Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Will and I had a wonderful holiday break! We were able to spend 2 nights with my family in Shelby and two nights with his family in Highlands. It was wonderful to relax and enjoy family with only the agenda of spending time with each other!

becca, Will, Amanda, Daddy, Momma, Walter and his girlfriend Heather

I love this picture of my mom and sister!! Those grins are so natural! Maybe they are happy because they are the two that got to feel my little girl kick!

Camden with his Aunt becca; it is amazing how much energy a 4 year old wakes up with! Everyone had fun all weekend seeing what Camden would come up with next.

Ashley, Anderson, and "Oma"; we all love being spoiled by Oma! I also enjoy hanging out with Ashley and Anderson whenever possible. What a great Mom! and a baby who easily developed a great schedule. Anderson, don't forget to teach your cousin how to fall into that schedule.

Quintessential Opa; if you've ever wondered where Will got his thirst for books and reading, look no further.

Even with his pregnant wife in the room, Will found time to snuggle with his girlfriend! Lillie has been in the family for about 16 years now. I guess I am okay with it.

Christmas Day marked 20 weeks, which is the halfway point. At 20 weeks, I am feeling better most days. I still get sick a few times a week but nothing like in the beginning. Our little girl is kicking all day long now. Will can feel her some of the time. She definitely kicks the hardest around 9 at night when we are sitting on the couch. I guess already she is trying to compete with me for her daddy's attention. Will and I end this Christmas knowing we are truly blessed!

Baby Kick Boxing

I am sure moms who know that I am not quite 20 weeks yet will laugh at my title to the post. She is definitely not kicking hard every time I feel her, but... Will felt her last night for the first time!! After dinner, she kicked and I had him put his hand on my belly and she kicked again just for daddy. Insert big grin. Then last night, right after we turned off the light, she kicked harder than ever. She must have been positioned with her feet coming straight out toward my belly button. So, again, I wanted Will to see if he could feel her. I think both of our eyes got big at how strong both of us could feel her kick. What a truly amazing day we had yesterday!

It's a Girl!

Will and I were so excited today to see our little girl! We were both leaning a little more toward wanting a girl. I had always wanted my daughters to have a protective big brother, but I just couldn't help but want my first little girl. Will's comment as we walked out of the doctor's office, "I know that you wanted a big brother, but this little girl is going to have a bulldog of a dad looking after her." How true! Boys coming to take my little girl out, beware of the dad with the hunting rifle! :) He had such a wonderful grin on his face while he watched pictures of his girl on the screen. He is going to be such an amazing daddy!

It is amazing the pictures that the ultrasound was able to get.
While in-utero, I guess this shot is acceptable. The ultrasound technician said that this was a textbook picture of a little girl. Thanks for showing off for Mommy, precious girl!

Do babies have a "best side"? The technician was picking on my baby, noticing how she was relaxing, propping her feet up. I guess she appreciates not being at school today too. I love the profile and ribs on her right side.

Who can resist a sweet little baby's foot! You can even count her little toes.

This is the 3D shot. I don't know if getting to see the baby in 3D is typical at this appointment (with no additional charge), but it was wonderful! Look at that precious hand. I am sure that is showing her deep in [genius] thought. Don't worry; there is not a hole in the baby's head; it's just the machine.

Big Day!

Tomorrow is the big day. I am getting really excited about getting to have the ultrasound and "meet" my baby. How cool is it going to be to see my baby's little hands and feet. I have also had several very serioius conversations about how we will learn modesty later, but tomorrow baby needs to "show off" for Momma and Daddy. As soon as I have had time to call the parents and siblings to give them the news, look for the announcement!!

19 Weeks

I am at 19 weeks today! The big day is coming on Monday. Will and I are getting excited to know if we are looking forward to our son or daughter. Upon my request, Will and I went on a pre-registry baby-browsing trip on Saturday. We went to Babies 'R Us, Target, Burlington Coat Factory, ... Will mostly said, "whatever you think is best." Great words from a husband! Then he got really excited when we started looking at the baby furniture. I was happy to find that the browsing did not frazzle me. I think I am just ready to know boy or girl so we can start planning/preparing for real!

Will also says that I should be telling on myself more often. Like: on Saturday, I put peanut butter M&Ms in my ice cream sandwich. I am on my second jar of pickles. I eat, almost every day, two pickles when I get home from school. I have to have lots of ice in my water. I prefer salty to sweet (which is why the pickles make sense, salty, cold, crunchy). It is hard for me to stay awake after 9. I am a bit more forgetful, like leaving things in the house that my sweet husband will run back up and get.

Waiting for Monday!

You're Fat...

Okay, I am thinking that the baby has definitely had a growth spurt. I am getting more grins and more comments about showing. My students, however, are the humorous part to my day. In particular, my second period Algebra 1 keeps me laughing. On Monday, a student said, "you really are getting fat now, Mrs. Simmons!" with a big grin, knowing he had just complimented me so well. So, I thought it was time to start coaching them on other options to that phrase. Here are the student suggestions as to what those options should be:
"Your fetus is growing!"
"You are looking quite impregnated today."
"It's kinda like you got a butt in the front and a butt in the back."

I really had just been hoping for, "Mrs. Simmons you are really starting to show now."

I am not always sure what is considered not appropriate to share. I think it is funny, totally odd coming from a student, but still really funny. A student really said this to me. I taught this student two years ago, which was the school year that Will and I got married. She came to visit me during her lunch break today. This is what she said:
"Mrs. Simmons, congratulations! I have gotten to watch you grow up. When I met you, you were a virgin. Now, you are pregnant."
I was just proud that I was able to hold my laughter until this junior in high school (who has a three year old son) had left the room. What do you say to that comment?!

Now and Then

Welcome to Shelby High School, 2000!

Look at this amazing group 8 years later!

I brag all the time about how lucky I feel to know that these girls still call me friend, still can be counted on for help, and still love getting together.

I love you friends!

17 weeks

I know I just posted a picture, but this one is necessary for several reasons. One is that I have not posted a picture of my wonderful, sweet, supportive, handsome husband as he is getting excited about the baby. Another is that I am getting comments all the time now about "look at that stomach" or "that baby is really starting to show now" or the students' version "Mrs. Simmons you really are fat now." So here is the most recent picture of the growing belly. Notice we are at my parents' house, and they have a small stocking in between my and Will's for the baby. Can you tell they are excited?!

A First

Yesterday felt really monumental. A friend told me that Big Lots had advertised the EvenFlo brand pack-n-play (bassinet) for only $40! What a deal! The one I had been thinking about registering for was $100. Didn't take this math teacher long to figure out that 60% off is worth it. So, I went in and bought one. As I was driving home and then putting it together, I kept thinking, "I'm really having a baby.....I'm really having a baby." This was the first purchase Will and I have made for our little one. Before Will and I took it down and put it in the closet, I had to see what it looked like by our bed. With no baby to test it out, the lamb offered to stand in for the moment.

16 Weeks

Today marks 16 weeks. According to babycenter.com, the baby is 4.5 inches long, 3.5 ounces, about the size of an avocado. The site says "expect a growth spurt in the next three weeks"; the baby should double in weight and add inches.

It's amazing how the way I stand changes whether it looks like I am showing very much. But, Will and I agree that the baby bump is definitely there!

Classroom Questions

This weekend I saw two people whose first comment to me, before "how are you", was that they enjoy reading the things my students say to me. I am glad these stories amuse you guys as they do me. It is definitely keeping my days interesting. There is one class in particular that has no qualms about asking anything they think of. Here are two of my favorites so far:

About a month ago, out of nowhere, one of my students, said "Hey Mrs. Simmons, are you going to have a 'c-suction'?"
a c-suction
"Yeah, my mom had a c-suction when she had me. Are you going to have one?"
oh, you mean a c-section.
"Yeah, a c-section."
"Mrs. Simmons, what is a c-suction?"
Okay, a c-section.....[how do I explain this to my freshman?]......You know what a normally delievery is, right? So, with a c-section, they cut the mom's stomach and lift the baby out.
"Eeeew, that's disgusting"
"I would never do that, eeew"
"Like the other way is less disgusting!"

A few weeks later, this was the question they asked....
"Mrs. Simmons, I know where babies come out. But, hhooww?"
[yet again, how do I answer that?]
Well, you know how we talked about triangles or rectangles dilate, which means you can make them bigger or smaller. And, the same with your pupils after you go to the eye doctor.
"yeah, but...how?"
The same type thing happens. A woman's cervix [said slightly softer than everything else] dilates, which means it starts to get bigger. When it reaches a certain size, the baby is ready to come out.
"Oh, that makes sense."

I don't know if I am ready for their next question.

Boy or Girl?

Yesterday Will asked me if I had any preference for a son or daughter. I was excited because Will brought this up at a time when we were not talking about baby or pregnancy. Finally, with his classes over and India behind him and medical school applications submitted, he has time to think about the fact that we are pregnant! This is a day that I have been waiting on for weeks now. But, I digress....

Do I want a boy or girl? I guess it depends on what day it is whether I have a leaning one way or the other. When I was growing up, I always wanted my first child to be a boy, so that my other children would have an older brother. But, since I have two nephews, I think a girl might be fun right now. Most days I think it is going to be a boy. But, the last two nights in a row, my dreams have given us a baby girl.

What is most funny is others' opinion on the matter.

According to one woman, because I have been so sick through the first trimester, I am definitely having a boy. According a different woman, because I have been so sick through my first trimester, I am definitely having a girl. So, that is not the clue. Another friend has told me that I am having a boy since a boy was the first born in my family. The aunt has told me she wants a girl, and has referred to the baby as a girl since we knew were pregnant.

Four weeks from tomorrow is the big day. Christmas week (Dec 22) we have the doctor's appointment and ultrasound that will answer the question.

Pregnancy in the Math Classroom

Naming the Baby
"Mrs. Simmons, have you decided what you are going to name the baby?"
We have ideas.
"Well, I think you should take your and your husband's name and put them together to make up a new name."
hhhmmmmmm William + Rebecca = Wilecca or Rebilliam or...... maybe not
"No, Mrs. Simmons. You should name your baby 'Bubbles.' Bubbles is a great name for a baby boy or girl. Don't you think?"
I think for that one I will just grin and say I'll think about it.

Inappropriate but funny
"Mrs. Simmons, is your husband a manly man?"
Yes, he is definitely all boy, manly.
"Cool. You are going to have a boy."
Again, what do you say? Do boys really think that way??

Will in India

Well, here are a few pictures to give you an idea of Will's India trip. From everything he says, he really did have a good experience. He enjoyed the food. He ate lots of India food, which he says is hard to describe because even as you eat it you are not sure what meat it is or what the sauce is comprised of. He also ate Pizza Hut three times, funny.

Because most of their work was done at the pastor's conference, it was not evangelical in nature. Their main goal was to be a support to the workers who are there in India every day of the year. He worked primary at the table, helping sign people in and getting their basic information ready for the doctors to see. When he wasn't there, he was one of the main guys in charge of recreation time. That was probably what took him the farthest out of his comfort zone, but the kids were so well-behaved he said it went really well. As you can ask him, I am sure he has more details he can share.

13 Weeks

There is not much to see right now, but I thought 13 weeks might be a good time to show the pregnant belly before it really starts showing.



Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be pregnant while teaching? It's kinda like getting an up-date on how others view you, whether you asked for it or not. I guess the real question is when they say "kids say the darndest things," do they mean high school kids?? I took this picture on Thursday (the day the number of weeks changes). That very day here are a couple of the conversations I had with my students....

1st period:
"Mrs. Simmons, you lookin' fat."
ummmm, thanks. What do you say to that?

2nd period:
Kids don't mess with me today; I have already been called fat.
"Mrs. Simmons, let us see!"
"You don't look fat Mrs. Simmons."
"No, you don't look fat. You just have a bulge."
"Mrs. Simmons, do you want a boy or a girl? -barely pause- 'Cause you are definitely having a girl."
"You don't know that"
"Yeah, look at the way she is holding the baby."
Again, what do you say to that?

Welcome Home!

Will is home from India! He is safe, healthy, and with a beard. And, I am happy! He said it was a great trip. I hope for more details than that soon, but for now, I am happy enough to know that he is back with me and with no intention of leaving again.

Will in India

I have heard from Will! Will called from New York before his 15 hour flight to India, which was a pleasure. But, then he called from Bombay after arriving in India. He said that the flight was easy; they even landed one hour early. It was so wonderful to talk to Will!! At that time he had one more flight (about an hour-long flight) to Baroda. Keep praying that he has a safe and God-glorifying trip. And then that he comes home to me safely!

Anderson Burke Brown

A very proud Aunt becca announces the arrival of her second nephew. Camden came over around 6:15 last night. His little brother Anderson made his appearance around 9:56 last night. He weighed in at 7lb 11oz. So far, Mom, Dad, big brother, and baby are doing well. In a few hours we will take Camden to meet his little brother! Exciting! [This will give Uncle Will and Aunt becca perspective for what will happen about 6-7 months from now.]

Our Second Doctor's Appointment

Two weeks after the first appointment it was time to go back for our second doctor's appointment. Will is so wonderful to so easily go with me to the appointments. It is wonderful sharing this with him. I think this second aapointment is what has made the whole experience so much more real to both of us. I was very pleasantly surprised when the doctor gave us another ultrasound at this second appointment. I didn't think I would get to "see" the baby again until the ultra sound to check everything at the 18 weeks appointment.

The doctor's comment as he began the ultrasound was "look at this baby move!" These still pictures do not do justice to what Will and I saw. At one point, the baby was moving and then raised his or her arm as if waving to Mom and Dad!! It was the coolest thing I have ever seen. I am having a baby! And, my baby just waved at me. This makes me even more excited to know what I'll see at the 18 week appointment; this was only 10 weeks.

For now, I wait for my sister-in-law to go into labor (due date is today) so that she can show me how that part is done. Then I can practice on my new nephew for a few months until my little one makes his or her appearance.

The First Ultrasound

At the very first doctor's appointment we go to hear the baby's heart beat and see these two pictures of our baby. That was a nice moment to help make me having a baby more real.

Will and becca plus Baby!

I am creating this blog for the same reason many of my friends have......I am pregnant! Will and I are expecting our first baby. We are excited to meet our little one sometime around May 14.

My real excitement today is from our second doctor's appointment. We went to the first two weeks ago. We had the first ultrasound that allowed us to hear the heartbeat. Today, the doctor did another ultrasound! I was pleasantly surprised about that. The baby was so active. I didn't think at ~10 weeks the baby would be so active, but the baby moved so much. At one point, the baby moved his arm so that it looked like he waved at us. (Okay, no gut feeling, just awkward to keep saying the baby.)

For as often as you want to look, I will look forward to sharing my and Will's experience, including my growing belly, where Will and I will be after May, excitement about Will's May graduation, ....