Did you know that some babies in the womb start to move as early as 16 weeks into pregnancy? I’m not quite sure if I’ve mentioned this to you yet, but little Selah has been choreographing her own “dance routine” in my belly ever since what I believe to be the 18th week! 
It is absolutely one of the coolest, most beautiful, miraculous, and laughter inducing feelings in the world—so much so that I constantly look down at my belly to check out the spams that look as if a tiny little creature were trying to POP right out of my skin. You may call me crazy lady, but whenever I feel it and see it with my own eyes, I just can’t help but to burst out in giggles and constant laughter. Yup, even in public! But that’s when I try to keep it as much on the down low as possible because let’s face it, who wants to be looked at as the crazy lady? Haha.
I thought I’d update you on my pregnancy status since right now I am already on my 24th week (6 months) and this Sunday will mark the 25th.
I’m feeling rather good and my appetite has pretty much stayed the same, not very hungry or snacky at all. Every now and then, however, I want to eat a bigger meal than I’m used to but with a snack or two less on that given day. Normally pre-pregnancy I used to eat 3 regular meals with 3-4 small snacks daily, and now I variate from 3 meals and 1 or 2 snacks a day. Other than my appetite being somewhat consistent, I’m just as tired as I was at the beginning of the first trimester. Fortunately, I always experience a bout of energy here and there and use up those times to stay active by hiking somewhere, doing Leah’s routines, or getting a sweaty cardio session at the gym by walking on an incline, ellipticizing, or using the stepmill. Oh yeah! And my round ligaments are killing me like no other! It is far easier to walk up a hill rather than on a flat surface; perhaps walking on a flat surface causes more impact. The round ligament pain is almost as bad as the killer nocturnal cramps I’ve been getting on my calves. You should see the comedic sight that is my right leg right now. It’s plastered with numerous Salon Pas patches and it looks so ridiculous it’s actually kind of funny. But it’s all in the name of suffering out of love. 
And moving on to some deeper stuff!
Wow, it’s been six months already! And I clearly remember announcing about my pregnancy like, yesterday! What, wasn’t it yesterday? Oh my goodness if this is how fast pregnancy flies by, then I’m a little bit apprehensive about how quickly Selah will grow up into a toddler, then into a high schooler, and then she’ll end up married before I know it! Phew. Okay I really had to get that out of my system and I hope you understand.
It’s no wonder the other day my dad told me these sweet and sentimental words: “I feel like it was just yesterday that I would walk you to school in the streets of Argentina, trying to get you to class on time as you held my hand ever so tightly. And now…my own little daughter is having a daughter of her own. It’s just incredible how fast our lives move on.” And then I thought, “thaaaat’s it! This is too sweet and emotional for me—quick, somebody throw me a tissue!” Since it is quite unusual for any older Korean man to speak in such a tender manner, let alone my dad who has the hardest time expressing his words aside from, “did you eat?”. I guess some things do change for the better, huh? 
It goes without saying that it was definitely one of those conversations that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life!
And to conclude these thoughts I realized something today—something that I already knew yet noticed how easy it is to forget, all whilst taking a leisurely stroll with Greg on the beach right at sunset…
And that’s the fact that just like the sun itself which goes down within the blink of an eye, we have to be so careful to take in every moment and cherish it with much gratitude because we never know how quickly our lives may change right before our eyes. Life is so ephemeral and it’s a phenomenon that I will never fully understand. But as irony will have it, I was saying those thoughts aloud to Greg during our stroll and caught myself getting distracted by all these negative thoughts that were merely trying to take my eyes off of God and the precious moment I had with my husband. Sad, I know.
I know I definitely don’t want that to be the case when other wonderful gifts present themselves before me, namely Selah. And hey, why not cherish those times when things get tough? Because they will get tough at one point or another as that is the inevitable characteristic of life. In the end I want to be able to take something good from those experiences and cherish the revelations that I’ve received, instead of moaning and groaning about the woes of living.
On a much lighter note, here’s to hoping that tonight I’ll be thankful despite having to sleep on my side all the time, hah! Last night I found myself tossing and waking up every other hour “wishing” back the days when I could sleep on my back. Well, I guess I’ll try to cherish even the “difficulties” of pregnancy instead of wishing them away because I know that in the future I’ll be wishing for another child to be pregnant with. And um, that might result in the form of having enough kids to form a cheerleading squad 10 years from now. Not sure if that’s the way to go. 
May you guys have a truly blessed and glorious weekend!
In what ways do you need to cherish your every moment?
Do you sometimes find yourself enjoying something, only to fall straight into the trap of negative thinking?
Love,
Ellie <33
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
The part about Selah ‘dancing’ in your belly made me smile instantly. She’s going to be the sweetest ever girl – just like her mother.
I don’t know what you do / eat but how can anyone look so gorgeous during pregnancy?
Well, I have moments when I feel extremely happy and blessed and just loved by everyone around me, along with things in life progressing smoothly – then all of a sudden I stop and then negativity sinks in and I’d wonder when will the happiness around me come to an end; questioning myself since I’m so ‘lucky’ lately will I be thrown with more challenges the next day etc.
I guess this post is a great reminder for me to just enjoy and appreciate what I have, and yes, even moments and stages when life gets tough (like reaaally tough) because we’re stronger than we think we are.
The best thing is, we always have family and friends whom we can count on. I think Greg and your family delights you a lot and I love seeing that! Take care <3
Hmmmmm girl, what you want? Want me to buy you dinner or bake you cupcakes? hahaha, that’s too nice of a compliment from ya! Thank you Jun~:) And what I eat is mostly the stuff I share on the blog every now and then! And my workouts are mostly elliptical, stepmill, walking, and ballet inspired stuff like Leah Sarago’s DVDs which I reviewed.
And thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I know what you mean about the feeling of “projecting” negative things in the future, but I believe it is soooo essential to just take it one day at a time and just know that we can only do what we’re able to do, and then leave the rest to God (assuming one believes and follows Him). At least, that’s how I roll and it’s something I hope everyone could experience!
You love how you said: you’ll miss being pregnant again. I AM!!!
I didn’t have much negative thoughts during pregnancy because I was comfortable most of the time except when my nose was bleeding crazy.
having this little person inside you is so special, isn’t it? And she will grow so fast that you won’t be able to catch up with her! So enjoy every moment of it!!!
ohhh the nose bleeds! It’s such a weird phenomenon and I get it everyday but it’s really light–prob. not like yours.
And it is so special and such a miracle~I just can’t really grasp it!
That conversation with your Dad is so beautiful
And congratulations on being 6 months! That really has gone faster than seems possible!
haha, hasn’t it?!!!
Wow Ellie! You look amazing, even during pregnancy. What’s your secret?
And, you are right. Time goes by so fast Cherish every moment you have. And, the conversation you had with your father is so beautiful.
haha Helen, thank you for the sweet comment! Although I try to not rely on what others think about me, it is always nice for a pregnant woman to hear that–doesn’t hurt!
And you can read the reply I left on Jun’s comment for your question if you’re still curious.
6 months already? It seems like just yesterday that you announced!
Yes 6 months! But then again, I think I announced more like~a few weeks AFTER finding out myself, so more like 4.5 months? but still!
Time does seem to fly, doesn’t it? It is scary for me to think that in a few short years I will be living on my own and possibly getting married. A tear came to my eye when reading what your father said. It reminded me of my mom and I. So cute
It is a weird feeling because I feel like just yesterday I met Greg at school and we became friends! 0_0 And the older I get the more I realize how precious it is to be able to have a RELATIONSHIP with a parent/parents.
Ellie, this post was so beautiful to read. I can’t even tell you how many tears I shed. to hear what your dad said, wow.. amazing.
awwww I’m glad you were touched! I know you yourself are an active seeker of seeing the bright side of everything.
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