Kate Addison Seegers Joins The Family

On Monday, May 17th at 2:18 pm, Kate Addison Seegers arrived.  She weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and was 20 inches long.  Bailey and I were able to travel up to Cedar Rapids late that afternoon to meet and hold Kate.  Other visitors included the older Seegers siblings, Lauren, Alli and Austin, Grandpa and Grandma Seegers and Hope, Geoff and Graham.  I'm excited to be an aunt again and Bailey is looking forward to having another cousin to play with.

Team Bailey

This year marked the 5th year I raised money for March of Dimes annual fundraiser, March for Babies.  Back in July 2005, I attended a leadership conference with a group of students.  I had attended this conference before and knew there was always a goal-setting exercise that involved the students and adults.  The previous 2 years I had set goals at the conference, but unfortunately did not reach them.  That year I decided to set a goal that would help others rather than helping myself.  I decided to "pay it forward" and help families who are affected by a premature baby just as I was 5 years earlier.  After researching March of Dimes, I discovered there was an annual walk, WalkAmerica.  I organized a family team, Team Bailey, and ended up surpassing the monetary goal I had set at the leadership conference back in July.  Since 2006, Team Bailey has raised $2,908.  This year Bailey set a walking goal, walking 4 of the 6 miles at the Iowa City walk.  There are no words to describe what this experience has done for me and to see my baby who needed physical therapy for her first 2 years of life now walk 4 miles. 

WalkAmerica 2006 in Waterloo: Bailey with Cedar Valley Coordinator Darcy

March for Babies 2008 in Cedar Rapids: Hope, Heidi, Bailey and Dixie

March for Babies 2009 in Iowa City: Bailey and Heidi

March for Babies 2009 in Iowa City: Heidi and Amy

March for Babies 2010 in Iowa City: Dixie and Heidi

March for Babies 2010 in Iowa City: Bailey with Perky after her 4 mile walk

A Very Special Day

April 4, 2010 marked the day Graham Hilton Wood became a child of God through the waters of baptism. His Grandma Cathy performed the baptism, which made it so special for the family. You could definitely feel the love in the church as the Seegers and Roth families witnessed this wonderful occassion. Our family spent the weekend in Des Moines and were able to celebrate the Easter holiday all together which was also a special moment.

Hope's side of the family

Geoff's side of the family

Grandpa Seegers and his girls at the pool

Alli, Bailey, Lauren and Austin in their Sunday best

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