35.5

I am so far behind at this point that I am not even going to try to catch up! So I will just hit the highlights.

I am tired, uncomfortable and swollen. I am over this for real.

Okay so... big things:

1. This baby does have a name, and no, it is not a secret. I can't believe I haven't posted it... I had good intentions. (I was going to introduce him with a beautiful 4D picture of his sweet face, but then he didn't exactly cooperate, and I forgot.) We are naming him Joseph Porter Chappell. Both are family names. There were just too many options out there, so we decided family was the way to go (and Justin didn't want him named Edward Cullen Chappell...). Joseph was my great-grandfather's name and also Justin's grandfather's name. Porter was my great uncle who raised my Grandmother Frances (when Joseph died). We are going to call him Porter. I have only known one other Porter in my life (a good friend in college), and he is a pretty good guy, so I feel safe in this choice. We have gotten in the habit of calling him JoPo. Justin says that he is going to be the best running back in the SEC, and "Run JoPo Run" is a Nike campaign waiting to happen. I do hope he isn't too disappointed when the child inherits my athletic prowess... Anyway, we must stop calling him JoPo pronto...it just rolls off the tongue...

2. I had my last day at work on November 11. It couldn't have come soon enough. I have been super-busy trying to get everything done before the baby comes. I run out of steam quickly, so this has not been easy. Who knew how long it would take to wash all those tiny clothes?! And we still have not finished his room. And I have been trying to get all the Christmas presents bought and wrapped... my list is long, people. Please pray that I get it all done. I am not very good at sitting and waiting; I like a plan. And a firm date and time. And apparently that is not how childbirth works, so I get frustrated easily. I am a joy to be around...

3. Showers!! I have had several showers in different cities!! I really have felt so loved by everyone involved... my mother's friends, friends who drove HOURS to see me (one days after giving birth herself), perfect menus, no details overlooked... It has been overwhelming, to say the least. I was going to post separately about each one, but that would take forever, and I am still missing some pictures (why I can't be trusted to take them on my camera is beyond me....) These pictures are backwards chronologically, which drives me nuts, but whatever...

Me and Mom

Lauren, Krista, Lyndsay, Sally, me, Lucy, Nicole & Carson Jill, Kat, Kelly, Kristen & Kelley

My AU Besties: Caroline, Taylor & Lindsey

Pretty table at Kelly's house

The hostesses: Katie, Kristen, Jill, Nicole & Kelly

Mom opening her present!

Fun truck theme at Mrs. JoAnn's house

I think that is it for today... I have to sing the praises of my sweet husband, who has taken over all the household duties and has listened to me complain non-stop with little irritation on his part. He did tell me to suck it up yesterday...that I only had a maximum of 4 weeks left, and couldn't I just keep it to myself for 10 minutes???? But he said that after listening to me grunt with every step all the way around the mall for hours... I wish I could keep it to myself, but it just comes out. Which is another good reason for me to NOT blog right now!! Who wants to read this drivel... I'll update when I have something nice to say. :)

And God bless single mothers. I think about them all the time.