[zei the Charmed One] Has it really been 4 years?

I'm writing this 2 days early since I'm maximizing all my awake hours from this pregnancy-related insomnia. Most of my posts are about being a mom, but first and foremost, I am a wife. And on the 25th, I will be for 4 years to be exact. So this post is dedicated to my main man, my husband of 4 years. :)

 

First, I want to say THANK YOU, for the wonderful 4 years. I know it hasn't been free of the hiccups here and there, but including all those, it's really been wonderful. I love our life, you, me, zia and our coming baby girl rio; and I have you to thank for that. Thank you for the patience, for adoring zia, for taking care of our family and for simply being you.

 

Second, I want to say SORRY. I'm sorry for the times I've been more mommy to zia than wife to you, I think it comes with having young children talaga. I promise I'll make it up to you when our two girls are above 5. Haha. Kidding. Will try my best to be conscious of it and make sure you'll still feel very much prioritized. I'm sorry for the times we argue, but do know in my heart of hearts that even when we argue, I will forever trust, love and respect you.

 

Lastly, I want to say I LOVE YOU. Yup, no explanation needed. Just I LOVE YOU.

 

 

Happy 4th anniversary love! 4 years has gone by so fast, we've built a beautiful home and we're soon gonna be a family of four. We are beyond blessed! Looking forward to next 50 or so years with you and our girls. <3 p="">

 

[Zei the Charmed one] Cloud Nine!

On the eve of our 9th anniversary as Rich & Zei I just want you to know this, Love...

After so many changes we've gone through - from first jobs to third jobs; from going out on dates to walking down the aisle; from dreaming of our own place to building our own home; from being just the two of us to being Zia's mommy & daddy; my love for you has stayed the same, maybe it's grown even more. I want you to know that each and everyday I call you 'LOVE' isn't just out of habit - I call you 'LOVE' because I mean it. And I mean it each and everyday. 

Happy 9th Love! I love you! :)  

[Shopaholic Zei] Of loopholes and happiness

Rich and I have banned ourselves from shopping until April 8 as our Lenten sacrifice, but in most restrictions, there are loopholes. In our case, shopping for ourselves may be a no-no, but shopping for Zia and our house is a definite yes. So yesterday, since we were in the Shaw area, I had a valid excuse to go to Shangri-La (Read: Zara) and go shopping happy for the baby girl. I love it when it's spring/summer season, since the clothes are carefree, colorful and cheery - just perfect for Zia. I ended up getting her 4 dresses, 3 of which are of the same style but with different colors and 2 pairs of leggings. If I had it my way, I would've bought some sneakers too, but the more disciplined husband of mine stopped me.

Oh, and to add to our shopping loot for Zia, I asked Richmond to buy her the doll I've been wanting for her, this Lamaze Princess Sophie doll, which Zia would love for sure because her whole skirt crinkles (Zia's fascinated with the sound). She squeaks too and the loop she's holding could be used as a teether too. ;) So there, no shopping for us, but yay, still, for Zia.

[Zei on Career & Passion] Friday of all Fridays

Today is a particularly momentous Friday - why? Well, today I tendered my resignation from my day job of 3 and a half years. I'm a brand man by day, just in case you guys don't know. It's not that I don't like what I do, because I really do and I love my brands, but I guess the time has come for me to move on.

Today I chose my loyalty to my family, my loyalty to Zia and my loyalty to myself. It was just something I had to do for me. It feels right and I am happy.

I'll be wearing the stay-at-home mom hat for awhile and enjoy it while it lasts since returning to the workforce is still just around the corner. But for today, I can think of being the best version of me, not in the workplace, but in my turf where I matter the most (or so, I think), at home, with Rich and Zia.

Something tells me, it's gonna be a great weekend! Happy Weekend all!

[Zei the foodie] My (lifetime) date's version of dinner on a budget

Here's a post on one of my other interests - food! Oh, all this glorious food! Anyway, Rich and I usually have our weekly dates on Sundays after we hear mass. Last Sunday however was a low-on-cash weekend, but we were compelled to still eat dinner outside to spare our ate of cooking our dinner while taking care of Zia. And since we've kinda moved on from Jollibee and Mcdo dinners, my husband took the lead in deciding where we could eat with the following criteria:

1) We have to be full after dinner

2) Must just be Php 500.00

3) We have to be comfortably seated

And the dear husband found exactly that. Thanks to Burgoo! He was walking around and scouting when he got a coupon from the Burgoo attendant. Being the marketing-stunt-gullible person he is (he goes for promo packs when grocery shopping), he reported back to me and presented his suggestion and I gladly obliged.

We got a free Gambas Al Ajillo (appetizer but eaten as a main entree) worth Php375 by ordering 1 main entree of the same or higher price. We opted for the Lemon Peppered Chicken complete with rice pilaf which is also priced at Php375. We just ordered extra plain rice, iced tea and bottled water and we were good to go. Not bad, really.

With our coupon, we ate on a budget (we went Php 85 over budget, but that's okay), but left with happy and filled stomachs. Oh and we still had take-out chicken and gambas left which we brought home for ate Marlene.

Photo credit: www.gitaasuncion.blogspot.com

[Zei the charmed one] Weekends are heaven sent

Weekends with this little girl make me wish weekends don't end.
I love how I have time to play dress up with Zia during the weekends.



Weekends = Happy, Wacky and quality family time

I've always loved weekends. Back then, circa life without a husband and a baby, weekends used to mean going to the mall, shopping, eating out and just hanging around people I love (but really, more of going to the mall), but now, weekends seem to be more special. Wanna know why? Well, because it means two straight days of spending quality time with my favorite people in the world a.k.a the two loves of my life.

Do you agree, weekends are heaven sent? =) I'm pretty sure you do. =)

[Zei the MOM] She's got mommy's smile

I've always wanted to have a mini-me, but when Zia was born and everyone was saying she looked more like her daddy I didn't mind any of it - when she arrived, all I wanted was for our daughter to be a happy baby - never mind if she looked more like me or Rich.

Today, at a little over 6 months, it seems like I have a mini-me. Zia is reminding me of myself more and more as each day passes. But the more important thing is, our daughter is a happy baby. Just look at her smile, which she got, most evidently, from (ahem) me! Although beyond the big smile, my wish and prayer is that she would get my optimism and happy disposition when she grows up. You see, those who know me always say I'm an optimistic person and I've always been a happy and cheerful person. I guess my main point is that I hope Zia sees life the way I see it, with a positive outlook - that each waking moment is a blessing and that each day is a reason to be thankful.

The good thing is, I (together with my husband) have a hand in making Zia see life exactly like that.

Just sharing one of my weekend thoughts. Hope you're all enjoying the weekend as much as I am!

[Zei the charmed one] Love letter

To the two loves of my life on Valentine's Day,

I've always had a happy and charmed life - a loving family, good friends and all pretty things I wanted, but I never knew I could be even happier and more blessed. Now I can really really say that I am at my happiest because of you love and of course, our daughter Zia. You make everyday red letter days. Must have done something right to deserve having both of you in my life. Loving is easy when it comes to the two of you.

Here's a promise that my love for both of you will be a love that's one for the books - the greatest love a wife and mother could give. Everyday is actually Valentine's day for me with you two in my life.

On this day of hearts, I am grateful for being given the gift of a loving husband and a wonderful daughter. And on this day that celebrates love, I thank the Lord for letting me love you every waking moment of my life.

Words aren't really enough to express how much I love you both, but I'm putting it out there so somehow you'd know that it is because of loving you both, that makes me whole.

Signed with outpouring love,

Your Zei/Mommy

My Christmas/Forever-until-I-get-it wish list

It's 52 days before Christmas and what better way to spice up my countdown than by sharing my Christmas wish list. This list isn't actually just limited to Christmas, which is why I'm also calling it my Forever-until-I-get-it wish list.

MY wish list

1. VNC Green satchel (http://www.facebook.com/#!/vncphilippines)

2. Elle Emmi peep-toe wedges (http://www.kaboodle.com/)

3. Dooney and Bourke Spicy Satchel in Black black/Black/Kelly Green (http://www.shopstyle.com/) 4. Guess Groovy Rhombus bag in black (http://www.4trees-lemon.com/) 5. Fridge-to-go in pink (http://www.fridge-to-go.com/) 6. Lactation cookies (http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/)

7. Lots and lots of stored milk supply for Zia when I go back to work (http://www.littlebayi.blogspot.com/)

8. Mamaway nursing tank with built-in-bra in black and white (http://www.mamaway.multiply.com/)

9. Forever 21 shopping spree (http://www.stylesilove.blogspot.com/)


10. Makeover to get me out of my maternity leave/stay at home rut

11. 1-year subscription to Real Living magazine (http://www.summitmedia.com.ph/)

My wish list for Rich & I

1. Master bedroom makeover (http://www.1blondesambition-home.blogspot.com/)

2. Trip to anywhere (http://www.tonyocruz.com/)

3. A smaller car (http://www.mazdapits.com/)

My wish list for Zia

1. Your Baby can Read DVD set (http://www.whosmybaby.com/) 2. Lamaze cloth books (http://www.babysoft.com/)
3. Dr. Seuss Book collection (http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/)

4. Shopping spree at Baby Gap & Zara Baby

5. Manuella yellow kitty bag (http://www.babygadget.net/)
6. Dwell Studio crib bedding set (http://www.modernurbanbaby.com/)

7. Aprica Marshmallow Fruit Car seat bed (http://www.safensound.com.my/)

8. Infant vaccine spree at The Medical City (good until she's 1)

9. A college plan

My wish list for our home

1. A kitchen makeover

2. Shopping spree at Dimensione & Howards Storage World

3. A blue bladeless fan (we already have one in pink for Zia's room) (http://www.ft.com/)

4. mp3 speakers (http://www.mp3speaker-s.net/)

5. Additional wall decals (we have a couple installed already) (http://www.facebook.com/#!/refreshfashion)

And of course, there are the intangible ones for all of us such as good health, wisdom, safety, love and happiness. Go jot down the things you'd love to have now! Remember, it could extend beyond Christmas so big ticket items could be listed. =p

Happy wish list making everyone! ;)

*Photo website sources listed beside item

Yesterday was a day of many firsts

Just as the title says, yesterday was a day of many firsts for me. Allow me to enumerate and expound if necessary.

~ First time to leave our baby girl for more than 3 hours

People have been saying that I have to get used to leaving our baby girl for more than 8 hours so I won't have a hard time adjusting when I go back to work. Well, yesterday, Richmond and I were out for around 7 hours, so I guess that's a good start. But the whole time we were out, I was texting hourly and asking how Zia was doing. Hehe.

~ First Happy Lemon drink

Since I got pregnant, I've never had a sip of milk tea and I was always sad that I couldn't drink what has become sort of a fad drink. Though I still can't really drown myself with milk tea since I'm breastfeeding, I took a break yesterday and decided that 1 small order of Happy Lemon milk tea won't hurt. So how was my first sip - loved it to bits. Thanks for the treat love!

~ First Mochi Ice Cream experience

Try it. A kids fist sized ball of mochi goodness with ice cream inside. You'll wonder where this yummy treat has been all your life. =p

~ First movie date with rich since I gave birth

We watched Real Steel and it was a great 1st movie after around 2 months of hiatus.

~ First time to use the Breastfeeding Station (not to breastfeed, but to pump)

Since we were out for a couple of hours, I really had to pump. Luckily, Eastwood Mall had a nice and quiet breastfeeding station where I could pump privately. I was conscious at first since there were 2 other breastfeeding moms, but I got into the groove shortly and pumped away.

So there, that was my day of firsts and I loved my day yesterday, but it actually made me look forward more to the time when we could share many firsts with our baby girl. Can't wait! Lovelier days ahead!

She's Daddy's girl

He was the first to hold you when you were born and at that moment I already knew --

you're daddy's little girl.

It makes my heart smile when I see your daddy holding you in his arms and smiling with such love and pride and joy. And although I know you're mommy's girl too, I'm happy to say that you're daddy's girl and I can't wait for you to know all the great things about your dad.

Hello World. Might not be blogging much for awhile as my new muse has arrived. Everyone, meet our baby girl, Zia. We named her Maria Zareen Feliz which means literally means 'golden happiness'. Indeed she has given new meaning to our lives. Meanwhile, here she is :)




Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Wishing all of you sevenfold blessings!

'Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above' - James 1: 17

Ohhh... What's this?

I have an amazing husband - he introduces me to lots of cool gadgets. He was the one who found this for baby. So what is it really? It could be anything from an ipod dock, an antenna, to speakers and to other techie what-have-yous out there, but it's actually, lo and behold - an electric fan - a bladeless one at that. Rich found it fitting for baby's room since we can't live on aircon alone plus it eliminates the hazard of getting her baby fingers cut from the blades. It's actually quite cool. :)

The display at Electronics Boutique was in blue and white, so you could just imagine my thrill when they found 1 stock remaining in pink and white. Lovely and Cool at the same time. :) It was such a cool gadget even my mom (relative to her non-techiness) wanted to buy one.

Aside from its safety function, it blends well with any contemporary house setting - it's a gadget and cool deco/statement in one. :) It has no brand though, it just says Bladeless Fan in the box. It's a bit pricier than the regular electric fans, but hey, where can you get a fan that cools, looks cool and lets you put your hand through it without any gory end. It comes in a couple of colors too. I guess I'm just super thrilled about it - explanation why this merited its own post. Hehe. :)

P.S. Thanks love for always introducing me to amazing gadgets such as this. Zia will love it. :)

The tale of the centimeter

We had our 37th week OB visit yesterday, and much to the satisfaction of our OB, I was already at 1cm. Brief background - our OB wants me to give birth earlier than 40 weeks so i could still deliver normally because I'm small. It was the first time I went alone to the OBs office since Rich had his blood typing in another part of the hospital, so I had time to ponder about. I actually didn't know how to feel about it, but I knew that it was a step closer to having our baby girl with us.

It was funny how we went into a state of frantic buying and double checking when I told Rich about our 1cm situation. So after TMC, we went straight to Galleria - we bought additional house clothes for baby, because she still lacked enough of those; a rocker and sleeper which baby can sleep in at night beside us in our room (the crib will wait for a few months more) and an amazing gadget that will keep baby cool in her room sans the detrimental addition to our Meralco bill because of the aircon (Will write a separate post for this).

It wasn't actually cramming per se, I guess it just got more real when we found out about that simple centimeter. Hehe.

Feeling the homestretch. Please pray for our little family. :)

Photo credit: www.weddingthings.com

Why 8 & 7 will always be my lucky numbers

The number 8 and 7 will always be my lucky numbers. :) They've both been my class numbers in school, I like how they sound when you say it and I also like the way they're written. More importantly, our anniversary (Rich & I) falls on August 7 (8/7). I know that when you get married they say you should celebrate your new wedding anniversary date, but 8/7 is just such a special day that we will go on celebrating it until we can. =)

8 years ago today, August 7, 2003 to be exact, my heart made the best decision ever - actually, it wasn't a difficult decision to make, because it felt so real, so right and so natural - I said yes to the sweetest, most caring and kindest boy I've ever met and I've felt like the luckiest girl ever since (biases aside). I was 18, he was 22 then, we're now married and expecting our 1st baby, I'm 26 and he's 30, but my LOVE, you will always be the thoughtful, super sweet and cheesy and most loving boy I will never tire of loving.

We've gone through so many things my love, not to mention, so many Between You & Me cards, but the thing I love the most about your cards are the ones you've written yourself - it always makes my heart melt - it's your genuine sweetness. And I want you to know that your love makes me feel blessed each and every day.

Happy Anniversary love! I've said it before, and I'm saying it again - I really know in my heart of hearts that our love is really one GREAT love. <3

75 days to go!

To the love of my life and dad-to-be to our baby girl, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

We love you! <3

My husband and his anecdotes

Rich has shared a lot of his own anecdotes with me for the past 8 years we've know each other. And for some reason, they're getting wittier and more amusing (amusingly funny) now that we're married. Here's one of his takes on giving birth as related to our breakfast earlier:

R: (While squeezing the mustard onto his plate) It's like giving birth... You have to squeeze and squeeze and not let go, because if you do it's gonna go back (referring to the mustard and how it retracts if you stop squeezing).

Z: (Half laughing and half smirking) It's not that easy...

Anyway, that's my husband... the funny guy. He makes me laugh and I'm very thankful for that. =)

Just because...

Just want to share how my thoughtful husband made my day today. Anyway, I've always been bothered by the road bumps we pass every morning on the way to work and every evening going home - I worry that baby's being juggled around too much and of course there's a slight discomfort for me and my nearly 7-month belly. Because of my issues, Rich and I have been looking around for a maternity support belt, but the ones we've seen so far are lace-y, which isn't my cup of tea. I Just wanted a simple black one. Finally, we found the belt that fit my pre-requisites. So, Richmond, being the caring husband he is, got me the maternity support belt I wanted as his 'Just because it's June 2' gift (Just the way he said it).

But, there's actually more, aside from my 'black belt', he also surprised me by buying another one, but a bit more of a big ticket item for a 'just because' gift. He got us a new digital point and shoot, the Sony TX-10 in yellow green, which will be perfect for taking lots of pictures when baby comes. We love how the color is very bright, perfect for catching baby's attention when she finally arrives. :)

Now isn't he the sweetest? To my dear husband, I want you to know that I love you everyday, just because... Just because I do, but I could have an endless list of so many reasons, this blog post might not be enough. Thanks love!

Today's highlights (so far)

1. It's SATURDAY!!! I love weekends because I get to spend time with the husband whose work requires him to be on a night shift!

2. Caramel Banana Walnut Waffles from Pancake House - I've been bugging Richmond (what's new?) to buy me and baby Caramel Banana Walnut waffles since two days ago and he finally gave in (yet again), so baby and I enjoyed our sweet fix for breakfast dessert. :)

3. Steamed siomai for breakfast with toyo and the indispensable chili - I don't think siomai would taste the same if eaten sans the toyo and chili. Well, we've had it that way and we didn't enjoy much, so today marks our first siomai breakfast complete with the toyo and chili since Richmond got us a bottle from the grocery recently. It was really the missing oomph.

So there, those are the highlights of my day so far, and it isn't even 10AM. I'm pretty sure I'll accumulate more. So instead of entertaining the May 21, 2011 Judgment Day crazy rumor/thoughts, I decided that today, Richmond, baby and I will have a blast and have as many highlights of the day as we can.

Any highlights for you already?

* My date settings are mixed up, so yeah, it's really already Saturday despite what the date says. Photo of siomai grabbed from http://www.filipino-foods.com/ and caramel banana walnut waffle photo grabbed from http://www.clickthecity.com/

From Forever 21 to Baby Gap: My version of shifting priorities

As you may have already read in my previous posts, my name is ZEI and I'm a SHOPAHOLIC, but thanks to the Mega 3-day sale, I now know that my shopping repertoire could be altered - it all used to be clothes, shoes, bags and other what-have-yous just for me (and occasionally for Richmond), but now, it seems to be all about our (coming) baby. :) Yup, the winds have blown me from Forever 21 to the realm of Baby Gap, which is just a skip and a hop from each other in Megamall. I bought a couple for our little sweet pea and I'm sure she'll absolutely look adorable in her new wardrobe. I think this will be the story of my so called shopaholic life, my priorities are slowly changing, but I don't feel a tad bit sad, in fact it makes me really happy because baby shopping is a whole new field and Im thrilled to take it on. Here are some photos from yesterday's loot. Also bought a couple cute outfits from SM Department store since I couldn't resist their super cheap items after having shopped at Gap. Haha. :)

Baby's Gap outfits (...so far)

Not to be beaten, cute outfits (i love bloomers on babies) from SM Department store

Now what I really need is additional closet space for baby. Haha. Will probably just take that on in the coming months. For now, I'm just so giddy with all my purchases. My name is ZEI and I'm a SHOPAHOLIC. *Curtsy*