Bailey's 9th Birthday

March 28th marked Bailey's 9th birthday. It's amazing to see how this 1 pound, 13 ounce and 14" miracle baby has grown. I'm in the process of creating my 5th scrapbook to cherish the memories. Bailey celebrated her actual birthday on March 28th with 4 of her close friends from school and daycare. The family celebration took place a couple weeks later on April 10th and included celebrating her cousin Lauren's 6th birthday at Fun City. It was a great time celebrating with both groups.

Bailey and her friends

Dance Party USA

I've recently purchased some awesome 80's CD's from Target (Stadium Jams, Movie Classics and New Wave). On a recent evening we had the tunes cranked and held Dance Party USA in our living room. Who couldn't dance to the theme song from Wierd Science?

Our Future Artist

Ask Bailey what she wants to be when she grows up and for the past 2 years she has said she wants to be an artist. Her latest art work shows she definitely has the potential. The Opening Show for Mount Pleasant's 35th Annual Art Show was this past Sunday at the Henry County Courthouse. Although there were so many creative projects created by students in Kindergarten through 12 grade, this marker drawing receives my vote for Best of Show.

The Masterpiece

Super Saturdays

I've been writing New Year's Resolutions for 6 years now. Like many NYR's, some I've achieved by December 31st, and others need some adjusting for the next year. This year I made a resolution for Super Saturdays once a month. Bailey and I love to go to family attractions together so our Super Saturday involves going to some family attraction on a scheduled weekend. We came up with quite a list (more than 12). Our Super Saturday in January was to the Putnam Museum in Davenport where we walked through the exhibits in the museum and also saw a movie in the I-Max theatre. In February, we checked out the Par-tee Zone in Sycamore Mall in Iowa City. Our March Super Saturday we will be spending this weekend visiting Hope and Graham in Des Moines (Geoff is out of town). One of the greatest things about being a parent is the opportunity to be a kid again. I know that in a few short years, it will no longer be cool for Bailey to do things with her mom. In the meantime, we are enjoying our quality time together.

The Hall of Mammals at the Putnam Museum (amazing taxidermy for the rhino and zebra)

Polar Bear Exhibit

Par-tee Zone: A huge climbing structure and all you can play mini golf

Bailey's 9th Christmas

Lots of great pictures of Bailey throughout the Christmas holiday. Here are some of my favorites.

The children's Christmas program ended with a Christian version of the 12 Days of Christmas. Bailey got to raise her card a lot since it was 2 candles burning.

Bailey helps decorate the tree.

Alex from Wizards of Waverly Place: One of 6 new Barbies received for Christmas

Before Church Christmas Program

Bailey's annual visit to Coral Ridge Mall to see Santa

Presents from Santa: Must have been on the nice list this year

Holidays With The Family

It was so wonderful to have the family together again for both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. I'm a traditionalist so one of the most special parts of the holiday season is preserving those memories that I've been doing since I was little. The whole family was able to make the trip to Wapsie Pines again this year to find a real Christmas tree. Thanksgiving and Christmas basically consisted of eating, relaxing and enjoying the kids. Here are some highlights from the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday.

Alli and Austin play Playdough before Thanksgiving dinner

Austin takes lessons from Heath on chopping down the tree

Aunt Hope with Bailey and Alli

Graham's 1st Christmas

Holiday Letter 2009

'Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it'--Ferris Bueller's Day Off

This quote from the 1986 classic movie seems to sum up the year of 2009 pretty well for Bailey and me. Here are some classic highlights from our year.



Now in 2nd grade, Bailey has shown great academic growth over the past 2 1/2 years. Last year she was placed in Van Allen Elementary's Enrichment Program in the spring and has been placed in the program again this year. Although you will often find Bailey with her nose in a book, she also continues to be very active, participating in a number of activities throughout the year. Her athletic skills were developed in Little Dunkers, Soccer Camp, Tennis Camp and Softball. But she definitely developed her artistic skills as well in Pom Pon Clinic and Dance Fever through Mount Pleasant Parks and Rec and Cooking, Going Green and Inventions and Legos Camps through the Iowa State Extension. This fall she decided she would like to get involved with Girl Scouts and has enjoyed that as well. Cookie sales are right around the corner.

Although it may seem that all I do is run Bailey to activities, I have found some time to enjoy myself as well. I've gotten involved with a women's book club at Faith Lutheran Church and developed a new passion and hobby to go along with my scrapbooking...stamping and card making. I got to experience some fun and relaxation at a scrapbook retreat in October with my sister-in-law, Amy. The following weekend I retreated to UNI to get together with friends for UNI's Homecoming. This past August marked the beginning of my 4th year at Iowa Wesleyan College where I continue to serve as the Director of Career Services and also teach a freshman seminar class in the fall. 2009 marked the 4th year I raised money for the March of Dimes fundraiser, March for Babies. You can check out our personal page at http://www.marchforbabies.org/seegers if you would like to donate or walk with us in April 2010.

My family also experienced some changes this year. On June 24th we welcomed Graham Hilton Wood to the family. 2 months later, we said good-bye to my Grandma Matthias whose health had been declining for the past year. And in 2010 we will welcome another addition to the family as Heath and Amy are expecting #4.

You can see what else we have been up to this year by checking out our other posts on Bails 'n Me.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love, Heidi and Bailey