.lost and found.

It was four years ago next month, October 27th to be exact, when Hubs popped the question. He presented me with a beautiful "proposal ring" made of silver and encrusted with opal, amethyst, and diamonds. It was stunning and one of a kind.

After moving four times in two and half years, I had been unable to find my beloved proposal ring anywhere. I'd lost countless hours of sleep thinking this priceless piece of our history as a couple had been lost somewhere.

I had hopes that perhaps it was buried in a box in our garage, but after de-junking the garage all week, and finally emptying the last box labeled "Brittney," I knew it was gone forever. I silently mourned the loss of my precious ring and started moving on to boxes labeled "kitchen stuff" and "electronics" and "misc. junk."

Ben was unpacking a box of books and discovered some misplaced items in the bottom of said box. He pulled out a jewelry box, which I noted out of the corner of my eye.

"Whatcha got there?" I asked, coyly. I just knew it was my ring! He was going to be sly about it and then reveal the ring in a blaze of glory, affirming again that he is, indeed, my knight in shining armor.

"Nothing," he said.

"Really?" I asked, snatching the box from him. I opened it to find... a pair of birthstone earrings I had gotten from my grandmother years ago. A wonderful find, but my heart sank. I was so certain that we had found my ring, but no... Just then, however, I spotted one more jewelry box in the bottom of the box. I tried not to hope as I opened it.

And there it was! My beautiful ring! My amazingly gorgeous, truly priceless, presumably irretrievable ring! It was a miracle! 

I was so happy, I cried. Some people would attribute that to the pregnancy hormones, but I have no shame in admitting that I would have bawled like a baby even if there weren't a tiny little being in my belly. 

Since finding it, it hasn't left my finger, except to take a couple of pictures to show all of you. The smile that finding it put on my face hasn't faded either.

P.S. To top off such a perfect evening, Hubs finally got to feel the baby move for the first time this pregnancy! The little squirt usually stops moving as soon as the presence of a hand on my belly is felt, but this time, we must have caught Jelly Bean of guard. Hubs said it was "weird," but I know he was thrilled to feel that little kick.

.day 126: over the moon.

I was just now, this moment, sitting on the couch, watching the History Channel and folding laundry while Ladybug is taking her morning nap. Deciding that one load folded was worthy of a little break, I sat back and put my hand on my stomach... not expecting it to be kicked by the tiny baby currently hanging out in my belly!

That's right! I just felt Jelly Bean from the outside!

I kept my hand there for a few minutes and felt several more bursts of movement. I am so excited! There really is a baby in there! I mean, of course I already knew that there was a baby in there (if there wasn't, my growing waistline would be real cause for concern), but to actually feel, from the outside, the little movements of the child I'm carrying is overwhelming!

.day 94: flutters.

Yup. It's official. I am feeling this little baby moving around. I just felt some definite flutters!

In my opinion, feeling those flutters is one of the best things in the whole world.

.day 93: is that you baby? it's me, mama.

On and off, all day long, I've been feeling what feels like a little bubble rolling around on the inside of my steadily growing baby bump. It comes for just a moment or two and then is gone, but I'm pretty sure I know what that "little bubble" is...

Is that you, Jelly Bean?

Are you enjoying your temporary abode? Stretching your brand, spankin' new arms and legs? I hope so. Get nice and comfortable. You're going to be there for a while and I'm afraid you'll find the space you're enjoying now will rapidly decrease in size.

No worries, though. I'm sure you'll be "feng shui-ing" mommy's organs soon enough to get cozy.