault!! I love it!

She recognizes Jesus and says "Jee-us!

And my FAVORITE thing! She can pray! I love it! I have the cutest video of her doing it. She folds her arms, squints her eyes, speaks a little gibberish, and says, "Amen!"

I'm so in love with my little peanut! When she came through security she was walking, she spotted me, and ran as fast as she could and jumped in my arms! I was crying my eyes out! She just layed her head on me. So so sweet! Cory and I are just eating her up!

She also got her first haircut today. It was very bittersweet... she looks like such a big girl! My baby is growing up!

P.S. Only two weeks of school and I'm DONE for good! Yahoo!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Our sweet Sophie and HUGE Bodie!

What are you having for dinner?

I haven't blogged much simply because there isn't a lot going on! Sophie is still cute as ever and is growing up before my eyes... I kind of hate it.

Here's the highlight of our week! We took Soph ice skating. She preferred being held rather than skating herself... but when she did it, she was pretty good!

Aren't the tiny skates to die for??

On another note... Cory and I are getting sick of our regular dinners. I swear we have about ten that we just cycle through! So, if anyone has some great, easy suggestions... I'm all ears!

Here are a few of our favs:

Chicken Fajitas

Chicken

Orange Pepper

World Harbors Fajita Sauce (in my grocery store its by the bbq sauce and ketchup)

Slice your chicken into strips. Put it in a pan with oil. When the chicken's a little over half way cooked I add the sliced pepper. When everything is cooked I pour on the fajita sauce and let it simmer for a bit. So easy!

Put it all on a warmed flour tortilla with your fav toppings... mine are a little cheese, sour cream, and lettuce. Cory likes to throw on some olives.

We have it with chips, guacamole, and mexican rice.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

I buy the Pillsbury pizza crust. So yummy.

Cook a large chicken breast in the oven on 350 for about 45-60 min. Let it cool and dice it.

Roll out my pizza dough.

Mix together BBQ sauce and a couple spoon fulls of Pesto sauce.

Slather it generously on the dough

Throw on the diced chicken, some mozzarella cheese, pineapple tidbits on my half, and olives on Cory's. (Are you noticing a trend that Cory really likes olives?) Sometimes Cory likes me to put pineapples on his half... and then he picks them off. Strange, right? Cory doesn't like warm fruit but, "likes the residue it leaves behind." Weirdo. Oh well, more pineapples for me.

Its ready in a jiffy. We throw together a salad and Voila! Dinner's ready.

Grandma's Lasagna Casserole

12 oz. Egg Noodles

1 c. cottage cheese

1 c. sour cream

1 can tomato sauce

1 lb. hamburger

Cheese

Brown the hamburger (I sprinkle on garlic salt and Italian seasoning) and boil the noodles. Combine everything in a casserole dish (minus the cheese). Sprinkle the top with cheese. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes. Throw together a salad or garlic bread. Yummm.

Another simple recipe is Spaghetti. I must admit, this is my favorite dinner (as well as Sophie's)

1 lb. hamburger

Beef smoked sausage

Spaghetti Noodles

Spaghetti Sauce... my fav is Classico Traditional Sweet Basil

I brown the hamburger and boil the noodles. When the hamburger is about halfway done I throw in the sausage. I only use half the package and slice the sausage into edible bites. I let the hamburger, sausage, and spaghetti sauce simmer for about 10 minutes... then we dig in!

I'm pretty sure my mom's the only person that reads this blog.... But, if someone else out there is reading this, please give me some of your recipe ideas! We are desperate to get out of this rut! :)

And I'll end the post with another darling picture of my little lady at a wedding we went to Friday night...

Introducing, Bodie

A week after Mherra died, we made the decision to get another dog. I definitely didn't want a puppy and we're all about adopting dogs from the humane society. Why support breeders when there's dogs in shelters waiting for families? The humane society uses ASPCA's Meet Your Match evaluation system to categorize dogs into specific energy levels (Purple, Orange or Green) and personalities (ie; Busy Bee, Wallflower, Go-Getter etc). They use this MYM system to match the new dog adopters lifestyle with a dog's personality to make a "perfect match". Mherra was a "Purple-Constant Companion" and she was great. We knew we wanted a "purple" dog, so that's the first thing we looked for. There were three purples at the humane society.

1. Achillies, he was a jumper- no, thank you.

2. Libby, she just didn't mesh well with me...

3. Bodie. 126 lbs of pure LOVE. A sweet Mastiff that looks eerily identical to Mherra (besides the enormous head)! He's a "purple- teachers pet" that loves to sleep and eat. We adopted him on Wednesday and every time we see him, we're still surprised by his size. He's 3.5 feet tall and 4 feet long. And I'm pretty sure Sophie thinks he's Mherra.

We're excited to have Bodie in our lives! However, we are not excited about his gas and enormous poops! :)

We love you, Mherra!

I have been avoiding writing this post because it makes me so sad. Our sweet Mimi dog got hit by a car last week. I'm not even kidding, it felt like we lost a family member. We adopted her in August of 2009. Everyone was skeptical (and by skeptical I mean condemning) that we adopted a pit bull while I was 5 months pregnant. However, we knew she was perfect for our family. She minded well, slept all day, protected our family, played with Soph, and adored Cory. She was all around a good doggy. The night she died was devastating. I'm not sure the last time I cried that hard. And seeing poor Cory so sad nearly broke my heart. They were the best buddies. I am super glad we adopted her though. We gave her and extra year and a half of life that she probably wouldn't have had if we didn't adopt her.

We love you Mherra!

Cory will miss playing hide and seek with you.

Sophie will miss laying on you and giving you fruit loops

I'll miss sharing my popcorn with you.

Success!!

Today was a success! I was ready for it to be a total failure because I decided to take away Sophie's bottles for good... She's no longer needs lactose free formula so I've completely transitioned her to cow's milk. She went down for her nap and only cried for two minutes! Then tonight when she went to bed she only cried for four minutes. I'm so proud of myself! We are now binky and bottle free in this home! Yahoo!

Now if I could just get rid of the diapers... haha jk :)

I love this sweet video... I was reminiscing with myself her newborn days...

(Sorry that the first few seconds with Cory are a little Blair Witch! Also, Cory really likes to get close ups!)

And... blowing kisses :)

Mherra

Today, Sophie realized Mherra likes snack time too! Hey... at least she's sharing!!

4-Wheelin'

Sophie riding on the back of her new 4-wheeler with her cousin Jaxen at her birthday party

Waffles!

The other day Cory and I taught Sophie how to dip her waffle into syrup. She definitely got the dipping part down :) She hates having dirty hands so I knew she'd love the concept!

Happy Birthday Sophie Joy!

Miss Sophie is ONE today. I may or may not have cried. I just love my little bug so much and she is special in every way. There isn't a day that goes by that someone doesn't tell me she is such a delightful and happy baby. We feel truly blessed to have her in our lives.

Here's what she's up to:

Walking, walking, walking!

She only has 3 teeth :)

She's a great eater

She blows kisses at everyone she see's

We can put her in her crib awake and she falls asleep by herself

Words:

Mama, dada, papa, nana (banana), dane do (Thank you), baby, Uh oh, peas (please), whasthat (what's that), night night, bye bye, hi!!

I say to her "blow a kiss" and she puts her hand up to her mouth and goes, MMMMUAHH!

So cute!!

Here's pics of one of her parties I planned. We did the exact same party in Logan on Wednesday night. I left my camera at my mom's so I'll have to get pics from friends asap!

See ya 2010!

The only hospital visit I enjoyed this year was the one that brought me my little Soph. Other than that, it's been an unhealthy year for me! However, I think my medical issues have come to an end.

On Wednesday, December 15 Soph and I flew to Indiana so I could figure out my medical problems. I saw a doctor on Friday who referred me to IU Medical Center to get an ERCP. Apparently IU has the best medical facility and doctors to perform this procedure. The possible complications to the ERCP were pretty scary, but the worst risk was pancreatitis! So, I wasn't too worried :)

The ERCP is an exploratory surgery and they actually ended up finding out what was wrong! I had Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD, which Cory calls Sphincter of Garfield. Hilarious, I know). Anyway, I feel so relieved. I was so grateful I didn't get pancreatitis and wasn't hospitalized over Christmas. I was sick for a few days but I am now feeling good.

I had the most wonderful Christmas with my family and Sophie was the cutest girl EVER! She had to take a nap after opening just two presents. Haha! She's a walking and talking machine. She walks everywhere and can even stand back up on her own if she falls. Her running is pretty hilarious too. I just love that little bug. I've got to starts writing down the things she says! I'll be so mad if I forget!

We also had the cutest birthday party for her Dec. 27 which was also Cory and I's 2 year anniversary! We have yet to celebrate our anniversary... but I'm sure we'll get around to it :) We're having another birthday party for her on Wednesday night here in Logan. I left my camera at my mom's so I'll post pictures soon!

My new year resolution? Stay away from the hospital!!

Deja Vu

So, I have pancreatitis again. Apparently, it is now considered Chronic Pancreatitis. It's terrible. Family and friends have been wonderful to take Sophie for us. Especially my mother in law, Virginia, who came over yesterday at 3am so Cory could take me to the ER and the Beorchia family who took her last night for a sleepover and still have her all day today. I'm very weak from not being able to eat and I'm very frustrated with my doctors. I was released yesterday with a referral to a GI doctor... who isn't able to see me until Jan 17. What am I supposed to do until then? My mom got me into a few doctors in Indiana... so Sophie and I are headed home early to get me taken care of. Its frustrating that I have to fly to Indiana to get the medical attention that I need, don't you think?

My mom and dad feel terrible for me... but they are not hiding their excitement that they get to see their little Sophie a week and a half early :) (even though my mom just left 10 days ago!) I've flown with Sophie about seven times (alone) but I've never flown with her while in pain. Cross your fingers and say a little prayer.

I'm going to miss my husband so much. He has been the best person during all my medical problems. He takes care of me, Sophie, and keeps the home spotless while I lay in bed feeling like a loser wife. I'm so lucky to be married to him.

Update

I haven't blogged lately. I've been really sick and in the hospital... and I just haven't felt the want to blog :) But, if you're dying for an update on the Clayburn Family, here goes...

Sophie stayed at my mom and dad's for a week in Indiana. I had 30 hours of clinicals to do this semester and I still needed 20 more come October. I missed my little bug so much, but I also got so much stuff done. The first night Cory and I went grocery shopping and kept saying, "this is so weird to not have her here!" In the middle of the night I would wake up thinking I could hear her talking. Cory said it happened to him a few times too. When my mom flew her back we were ecstatic to see her! She seemed like such a big girl after 8 days and she definitely packed on the pounds at grandmas! She came back a little chunk!

My mom stayed in town for about 5 days. It was great having her around. Cory and I just never get sick of her!

The day before Thanksgiving I started feeling pain where my gallbladder used to be. It was bearable for a while but then I was in excruciating pain. I called Cory at work and said, "you got to come home now and take me to the ER." He came so fast and called his mom to come watch Soph. I was so frantic that I started running around cleaning my house cause she was coming. It kind of reminded me of when I was pregnant :) We went to the hospital and found out I had pancreatitis. We planned on staying overnight and I figured I'd discharge Thursday or Friday at the latest. We called our dear friend Mireesa to have Sophie over for a sleepover so Cory could stay at the hospital with me. I was put on a liquid diet and poor Cory had Thanksgiving turkey dinner from the hospital cafeteria. Thursday night was pretty bad and I got very sick with the worst migraine. I have never had a migraine before... and let me tell you, they suck. Friday was probably the worst day I've ever had in my life. I'm not exaggerating. I was in terrible pain. I had two doctors assigned to me and neither one knew what to do. I had 3 CT scans, 2 MRI's, chest x-rays, an MRCP scan, a Lumbar Puncture (spinal tap), dozens of blood draws... I was tested for HIV, Hepatitis, Pancreatic Cancer, a brain aneurysm and a million other tests. It was a nightmare. My sweet husband just stayed by my side while nurses came in with masks and double gloved cause they thought I was contagious with something severe. After my terrible day on Friday my sweet dad bought my mom a plane ticket (from their Thanksgiving vacation in Florida) to come take care of me and help with Sophie. Cory and I were relieved to have her in town since Sophie was very sick as well. I was released on Monday and they said I had a severe virus that caused pancreatitis, pneumonia, and migraines. I went to get my prescription for the migraine medicine and the pharmacist said he's never seen a doctor prescribe that high of doses for the med and that he and no other pharmacist in Logan could fill the prescription! Geez. I had to wait for them to order it in. I was discharged at 12:15 and Sophie had a doctors appointment at 12:30 and we found out she had Adenovirus (yes, one word). Poor girl was puking everything she ate. She was so hungry and just cried and cried :( It broke my heart. She got put on an antibiotic and is doing much better now. I went for a follow up appointment on Wednesday and they told me I had a cyst in my cheek that needed to be removed and it was attributing to my headaches. So, I'm scheduling the procedure to be done.

SO... that's why I haven't blogged :) Hope you forgive me.

On the bright side, we leave to my mom and dad's in 20 days and will be staying for 10 days :) Little Miss Sophie will be 11 months old on the 8th. I can't even believe it.

Here's some snipets of what she's up to:

Words:

Mama

Dada

Hiiiii!

Whats that?

Woah!

Pee Eww! (while holding her nose)

Roll (rolling her hands for patty-cake)

Ya, ya, ya!

Peeboo (Peek-a-boo)

She's walking a few steps on her own without the help of anything but then she kneels down and crawls after 3 or 4 steps.

She's binky free (yahoo!) but is definitely a thumb sucker. This month I'm going to ween her off of bottles and start trying cow's milk with just a sippy cup. Wish me luck!

3 more days...

I've been away from my sugar plum for 5 days. It's killing me! Especially when my mom sends me the cutest pictures and videos of her. It's worse when my mom calls on speaker phone and Sophie hears me and says, "Momma." Oh :( But she has learned so much while she has been there. She can do Patty Cake... she claps her hands and then knows how to do "roll it and roll it" and she circles her little hands. So cute!! Also, she can blow kisses. I must get a video of it asap!

Soph's Vocab:

Momma

Dad

Baby

Baba

Whastha

Let me explain the "whastha." When we were visiting, my mom kept saying to Sophie, "whats that?" anytime she had a toy or was looking at something. My mom would whisper it in her ear. Shortly after whenever my mom said it, Sophie would whisper whas-tha in attempt to copy my mom. She does it all the time now. It's hilarious.

I was worried Sophie would start walking while she was at my moms but luckily she hasn't. She has taken mini steps on her own and she's really close... standing on her own all the time or pushing toys... but still no walking.

My mom said she has become a bit of a picky eater this week (which is crazy news to me cause she used to eat everything in sight!). Her favorite thing to eat right now is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches :)

Anyway, I've gotten quite a lot done while Sophie has been gone. Not just my clinical hours, but also a lot done around the house. I decorated my laundry room, made a wreath, made blackout drapes for Sophie's window, made decorations and hats for Sophie's birthday party, cleaned, cleaned, and more cleaning, I've caught up on all the laundry, I've made yummy dinners, and Cory and I have had some fun dates together. We talk about Soph all the time and watch and rewatch all the video's my mom and sister send. Sometime's I wake up in the middle of the night and think I can hear her crying :( I can't wait to see her cute little bum on Wednesday!

Halloween Vacation!

It was so hard keeping this a secret for two months! But we finally made it to Indiana to surprise my dad for his 54th birthday. We had such a great trip and it went by so fast. Of course, we were definitely spoiled and my mom may or may not have done our laundry the whole time we were in town. The flight there went pretty well. Soph watched Shrek 3 on the way to Denver, played on her layover (while I was seriously ill), and then she slept for most the way to Indiana.

My mom got us from the airport and we went straight to dad's work to surprise him. He really was surprised! And he just loved playing with Soph. We surpirsed Auntie Brookie at work too. She was way surprised too! Then... we went to my mom's house and, if you know my mother at all, the house was completely decked out for Halloween (I can't believe I didn't get pictures!). Sophie just loved it. Cory and I had a wonderful room all ready for us and when my mom took us into the other bedroom... we found she had bought a new crib for Soph! I was so happy and it was so cute! I felt bad the poor girl would have to sleep in a pack n play for two weeks, but she was pleased as punch to have her own bed there!

Sophie minds me really well, which is wonderful. I never had to "baby proof" my house cause she knows what she can and can't touch. I was worried about going to my mom's, though because she has tons of Halloween decorations everywhere. However, Sophie did great! I few times I had to redirect her but she listens really well!

My mom and dad live on a 10 acre farm and had a huge Halloween party on Friday night. Complete with a haunted hay ride, pumpkin carving contest, cake walk, chili, cider, hot chocolate, my mothers famous scones... and a DJ! We cranked the music up and had a blast with people from their church, the neighbors, and coworkers. A month ago my mom got Soph a ladybug costume for Halloween. I wanted to have a theme for our little family so I told Cory I'd make him a leaf costume. He agreed... but I don't think he quite understood how amazing I'd make his costume! Haha. I made my ladybug outfit too... but I didn't even get a single picture of the wings I made! Boo! Oh well. Everyone commented on Cory's costume all night. It was a great hit. My mom's friends kept saying, "wow, he really loves her if he's wearing that." And it's true! He really does :)

Soph's Shoes...

Saturday the 30th was my dad's birthday. We made yummy pumpkin waffles with apple cider syrup. Delish! We opened his gifts... one of which was an in-ground basketball hoop :) We went out to dinner (to my favorite restaurant in Indy!) and then went and played games at Rascals. On our way home Cory, Brooke, and I picked up a Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. It was so good! (Can you tell my dad loves anything pumpkin??) I hope he had a great birthday cause we sure had a lot of fun! He is seriously the best dad ever. We are so lucky to have him.

Sunday didn't even feel like Halloween cause of the party on Friday night. We went to church and then vegged the rest of the day. Cory had a paper to write for school so my mom and I climbed in her bed and watched a scary movie on tv. Cory was Mr. Funny and snuck in Soph's room and scared us with her monitor :)

On Monday we got up early to go to The Children's Museum and found its closed on Mondays! So, we headed over to the zoo which was a great success. Soph walked all over and loved looking at all the animals. Except the sea lions. She did not like the sea lions. Monday night my mom made Cory's favorite dinner... which he even talked about how good it was on the plane ride home the next day :) Good work Dee!

Then, the worst part of the trip! Not just going home... but leaving my babe! Sophie is staying at Grandma and Grandpa's until next Wednesday so I can get my clinicals done for school. It's only Day 1 and I'm dying! Cory and I went grocery shopping tonight and I just didn't even know what to do with myself! My mom is updating me every hour with pictures and videos! This is going to be a long week! I miss my little peanut! And... I'm sure she'll be walking on her own by the time my mom flies back with her!

Here is Day 1 with Grandma: