First flight...to AMERICA

Dear Olivia,

Before you even turned 3 months old, you and I (mommy) flew from Germany to America to introduce you to all of the family that we possibly could. I was pretty nervous doing this big trip without your Dad, but you ended up being the best flying baby ever. You barely made a peep on the first leg from Germany to Baltimore, and then you slept from Baltimore to Chicago in your carrier against my chest. Although I was exhausted by the time we arrived at Kristy & Khary's house, I was so excited and proud of you (and me)! 

On the plane to USA!

The day after we flew into the USA, you and I drove to northern Wisconsin to introduce you to your Grandma Sheila, Grandpa Chuck, Aunt Jaime, Aunt Jenny, and cousins Jalynn and Rylee...and everyone else who came to the 10th Hole that weekend! You got passed around like crazy, but you didn't care one bit. That is one thing I have always loved about you- you are so easy going and relaxed around others (well, at least so far). It was a funny 3-4 days in WI visiting family, and I was so thankful I got to see your Dad's family myself, we just wish he could've been with us too!

Hanging out with Grandpa

Smiling at Grandma- at first meet.

When we left WI, we drove a few hours south to the Twin Cities (MN) and visited one of your Dad's best friends, Eric Olson. He and his family just welcomed a baby girl (Roz) too, about 1 month after you were born, so it was great getting to introduce you two. Unfortunately that was a quick trip and the next morning we went back to Chicago to show you around my favorite city and spend time with the Gibbs Family. Kyan loved showing you music videos, Kamran thought you were so small, and Kallen laughed when he held you and then ran away when you cried. :) I got to take you to one of my favorite places in the world, Wrigley Field (GO CUBS), and you also had your first shopping experience in Target! Sometimes I wish that Germany had a Super Target :) While in Chicago, you turned 3 MONTHS OLD! Wow, time goes by way too quickly once you have a baby. 

There is more in our trip itinerary though, and we eventually drove to Charleston, IL to meet your Great Grandparents and your Great Aunts & Uncles on the "Sims" side of the family. Spending time on Great Grandma and Grandpa's "farm" was so relaxing for us after all of this traveling, and they loved holding you and rocking you, just like they did with my when I was a baby. Watching them with you will always be some of my most fondest memories of your infancy. Your Great Uncle Ken and Great Aunt Chris threw you a "Welcome Olivia" party at their house for all of the Sims-Clan to come greet you. Many people stopped by, and your cousins Jimmy & Stephanie and their kids (Matt and Elizabeth) also came into to town to hang out. We were so thankful that we got to introduce you to everyone and see everyone. You have amazing extended family members! After 4 days in Charleston, we headed south to Memphis to stay with your Uncle Drew and Aunt Caitlin. They were SO excited to meet you and I was so excited to see them! Your Oma drove up too to meet us all  (and so she could drive us back to Mobile later), and we all visited a Pumpkin Patch together, carved pumpkins (for you to sit in, haha), and hung out watching football. It was a great weekend there!

Great Grandma

Great Grandpa singing you lullabies

Pumpkin Patch 

Inside a pumpkin :)

Eventually we made it all of the way to Mobile- woohoo! We spent a week at your Oma and Papa's house and you got to meet your mom's best friends & kids finally too. Your Uncle Brian was like a kid on Christmas Morning waiting on our arrival- he could not wait to hold you and spoil you! Your Aunt Kelsey was also very excited, but she had already met you after you were born! LeLe (Lindsey) and Harper, and then Kellie & Nora Kate (3 weeks older than you), and Megan & Sawyer (10 days older than you) were soooo happy we were back in Mobile to hang out. Maybe one day we will all live near them again so you can grow up with those kids too. Your Aunt Laura and Uncle Pat came down from Georgie to meet you and we all went to Dauphin Island to put your toes in the sand for the first time- it was so fun for me! Your Aunt Laura was pregnant with Alex at the time, and it was exciting to see her with you as she prepares for her first baby! Many memories were made in Mobile. You visited Spring Hill College (and Papa's baseball field), the school Oma teaches at (Mary Vale), Spot of Tea, Dog River, Dauphin Island, and much more! You also experienced your first Halloween while in Mobile and got to celebrate your Uncle Brian's 24th birthday, yay!!!

At SHC Baseball Field/ Intramural Game

Lele & Harper, Megan & Sawyer, Me & You, Kellie & Nora Kate

Happy Uncle B with his Livvy

Happy 1st Halloween, Kitty Kat!

Sadly though, a week flew by and we had to get back onto a plane to Germany- which turned into a 3 day adventure! Once we flew from Pensacola to Baltimore, there were not seats on a plane back to Germany for 3 days. So we booked hotels, slept in airports, and eventually rented a car with some other military mom and children and drove to McGuire AFB in NJ. There, we all got onto a C-17 cargo military plane and flew back to Germany :) It was such a wild but fun adventure! Once again, you did great on the flight(s). We were SO happy to be home with Daddy though. 

On our way back to Germany!

On the C-17 

If it isn't clear yet, you are loved by so many people. We can't wait to go back to the USA to see more friends and family eventually too. Thanks for being such a chill baby :) You make life easy and fun!

Lots of love from me to you,

Mom