It's been awhile... Let me talk to you about BABIES!

Howdy ho, fellow Omahans.

It's been awhile.  I started this blog back in 2011, about a month before I found out I was expecting my first child.  It was a fantastic distraction from trying to conceive (sorry if that's TMI), then fell off my radar once I started planning for baby's arrival.

Here we are two years later.  I was just looking through some pictures of my little guy from the months after he was born.  I tried to savor that time, but I find I am already forgetting little things... faces, milestones, favorite outfits.

Perhaps I need to start another blog (and actually maintain it--that's the trick) to journal my motherly musings.

16 months, running around like a true toddler

At any rate,  THIS blog is about my experiences in our great city (one of the best in which to raise children--totes why I live here, right?), so allow me to get back at it.

One of my favorite Omaha finds through my journey to parenthood is a little store called Baby Junk in Rockbrook Village.  Specializing in cloth diapering and all things "natural parenting" related, I was drawn to this locally owned oasis of cottony cuteness after attending a "cloth diapering 101" class at my birth center (The Midwife's Place in Bellevue--I will totally post about that sometime) that was facilitated by Baby Junk's owner, Andrea Foley.  She was so friendly and knowledgeable, I had to visit her store.  I created a registry there, joined the "Junkie" discount club, and this first-time mom was hooked!

My little guy is about a year and a half old now, and I'm still using all the diapers and covers I purchased from Baby Junk (if you are expecting and haven't considered cloth, DO.  It's so much cheaper, cuter, and greener than disposables).

Three weeks old in a prefold diaper and Thirsties Duo Wrap

They started me off on the right foot, and now I'm a cloth diapering pro.  If you don't want to be a pro at washing your own kid's gnarly diapers, but you still want to avoid the chemicals and pollutants of disposables, you can also inquire about Baby Junk's sister service, Diaper DuDee, a pickup-laundering-delivery outfit that can wash your "fluff" for a monthly fee.

I love to support local businesses when I can, and this is one of the best.  Stop in and see Andrea or any of the other friendly people at Baby Junk (108th & Center)--many of whom wear their babies while they work--or stop by their Facebook page.  Bring your questions about all things diapering, amber teething necklaces, breastfeeding supplies, baby wearing, and nursery furniture.  They have answers!

What it's like: Rick's Cafe Boatyard

Hello cyber-friends!  I've really got to work out a posting schedule I can stick to.  Obviously "I'll do it when I have time" is not the way to go.

 Poor Lewis & Clark Landing...

Last weekend I zipped down to Rick's Cafe on (nearly in) the Missouri river for dinner with my family.  None of us thought to call ahead and make a reservation, so I was impressed they were able to seat our party of eight pretty quickly.  That could be due to the fact that the Qwest guard-dudes near the Gallup campus were telling people Rick's was under water...  We informed the manager so he could politely ask the Qwest people to stop turning customers away.

The restaurant:

• I thought it smelled like fish, and not in a good way.  Other people I've talked to about my experience said they prefer to sit in Rick's large outdoor seating areas to avoid the aroma.
• It was stuffy.  Somehow I doubt they have air conditioning.  Probably a good explanation for why people would just rather sit outside--no fishy smell, and although it's still muggy at least you get some fresh air circulating around.
• The bathrooms were clean-ish for a Saturday night.  The stalls are so small you can't walk in and close the door behind you without wedging your legs around the toilet.  The stall door literally almost touches the porcelain.  Come on.
• They have live music and a bar out on the deck.  Yet another reason people reserve those tables.

The food:

• I had a delicious shrimp scampi pasta.  Almost everyone at the table enjoyed their meals.  FYI, the island chicken with pineapple that you expect to taste like teriyaki actually tastes like curry.  I am not a fan of curry. We ordered shrimp cocktail for an appetizer--it came with a deliciously intense cocktail sauce.  Horseradish = YUM.
• While the food was good overall, it was also overpriced.  The shrimp cocktail was $11 for five not-so-jumbo shrimp.  I had the same medium-sized shrimp in my pasta (again only five of them) for $19.

The service:

• Our waitress did a great job for being as busy as she was.  She was kind enough to put up with our late-arrivals and meal-sharing shenanigans.  I sympathize with waitstaff because I work in a customer service position and I know how stressful it can be.  And I have wonderful friends who work in some fine Omaha dining rooms.  I see their facebook posts after a hard night--getting stiffed on their tip, dealing with the people who linger two hours after their dinner taking up precious tables, etc.  Tip your waiters!  I usually do 20% or so.
• The other waiters walking around were not so professional or polite.  I have talked to other people who've encountered the same thing.
• The manager was very nice and apologetic when he heard my parents had trouble finding the place, thanks to the Qwest Center guards.  It was later in our dinner that he checked back with us to tell us the story of how he drove over there (in Rick's Cadillac, I think he said) and asked one of the guards how to get to Rick's Boatyard.  The man said, "If I'm not mistaken, Sir, they are closed."  The manager replied, "I assure you we're not.  Now may I have your dispatch number so I can inform the rest of your staff that they can stop killing our business?"  Awesome.

All this said, I won't be in a big hurry to return to Rick's Cafe, unless it's to sample some music, drinks and a breeze on the deck.  Maybe after this 100 degree heat subsides.

Have you had similar experiences?  Or the opposite?

Rick's Website

What it's like: Sarpy County's Werner Park

Take me out to the ball game!  Or just out for fireworks on 4th of July weekend.

Last Friday was my first visit to Werner Park, new home to the Omaha Storm Chasers AAA baseball team.  Like many Omahans, I have a soft spot for historic Rosenblatt Stadium, but I don't resent the Royals Storm Chasers for choosing a smaller, more modern venue.  The new park is well-planned and nicely suited for the team--in fact for some patrons, the park's amenities might be more enticing than the actual baseball.

What you should know:

• This park map isn't scaled very well.  The berm seating looks like it's in a different zip code, but that's not the case in person.  As one ticket booth dude said, "There isn't a bad seat in the house."
• If you want actual seats, you'll buy any of the different types of "box" tickets.  The AT&T Home Run Porch is a small bleacher section out in left field.  The McDonald's berm seating is the most affordable, and in my opinion is actually the most comfortable.  If you want to take your whole family, bring some blankets (no lawn chairs allowed) or just park yourselves on the grass and lounge.  This area beyond the outfield is also where you or your kids can get up close and personal with the players--that's where the bull pen is (pitchers practice there).  I saw one little boy catch a frog, take it over and show a player, then the player gave him a paper cup to house his new little frog friend.  Adorable.
• There are so many kinds of concessions!  La Mesa Mexican, Extreme Pizza, chicken, lemon ice, funnel cakes, a reuben stand--the list goes on, including my personal favorite ballpark indulgences: super pretzels and nachos.  There's also a full bar on the left field side.  NONE of this is cheap, however.  If you want a pop, just buy the $5.50 souvenir 44 oz.  Refills are $2, so I plan on bringing that cup back next time.  A 24 oz. domestic beer will run you $6, an import is about $7.
• Don't bring in outside food or drink.  They will check your bags.  Empty containers are allowed.
• FREE parking on the North side in a gravel lot.  It's actually the quickest escape, exiting around the park East then South to Hwy 370.
• For the kiddos there is an awesome "Fun Zone" with a carousel, crafts, bouncy houses and more.  Admission is $5.  They can also shoot hoops on the basketball court or play a game of wiffle ball in the Borscheim's Diamond.  For FREE.
• For grown-ups, if you want to be waited on while you watch for the next big play, there's the Jim Beam club--access included with the priciest ticket.

Verdict:  YAY.  I enjoyed walking around the park, exploring all the fun features.  Even though I'm a little nostalgic for Rosenblatt, the unique amenities offered at Werner Park make for a quaint, interactive experience far removed from passively watching the game.  Game?  Oh yeah that was good too.  Storm Chasers won.  And I got to see my fireworks!

Storm Chasers Website

Welcome to the great city of Omaha, Nebraska.

I was born in Omaha.  My parents still live in the house where I was raised.  The city remains my "homaha."  I don't mind living here.  In fact, I like it.

This is my account of all things local.  If you live in Omaha, I will tell you all about the places I go, what you can do there, what to expect, and deals available.  I will also give you my humble opinion of the entertainment, restaurants, shops and night life the Big O has to offer, reviewing the food I eat, bands I hear and productions I see.  I will tell you if had a good experience or a bad one.  This is going to be fun!