Omaha = Home-aha

I think the best way to sum up our early December trip to Omaha is in the words of the well-meaning TSA agent as we wrestled our way through security with a three-week old and a pug pup, “I don’t know if you’re the bravest family I’ve seen today, or the stupidest!”  I choose bravery - but our successful jaunt Midwest-ward was certainly designed to be as easygoing as possible.

It all started with an investment in Alaska Airlines direct flights from SeaTac to Omaha.  Worth. Every. Penny.  Next step: Dress your newborn adorably so that everyone will ooh and ahh and forget about the fact that you’re traveling with an unpredictable screech machine.  

While we tried hard to follow the “cute dress” rule for traveling, Eila had different ideas about what she’d arrive in Omaha wearing.  During our flight, she decided both to spit up on her cute new Santa clothes and blow out the back, as well.  This sent Mom and Dad for a real loop - particularly as she chose to do so just as the flight attendants were bringing around the refreshment cart.  Poor Adam missed out on his Diet Coke as we maneuvered our way through an in-flight diaper and wardrobe change.  Thank goodness for being in the back row of the airplane!

Zoe was, as usual, a terrific flying companion, preferring to snooze her way through our chaos.

Nomi Ann and Papa Kay picked us up from the airport and took us straight home to wait for the cousins while they finished up at church.  

Talia was most excited to see her puggy cousin.

Our little Momma’ Brooklyn meets her new cousin who settles in for a snuggle.

Reunited!  Kara resumes her rightful place as Aunt-Extraordinaire.

Talia decides to put Zoe down long enough to say hello to Eila on her own.

“Don’t worry, Zoe.  I’ll still make sure you get plenty of snuggles!.”  -  Eli

Nomi Ann cooked us a delicious meal of clam chowder and salad to celebrate a very special baby blessing.  Eila’s Papa Kay, one of her namesakes, gave her the most beautiful baby blessing alongside her Uncle Jason and dad.  I have to wonder whether Nomi Ann had any idea how many of her grandchildren would wear the baby blessing dress she made for little Brooklyn ten years earlier.  What a special evening it was for our whole family.  

Kara’s looking awfully comfortable with another Bump in her arms...Careful,  Jason!

The cousins all together.  

Our visit in Omaha was painfully short, but full of lots of love, laughter, and cuddles.  Kara and Jason opened their beautiful home to our new family and showed us a great time in the Heartland.  We started with a tour of the Lauritzen Botanical Gardens, an attraction I’d never visited in my many years in Omaha.

Annie led the way as Little Red Riding Hood.

Talk about a tree of Poinsettias!

I’m trying to learn never to pass by an opportunity for a full family photo op - no matter how camera shy  we might be.

Back in Wheeler-ville, it was time to snuggle.

Annika didn’t quite know what to do about this twinsy little bundle of babe - but they sure looked cute together.

Brooklyn knew exactly how to keep Eila happy.

And Zoe knows just how to keep littler hands warm and cuddled.  

No trip to Omaha is complete, it seems, without a trip to the Zoo.  While the weather was a bit chilly for walking outside for long, we were just in time to enjoy the theme for the weekend - babies!  We met a baby giraffe and a baby orangutan all with birthdays similar to Miss Eila.

The baby giraffe still looked plenty tall - until Mama stood up!

Momma and her babe.

Does anyone else see the similarities, here?

While it’s never easy to say goodbye - it’s always comforting to know that as long as there’s family around, we’ll always have a home in HOMEaha, Nebraska.