Dollywood excursion

I realized when I was going through pictures that I never posted any of our Mother's Day Dollywood trip. Actually, the picture in the last post was taken at Dollywood, but I didn't mention it. We had bought discounted tickets through James's work and had to use them by the end of May, so we decided we would go the day before Mother's Day to celebrate. I really didn't know what to expect, never having been there. The day was overcast and not too warm or too cool, which made it easier to deal with the crowds - which were really only bad in the area with all the rides for small children. We had a lovely time, even with waiting in line to go to the bathroom, eat, ride rides, bathroom (pregnant woman here...). Kate had a great time riding rides. I think her favorite was riding the carousel. She was wide-eyed at all the horses. I told one of my friends we went to Dollywood and he said, sarcastically, "Happy Mother's Day to you!" but I actually had a nice time spending the day just hanging around with my family and watching Kate find excitement in all the new sights. It's hard to explain, but I often find enjoyment in unexpected places with Kate.

Hemricks = 3 + 1

Ok, so most of you who read this are family and already know about our exciting news, but in case this is the only way in which you receive news about the Hemricks (in which case I apologize), I'm pregnant! I'm in my 12th week, so I'm almost through the first trimester and it seems the tiredness is getting better. It's been pretty smooth so far, just one rough month of trying to keep up with a not-quite-two-year-old on top of being tired. I still usually take a nap when Kate does, but if it doesn't happen, I don't feel like I'm going to fall in the floor (though James might wish I would as I'm a little grouchy when I'm tired). I can't believe I'm almost one third of the way through the pregnancy already! It goes by much quicker when you have another one to take care of and it doesn't consume your every thought. Now I'm just trying to figure out how to keep the weight off when I'm ravenously hungry every 3-4 hours. I'll keep you posted on how things are moving along now and then. In about 2 months, we should be able to find out the sex, so stay tuned!

Like mother like daughter

So I realize that my daughter looks absolutely nothing like me. However, I see a lot of me in the way she acts (a lot of James too - like, how do neither of them ever run out of energy???). She gets really frustrated when something doesn't work that she knows should work and she starts throwing things. Ok, I don't throw things (often), but I believe her quick temper comes from me. I admit it. I'm sure there are other unattractive traits I've passed down to my little girl, but those will all just be part of her personality.

Her interests also seem in line with mine (at least for now). When we play outside, Kate goes around finding rocks, announces them ("Ooo, rock!"), brings them to me, puts them in containers, pours them on the ground, and displays them on the patio table.




The other day we were out running errands and stopped by a local nursery on our way home. It was a beautiful day and I thought Kate would enjoy walking around and looking at all of the different flowers. Well, we walked through the gate into a sea of roses and geraniums and Kate exclaimed "Ooo, rock!" She was more interested in the gravel walkways, fountains, and birdbaths than any of the flowers. But, she did enjoy herself. We walked around for about 30 minutes and I had to finally carry her out to go eat lunch.

All of these pictures were taken the other day while we were playing in the yard. Kate was really posing for the camera and looked so cute in her little skirt and hat that Nana bought for her, so I'm posting a bunch of them.