Bath time is fun!

Hooray! The day has finally arrived when Joelle thinks that bath time is truly a wonderful thing. Not only were we getting full-fledged giggles at the beginning of the bath (daddy is SO funny!), but we were also seeing the mirth that was kicking the water all over the place. Thankfully, we had the camera on hand to capture the excitement, and boy did it ever capture it. It was a night we would never forget either way, but it's nice to have the pictures to aid our memories.

Also, Jolie had an exciting birthday weekend with daddy. She bought her daddy a plush baseball (Phillies, of course) and football (Eagles, OF COURSE). She actually did help me pick them out, as she did with her bathing suit. Within the next few months, she and Matt will be able to actually play with them.

Photogenic baby!

Cousins!

Well, it's official. Jolie is no longer the only grandchild. Her cousins have arrived, exactly 3 months after Jolie! Finally, girls rule the Dampf family! The new-comers are Ilsa and Ingrid. Jolie was so excited when she heard the news! Look at her reaction: She's full of giggles. She can't wait to meet the little peanuts (nor can I!)

In other, not nearly as exciting, news (but still exciting), I have off from work this week, so Joelle and I have been having a blast. We took a 2 1 /2 hour walk on Monday. We went all the way to the Keswick theater and back, taking a pit stop at a produce market and the bank. Tuesday we spent the morning at the mall shopping for daddy's birthday present. Again, we took a pit stop at baby gap where Jolie spent her holiday money (thanks, grandmas) on a bathing suit and a new toy (Danny the Duck, friend to Ricky the Monkey). Jolie picked out both. I held up a suit at a time, and Jolie's reaction to this one was priceless. Same with the duck. Oooh, I'm so excited to have a little one to shop for. I must say, I have been VERY good about shopping. So far this has been the only frivolous purchase, and even still, it will be used all summer when we will spend our days at the pool!

Tomorrow we resume our exciting spring break with a visit to Great-grandma Horwedel. It should be fun for all parties involved. Before we go there, I'm hoping to get the grocery shopping done with Jolie in the baby bjorn. We'll see how that works out...

Finally, our new camera arrived. Matt and I lost our little digital camera about a month ago, which has been awful. In that month, Jolie has really been doling out the charm, and we've captured none of it on film. Alas, we have a new camera and about 150 pictures from today to make up for it. The camera is a much better one than what we had before: professional grade. I have to do a lot of reading to really figure this one out, but so far, I've turned out some decent pictures.

Well, I'm off to grade a few papers. The job never ends. (Well, except in July. I do nothing that month!)

All grown up!

It's official: Jolie has mastered the art of laughing. She has also started to grab at toys and swat at her toys that hang. She is so aware now! It's a joy being her mommy, although I wish that I could be with her more frequently. I'm counting down the days to spring break at school!!

Our Big Day Out

Finally!!!! Jolie is over 10 weeks old and officially done her "prison sentence." Her pediatrician didn't want her out and about (minus walks outdoors...) until she was 10 weeks, due to her baby immune system and the prevalence of all those germs in malls and other stores.

So, we started our socialization with a bang! Jolie attended a high school boy's wrestling match at Council Rock South High School. It was district finals, and two of my students were in them. (they both lost early). CRSHS is like a college campus!!! How I would love to work there and be the best paid teacher in the state!!! Back to Jolie though...she didn't like all the noise. There were probably 2000 people there, whistles, announcements, and buzzers. Far too exciting for my sheltered little girl.

After that, we went to Beth's baby shower. It, too, was an event. There were easily 60 people at her shower, and there was actually another shower across the aisle. There, mom and baby attempted breastfeeding in public. What better time to try than in a restaurant full of 200 women and maybe one man? It went well, but again, Jolie was over stimulated. She was a bit fussy all day, but after today, being in public will be easy street, as I assume we won't be at such busy places so often.

Beth is 7 months pregnant with twin boys: Ryan and Jimmy. We can't wait to meet them!!! They are going to be fast friends. In fact, Jolie was already passing notes to them. She told them all about her favorite author, Dr. Seuss, and about how her favorite hobby is kicking her feet on her changing table. She's such a flirt!! It's cute now, but in 15 years, I'll be turning gray over this!