23 weeks

So far everything has been going smooth. I FINALLY felt some kicks about a week and a half ago.

Baby kicks feel like gas.

  (Sorry, you'll have to suffer through a couple awkward mirror selfies. Matt and I have been on opposite schedules so he hasn't been able to be my cell phone pregnant lady photographer lol)

I had been waiting to post next until Matt and I had decided on a name... but I thought that would've been like at most two weeks after we found out the gender. But here we are, still with an unnamed child. His middle name will be Chuancey, just like Matt and his dad, and his dad, and his dad's dad... you get it. So "Something" Chauncey Loper. 
For a while, before even getting pregnant we thought Beckham was a cool name, and call him Beck. It's still cool, but it just doesn't "feel" right. I'm not sure if any name will just be "the one." Is that how it happens? Did you just feel like the name fit?? 
So for now he has no name, but hopefully we come up with something soon so we stop calling him Jershaun. hahaha (Backstory: Matt for over a year now has referred to our future child as Jershaun because that would obviously mean he's good at basketball. But since being pregnant and not having a name haha we've just been using the name Jershaun. Now there is NO way that will be his name but man has it caught on lol).

 

As far as showing, I still mostly just felt fat and wasn't enjoying these last few months. There wasn't this magical connection between baby and I like everyone else seems to have, and I hadn't felt kicks and was already past 20 weeks, and I felt like no one could tell I was pregnant. But I think having popped out a little more and switching to maternity clothes has helped. Definitely pro maternity clothes! I don't know if they actually help me look pregnant or if I just feel that way but I'll take it! 
 (I tried that whole "look down at your stomach all motherly like it's beautiful", haha besides it being awkward, I couldn't see past my boobs anyway hahaha)
I still have no stretch marks on my stomach, although I do have some lion attack looking ones on my sides towards my back (you know, the "love handles/muffin top area), and then just a couple more dashes on my inner thighs. Haha my marks make me feel less crazy. I felt like I was getting wider like side to side, rather than bigger, like baby tummy coming out... and I'm going to have to say my marks prove that to be true. No?

The nursery has been coming together nicely. The room was already painted a dusty yellow, so that works. We have the crib and changing table/dresser, just need the mattress and changing pad. I'm really hoping to get a rocking chair or glider in there, seems like a good idea ;)  I've gotten a couple little outfits and I painted a canvas for his room. But as far as the nursery goes, that's about it!

Cravings haven't really been crazy. Nothing but Sprite or any "sparkly" drinks. This kid loves the bubbles. I've had tons of heartburn, with really anything I eat, and carbonation seems to help settle everything. The saddest moment was a few days ago when I went in the pantry to grab the last sprite can... and the box was EMPTY. It was a sad moment.

In other news: We have everything mostly unpacked and would love to see your faces! We are having a little housewarming party this Friday, at 6pm, come and go style! So if you feel like stopping by to say hi and check it out on the way to or from your Friday night plans please feel free!
(Message/text me if you need the address!)