#thedudleysdaily2014 January part 1

I never make new year's resolutions. 

The main reason? Because I know I won't keep them. And more than anything I hate to fail/lose. So I just never make them. 

But with the big changes coming our way this year, I decided in January that I needed to take more pictures. So...what did I do? Jump on the Instagram photo a day bandwagon. 

#thedudleysdaily2014

We are 31 days into this and I'm already kicking myself. 

Sometimes at 9:00 at night I'm literally walking around the house trying to find some random object I can take a picture of for this damn challenge. The good news is in 3 months Graham will be here and I can just fill everyone's newsfeed with pictures of him. #instaGraham

I know, I know. I'm so clever. 

Here's what we've been up to this month...

I began my photo challenge with a little grocery shopping. I love get up early Saturday morning when Ryan goes to school and do my grocery shopping for the month. 

Graham's nursery coming along!

I have this theory that you can tell a lot about a family by their front porch.

My sweet MIL is the best hostess and always has the most amazing spreads for our weekly Sunday meals. 

I went back to work on the coldest day in the history of like ever. This Texas girl hates cold weather. 

In bed by 8:30. Watch out!

The baby wanted it. #andmommadidtoo

Week 24 with G man

It's much more fun to spend my conference watching Graham kick than to actually be productive. 

Date night with my sweet hubby!

Buy this album. Thank me later. 

Snail mail is so fun! 

I love politics. And Ryan hates it. 

It was a LONG, busy week!

I made the mistake of letting my kids listen to this on Pandora. And heard ring a ding ding ALL. DAY. LONG. 

25 weeks! 

Week 26

How Far Along: 26 weeks

Feeling: Still feeling good. I have had some pretty bad leg cramps in the middle of the night this past week and that's not fun. It only seems to happen on my right calf though. 

Maternity Clothes: I wish I had an endless budget to purchase more, but since I only have 3 months left I'm trying to hold out! 

Gender: Boy!

Name: Graham Ryan Dudley

Movement: This past weekend Ryan and I went to Buy Buy Baby (yet again...and we still can't make a decision on a stroller) and while we were there I felt Graham run his hand/elbow/knee/some body part all the way across the left side of my stomach. It was the craziest feeling and much different than just the kicks he usually gives. I'm interested to see what it feels like when he gets the hiccups

Sleep: still been pretty good

What I miss: nothing much

Cravings: no big cravings 

Best Moment This Week: This has been a pretty anti climatic week. Thankful for a growing baby and that I've continued to feel well! 

Week 25

How Far Along: 25 weeks

Feeling: Starting to feel a bit overwhelmed with all I want to do/accomplish before Graham comes. I know I still have 15 weeks, but we have so many things to buy. Certainly not every thing is a necessity, but that doesn't make my Etsy list any smaller. 

Maternity Clothes:  Still wearing a lot of my regular shirts, but for pants it's either maternity or leggings. 

Gender: Boy!

Name: Graham Ryan Dudley

Movement:  Lots! I had the craziest dream the other night that I was able to make my stomach transparent and we could see Graham moving around in there. And you know what?? He looked just like me! ;) I am enjoying every little kick and already dreading the day when I don't have my little buddy in there with me all the time. Y'all remind me that I said this at week 38 when I'm miserable, ok? 

Sleep: not bad

What I miss: nothing big

Cravings: Still wanting cereal and if I didn't have a husband who expected dinner we would have that every night.

Best Moment This Week: We booked a photographer for our maternity and newborn pictures and that is a huge relief.

Ice, Ice, Baby

So somewhere around 5 weeks ago (and I'm embarrassed to admit this post has been in drafts for about 4 weeks. whatevs.) Ryan and I had a gender reveal party planned with our families. 

I ordered cute invitations online, pinned numerous party inspiration pics on Pinterest like every good party planner, and even ordered a Chick-fil-a tray! 

Pinterest ideas + Chick-fil-a = total party success

Right?

Enter Icemaggedon 2014. 

I didn't just make that word up. That's seriously what people in DFW were referring to the ice storm as. Meanwhile, folks north of the Mason Dixon Line are laughing hysterically at us all while they scrape layers of ice from their cars daily with their bare hands. 

Needless to say, this really put a damper on our plans. Thankfully my parents were still able to drive  up. I think after waiting a week to hear the gender they would have risked hell or high water to come. Ryan's parents and sister also made it and although we missed a few more of our family members, we were so excited to share our big news! 

Our lives are about to become full of dirt, bruises and trucks and we could not be more thrilled!

*I did mention to Ryan the other day that Graham may be more into music and stuff like that rather than baseball and sports. He begged to differ. :)

Week 24

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Feeling: Overall I'm feeling great. It is amazing to me how much your body can change and adapt during pregnancy. I can't get over how my belly button has changed and although there is no outtie yet, it kinda freaks me out how shallow it has become! I'm still having heartburn and Graham has decided that hanging out on my bladder is fun. You know what's not fun, when you sneeze and have to change underwear. That's what. Just keeping' it real, folks. 

Maternity Clothes: Since adding a few more maternity items to my closet, getting dressed has been much less stressful. It seems like in the past week I have officially popped and I think I've come to the realization that it's time to stop trying to wear my old clothes.  

Gender: Boy!

Name: Graham Ryan Dudley

Movement: Lots and lots of kicking going on! We were actually able to record a video of my stomach moving from G kicking and send it to my mom.

Sleep: I've been pretty tired lately and other than getting up to use the restroom 10234 5 times a night, it's been good.

What I miss: nothing much

Cravings: I've been really into cereal and oranges...and really just food in general. #iwannaeateverythinginsight 

Best Moment This Week: We have been working a lot on getting the nursery in order and Ryan built some shelves in Graham's closet this past weekend. I'm loving how it's all coming together! 

Week 23

How Far Along: 23 weeks

Feeling: pregnant! 

Maternity Clothes: Wearing lots of leggings! I got a few staple maternity items for Christmas and getting dressed has been much less stressful 

Gender: Boy!

Name: Graham Ryan Dudley

Movement: We have one active little boy! I feel him kicking all the time and love it. At my monthly doctor appointment the doctor was listening to his heartbeat and commented on how active he was in there. 

Sleep: has been pretty good

What I miss: being able to hop out of bed like it ain't no thing! I can only image what week 38 is going to look like haha

Cravings: no big cravings and I think I'm officially over my pickle hangup. 

Best Moment This Week: Ryan and I finally agreed on Graham's bedding (who knew he would have such a strong opinion on this?!) and it's officially ordered! We also painted the walls and have started getting the nursery in order.