[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! :)  

[Zei the MOM] My mom, my role model

Mom, because of you, I know I have the makings of a great mom. :) I learned from the best and it runs in my blood. :) 

Happy Mother's Day Mom! 

I love you! 

[Zei the MOM] What I learned after 6 months of being a mom

I've been a mom to our darling baby girl Zia for 6 months today and allow me to share with you what I've learned in half a year about being a mom and being a parent. It's nothing profound and not about the hard fast rules - it's quite simple actually. I've learned that you really won't love anyone else, more than you love your child. That's it. Plain and simple, but true. The other stuff I learn by day - but the unconditional love bit is encompassing.

Disclaimer: The statement in bold doesn't in any way diminish the intensity of love for my husband (whom I love with all my heart). It's just how it is when you become a parent (for me, that is).

[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

[Zei the charmed one] Valentine kick-off

Ever since I could remember, I've always liked Valentine's Day. My parents were the kind who made a big deal about it - they would give my brother and I Valentine gifts - my favorite was the Lisa Frank pen I got that had a water and glitter filled heart top. So yes, Valentine's Day for me was and still is a valid occasion.

Kicked off my the Valentine weekend with a lovely movie - Letters to Juliet. It may be a cliche topic but I like how the movie glorifies love that is always hopeful, love that is unchanging and love that endless. Plus being set in rustic Verona and Tuscany added even more charm to it. A fitting prelude to the day of hearts.

And since the husband and I are quite busy with work and Valentine's day falls on a Tuesday, I decided to treat my better half to a 75 minute traditional hilot massage at The Spa in BHS as my advanced Valentine gift. Not quite as eventful as when we were boyfriend and girlfriend, but definitely a welcome treat for the both of us.

Tomorrow is Valentine's day so don't be afraid to show or tell your loved ones how much you love them. It comes once a year, so better seize the day. And don't worry about being called mushy or cheesy, because on the day of hearts, cheesy and mushy are the in things. Happy Valentine's day all! :)

Photo credit: www.amanda-seyfried.us

What I learned after a year of marriage and a month of parenthood

I won't make this long and profound - I just have to say my peace in a brief sentence or two. Rich and I recently celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary and our baby girl also turned a month old the same week. So what did I learn from a year of marriage and a month of parenthood - simple...

Life really gets better and sweeter if you have so much love and you have something/someone to live for...

These two (my husband and baby girl) give my life more meaning everyday. =)

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

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

This week's state of mind

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!

Love you Mom! =)

To the woman who always says things to me like 'Leave it to your Mom' and 'Just look at your mom' ever since I could remember and even now that I'm married; the woman who doubled as our dad as well whenever dad's away and the woman who laughed, shopped, cried, ate, enjoyed, prayed and celebrated with or for me and the only woman I'm willing to lose an argument with, Happy Happy Mother's Day!

I love you Mom!

Life Cycle according to Zei

Today I realized that my mom was right, life is really just a cycle, but an amazing one at that. You're born to loving parents, you grow up, you fall in love, you get married, you have kids. And from the next generation, that cycle repeats. And I guess I just wanted to share that bit today because earlier we went to our first Expo Mom at Rockwell and the whole time I was thinking that before this (around 2 years ago), Rich and I were taking on bridal expos and now here we are, taking the next step and entering the world of parenthood. It was a welcome change, from all the glitz and glamour of weddings to all things cute, sweet and adorable about babies. So yeah, that's it, life is a cycle and I'll make sure our little girl would enjoy every bit of it when she comes.

Elegance and Simplicity fit for royal brides of past and present

Today the world celebrated with Prince William and his bride, Kate Middleton, now Duchess Catherine, for the wedding of the century. As in all weddings, most eyes, if not all are on the bride and her wedding dress of course. The verdict: it was elegant and simple with a royal impact (READ: Absolutely LOVELY). Kudos to Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen! It was sort of a spitting image of Princess Grace Kelly's gown - she was a fashion forward princess bride. Anyway, here are some photos of both gowns - equally beautiful and fitting for a princess.

Looking forward to seeing how the long sleeved lace wedding dress would fare for brides-to-be of the present. Don't you just love weddings? Especially the royal ones. Haha. :)

The gown aside, my favorite part of the ceremony was during their processional - Prince and new wife hand-in-hand, sneaking sweet nothings and both unable to contain their happiness to be each others ever after. Happy weekend to all!

Must have done something right

This post has been long overdue, but since my hormones have made me extra sentimental tonight, it prompted me to do this now. For those who don't know me, allow me to share that I've been married to the love of my life for 199 days today (almost 7 months) and I have been thankful for everyday that we've been married. I really couldn't ask for more in a husband especially now that we're expecting, Richmond has ever since been there for me and our little sweet pea - from always making it his goal to make my day happy, listening to my narrations about my day at work to not minding the embarrassment of having your wife vomit (sorry...) in a very public place. I guess I'm just really lucky to have found the person who loves me ever so dearly. So, to my boyfriend of 7 years, my husband of almost 7 months, the (surely) amazing dad-to-be of our little sweet pea and the love of my life, this one's for you.

The words are actually taken from a song that reminds me of you, God must have spent a little more time on YOU, cheesy, yes, but it's true. I will spend everyday thanking and loving you. Here's a conversation we had that I will forever be proud to tell to our children when they ask for an instance that I felt how much you love me:

(While driving home after my work...)

R: Love, do I take care of you well?

Z: Yes love, you do.

R: Good.

Z: Why?

R: Because that's what I said when I was asked at work about what my talent was.

It will always make my heart melt and smile at the same time. Again, I want you to know that I think our love is really something great. Thank you love. I love you very much. :) Here's a hopeful wish to the heavens that everyone would be as lucky enough in LOVE as I am (to each her own).

Credits go to http://www.tagxedo.com/ where I created this word cloud. :) Try it out and let me know what you think.