First Steps!

Mariella took 2 wobbly, but determined, steps today. She was standing by the couch and looked at me with a glint in her eye, and let go. She took 2 very cute steps with arms in the air, and fell down. She didn't do it again, but she's been walking around with me a lot today, only holding on with one hand. I think she's waiting for Daddy to be home from work before she shows off again. Here we go!

Christmas Day - Home!

We were at home today, ready to celebrate Mariella's first Christmas. Jacob was excited to have Santa visit this year, and he had a nice collection of presents waiting for him this morning. Poor Mariella had trouble sleeping again (another cold) so she got off to a slow start, but she was in good spirits once she was rested.

It was a perfect day to just be home. It snowed heavy, wet flakes for much of the day. Jacob had a lot of fun playing with all his new toys and games, and Mariella went about her usual business. I'm sure she had no idea this was any different from other days. We had stuffed shells for dinner, which has been Tom's and my tradition for several years. Mariella even got a taste. I made her a dinner of the stuffing mixed with sauce, so she had everything but the shell (which I knew she would spit out). She loved it, and made a very cute mess that I didn't get a picture of, ending up in the bathtub.

Now for pictures:

Jacob went downstairs first thing and found his new train table (made by Grandpa B.). You can see on his face how pleased he was.

We had his track set up, and he jumped right in to play

Jacob's new 6-foot-long race track from Grandpa and Grandma S. Daddy thinks he will have a lot of fun with this too.

Jacob helping to make muffins. This is our 2-year tradition.

Sneaking a taste

While the muffins were baking, it was time to check out his stocking

Mariella checked hers out too

Mariella eating her very first Christmas muffins

Jacob playing with one of his new toys while Mariella climbs on Daddy

Jacob with his new mosaic puzzle set

Mariella helping Daddy get some toys loose from the package

Mariella opening one of her presents. It's a milk jug with cookies that she's supposed to put into it, but she prefers that someone else put them in so she can reach in and take them out.

Jacob with his new remote-controlled car (it goes fast!)

New pantry items for when Jacob goes grocery shopping

Mariella really liked her new train. It lights up and plays music, which makes her smile and dance (we have video that I'll post later).

Not surprisingly, Jacob also likes the train

He did let Mariella play with it too, though

It's hard to see out of a hat and hood! But sand toys also make really good snow toys.

Daddy and Jacob made some snow castles

This was our Christmas gift from the snow plow

Jacob and Daddy playing in the back yard


After playing outside in the snow, you have to come in and have hot chocolate

Christmas Eve - Schoenbauers

Despite the weather's best efforts to keep everyone from getting together on Christmas Eve, everyone made it safe and sound. Tom cleared our driveway of about 6 inches of snow before we left. It was a fun-filled, busy day with a very full house. There are a lot of kids in the family now! Jacob was really excited to see his cousins, and every time the door opened he was hoping they would arrive. We spent the afternoon playing and visiting, and after dinner it was time for opening gifts. Jacob is finally at an age where he wants to see everyone's presents and help open them. He sure is lucky to have a baby sister who doesn't care very much if he opens hers.

These are the sleds that Grandpa S. makes for all the grandkids on their first Christmas. He was busy this year, with three new babies!

We got there first, and Jacob took advantage of having Grandma all to himself. After I took this picture, he told me "I am not playing the camera game."

Grandpa and Grandma with all six grandchildren

Mariella posing with her sled (we should have done this earlier, as she was very antsy by the time we started opening gifts)

Jacob waiting patiently for his turn to open a present. This is the face I got from him when I told him to smile instead of saying "cheese."

He got a Cars chair and a Star Wars costume...

...and a garbage truck! He was very excited about this, no surprise to anyone who remembers that he's been obsessed with trash since he was about 18 months old.

Mariella was excited about her new toy, and wanted to rip right into the box

Jacob with his new race car mat, and he is happy about it. His "cheese" face sometimes makes him look less-than-thrilled

He was a good helper with picking up all the wrapping paper

Mariella got a set of 2 Cabbage Patch dolls, which she was cooing at, but was also very interested in the paper

I like this picture because Jacob got a Cars shirt and I told him to hold it up, and this is what he did.

Jacob couldn't wait to play with his new garbage truck

Mariella and cousin Hannah snuck off to get into some of Jacob's cars

Mariella was playing quietly by herself, and I caught her doing her "peek" move

She really liked playing with all the toy instruments. Our little drummer girl!

A Delicious Lunch

Mariella has been so adamant about feeding herself that I thought I'd try a new strategy today. I found the training "spoon" that I bought for Jacob (which he never used to eat, but it became a very fun play-doh toy), washed it up, and stuck it in a bowl of chicken & vegetable dinner. She loved the idea. It made for a nice, messy, completely eaten lunch.

The bowl is on her lap in this one

Scraping the bowl clean

Making sure every last bit is out of that bowl

When the food is gone, you might as well eat the bowl.

Christmas Begins!

Christmas 2009 began at Great-Grandpa & Grandma Kuehn's house in IA. It was a busy, fun day. Jacob got to play with the kids and would disappear for long stretches of time. What a difference a year makes. We felt like we had to keep more of an eye on him last year. Mariella was ready and willing to assume the role of Troublemaker, but she was really good. There was just one incident of her running away from Grandma B. in the living room and crawling under the Christmas tree, but no damage was done. She actually had several opportunities to get into the presents or the tree, and didn't take them. Maybe she was too busy checking out everything else. She enjoyed a lunch of ham and noodles. Who wouldn't?

This is how Mariella spends most of her time these days.

Mariella waiting patiently for gift opening to begin

Jacob waiting patiently for gift opening to begin

Mariella visiting with her great-grandparents

Here she is making sure great-grandpa isn't hiding any crackers in his hand

She likes to watch people's faces closely when they speak to her.

Playing with her new driving toy. Watch out, everyone!

Upside down baby

Little Miss Nosypants had to check out what Benjamin got

Chewing on the plastic bag to Ben's blocks, since we wouldn't let her have the blocks

Jacob opened his gift so quickly that I didn't get a picture of it. I think Grandma B. might have one, so I'll have to post it later. He was thrilled to get a kid-sized folding chair and a Cars sleeping bag. He sleeps with it on his bed every night!