Alice

Welcome to the world, Alice Margaret

Alice joined us on Friday, July 13 and we couldn't feel more blessed. 8 pounds 8 ounces and 21 inches long,  she's perfect.

Yoga

I miss yoga! I stopped teaching a couple weeks ago, teaching was becoming difficult. It wasn't really the poses that I was having a hard time with- it was talking while doing the poses at the same time. If I didn't have to say anything, I was fine. But talking- I'd be out of breath in no time. I put my gym membership on hold because I wasn't using it. I was planning on going to a local yoga studio for pre-natal classes, but those proved to be a huge let down. The actual asana portion of the class was great, but the teacher spends the first half an hour of the class as check-in. It was a time to let everyone in the class discuss what's going on in their pregnancies. I wasn't really down with paying $15 to listen other women who like to hear themselves talk.

So, where I'm going with this- my mom took some photos of me teaching teaching my last class (at least until I go back in the fall) and I wanted to share. I was a little reluctant for her to take photos at first, but I'm so glad she did!

What's To Come

Is it possible to simultaneously feel ecstatic and sad about a single event? With the baby due any day now, my excitement and anticipation is bubbling over. I cannot wait to meet and bond with the newest member of our family (and find out if we should be buying pink or not). At the same time, I'm feeling nostalgic knowing that everything is going to change. Becoming pregnant with Jack was a (complete) surprise- but I never had that feeling of nervousness about adding a baby to our coupledom. I never felt the loss of it being "just the two of us." But now, the thought of going from a family of three to four scares me. Adam, Jack and I have an identifiable bond that will inevitably change. I've been trying to fit in as much special Jack time in these past couple of days and weeks as possible.

I'm so worried that he'll feel slighted once the baby arrives. We went to the beach with friends today, and after Jack and I went for ice cream- just the two of us. I couldn't help but feel sad knowing that pretty soon these one-on-one dates will be much less frequent. I'm sure the hormones of being just about 40 weeks pregnant are playing a role, but I feel so lucky for the connections we've made with Jack the 2 1/2 years he's been here. And really, I know things are only going to get better with the next baby Stoner.

Summer is Here

It's official... summer vacation is here and we have nothing planned except to wait for the baby to arrive. Due in 2 1/2 weeks, I can't believe we're this close to being a family of four.

Here's a little bit of what we've been up to lately...

As far as exercising goes, it's been pretty nonexistent. With chasing Jack around all day, I honestly don't have the desire or energy to work out. I'm hoping it returns, though, as I did something a little crazy- I signed up for a fall half marathon. We'll see if it actually happens.

First Race

Look who ran his first race yesterday! It was spring challenge at school, and the kids have 15 minutes to run as many laps as they can. Jack's classroom got in on the fun and it was so exciting to see him and his friends coming around the field. The kids in kindergarten were so cute when the toddlers ran through, high fiving them and cheering them on. I took over from here and ran Jack into the "finish line." It was definitely one of my top mama moments. The boy loves to run and I can't wait to do more races with him as he gets older.

Marathon Sunday

Hi friends! Remember when I used to blog? Things have been busy around here, and as much as I love what I do, I'm looking forward to summer vacation.

At 34 weeks, the reality that another little being will be joining our household very soon has become very real. I'm stressed out, per usual, about anything and everything that's out of my control. Running is now completely done, and taken over by walks and prenatal yoga.

Last weekend, Jack and I got into the marathon spirit by heading into Burlington to cheer on the runners in the marathon. I won't lie, walking down I started to get a little teary about not running in the race. It doesn't seem like a year ago that we were here. Once we saw our favorite runners, my mom, Tom, and new marathoner Melissa!!!, any jealousy I had went away (well, most of it). Jack was an excellent cheerleader, yelling "Go!" and ringing cowbells on Church Street. I think Marathon Sunday in Burlington is one of my favorite days of the year.

3 AM

I am usually one to hate the quotes and inspirational messages posted all over Pinterest, but today I saw this and I love it. Lately I've been feeling really worried about having a new baby in the house again. I like my sleep, and am worried about all those sleepless nights that are inevitably to come.

But then again, some of my best memories from when Jack was a newborn are the ones from the middle of the night. Midnight feedings, cuddled up on the couch in his room, getting to know each other. Those nights create such a bond between mama and baby, I wouldn't trade them for anything.