A Day for My Dad.

"Any man can be a father; it takes someone special to be a dad."

This photograph was taken exactly two years ago today.  In one photo are the three most important men in my life: my husband, my brother, and my dad.  The dictionary holds thousands upon thousands of words, yet, not one can describe the love I have for each one of them.  

Today is more than just Father's Day.  Today is my dad's birthday.  Happy Birthday, daddy!  My world would not have been the same without you in it.  You've taught me to be the person that I am today.  Work hard and be nice to people; it has always been your motto. It is what I strive to do each and every single day.  I love you for that.

We had a simple day.  A typical Brazilian barbecue and a soccer match; it couldn't have been any better. It's in the little things that you realize how much you already have.  I love my dad and sometimes I wish there was more that I could do to show him.  What he has done for me, all of the things he has given up, well, there is no way I could ever truly show my gratitude.

Sure, he has his flaws.  Don't we all?  An imperfect man whose love I never doubted.  An example of always, always putting his children first.  If you ask me, I think that is what being a dad is all about.  

I love him, period.

xx

Five on Friday!

Happy, happy, I could probably write happy another ten times (But, I won't) Friday!  This week zoomed by; I'm sure it had a little something to do with the fact that I was off on Wednesday.  Who thinks that a mid-week break is absolutely necessary?  I do! I do!  Imagine how much more productive and content our world would be if once a month we were given Wednesdays off.  Well, let's get on with the show.  Five on Friday, here we go.

-One-

This Sunday is my daddy's birthday.  It is also father's day.  Talk about a double whammy!  Don't worry he is much happier than the picture portrays, I promise.  He was just going through a "no smiling" for photographs phase.  Happy Birthday, daddy, may we celebrate this incredibly special day for many, many more years.  I know I am your favorite eldest child.

-Two-

Get in my belly!  These cookie chips are an explosion of delicious.  Okay, so, when I said I didn't have any cravings during this pregnancy, I may have lied.  Chocolate chip cookies are my jam.  These all natural, no preservatives, no GMOS little circle of goodness is the best thing since sliced bread.  They have various other flavors, yet, I can't get past buying anything but these.  Will these be a no after pregnancy?  

-Three-

I can't decide which I like more, the lip glosses or the glass star.  They go perfectly together.  Can I just decorate my entire bathroom with glass containers?  Felipe would probably disagree, however, glass containers make the most fabulous storage.  Have any of you tried the Buxom full-bodied lip gloss?  They were gifted to me, however, I've been weary of using them.  They plump your lips which makes me nervous of wearing during this stage of my life.  Pregnant woman paranoia, ya know?  I can't wait to try them.

-Four-

It still surprises me that Florida is called "The Sunshine State".  For the past week it has rained every.single.day.  The other day I made this super purchase at Target.  What I really wanted was a rain coat.  However, rain jacket will have to do.  My husband couldn't believe I'd actually wear it out in public, but, you bet your bottom I did.  It was especially helpful getting my groceries into the car.  Have you tried putting groceries away holding an umbrella?  Have you?  Well, add a basketball belly and it is close to impossible.  Plus, it makes me look pretty darn cute.  Wouldn't you say?  Actually, don't answer that.

-Five-

It may just be another summer for you.  However, for me it is the World Cup 2014.  I have been waiting for this day for the last four years.  Originally, I had wanted to be in Brasil for this event, yet, Baby O kind of changed my plans a smidge   This is the only time I will become a sports fanatic.  This is the only time you will catch me watching any sporting event and actually having anxiety over its outcome.  This is the only time where soccer will consume my free-time day-after-day.  Yesterday, when Brasil played Croatia I actually thought I'd go into labor.  Almost.  Here is to Brasil, because dudes, we got this.

Happy Weekend!

xx

Full-term, baby!

Yesterday was a big day for my pregnant self.  As of yesterday I have officially made it to my 37th week of pregnancy.  I think that makes me full-term, right?  Oh, heck yes!  It is an incredible feeling to know that soon, so-very-soon I will be holding my sweet little love in my arms.  U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E!

These last 37 weeks have been a whirlwind of different emotions.  At this point I am just very ready to be a momma.  Her due date is July 1st, however, I am starting to think that maybe, just maybe, she will make her debut a little sooner.  I certainly hope so.  Well, not too soon, but, maybe like 39 weeks soon?

And, let me tell you about the exciting night I had.  At around four in the morning I woke up screaming in pain.  Apparently, a charley horse in your leg is no joke.  My poor husband probably thought I was in labor, or dying, the poor man was terrified.  Goodness, that was an intense three minutes.  Felipe massaged my left calf and alleviated some of the pain.  However, this morning when I hopped out of bed I realized I could not walk.  All the extra weight on my sore leg was, well, no bueno.  Which led me to do something I really didn't want to do; I called out of work.  Okay, before you judge me, let me just tell you that I spent the first 14 weeks of my pregnancy experiencing morning sickness ALL day and ALL night; I didn't call out once.  NOT-EVEN-ONCE.  So, now I am sitting on the couch with my legs propped, hoping that the soreness will go away.

Oh, and let's stop and talk about these adorable and delicious cupcakes, shall we?  Whose friend is absolutely amazing?  Mine is!  My sweet Teress made funfetti cupcakes (I've been wanting to eat these for the longest time) to celebrate Baby O making it to full-term.  I had like four.  Don't judge, folks.  Pretty soon the only dessert I'll be having is fruit-infused water; oh, the joy!

Have a wonderful Wednesday, loves!

xx

And, because I almost peed my pregnant self watching this.

Well, hello there!

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Well, well, well, whatever it was that brought you over to my little space I am glad.  Glad you could be here and hope you stay.  So, just in case you are new around these parts I feel like a quick introduction is needed.  

My name is Renata and that handsome fella with that classy suit is my husband Felipe.  Come this November we will have been married for five years.  This past April we have been together for ten years.  And, in a few short weeks we will be welcoming a little lady into our lives.  I.CANNOT.WAIT!  

(We don't always look this fancy)

(We usually look a little something like this, mind you this is circa 2009)

This little fur ball below is our fur baby Ziggy Marley.  Ziggy Marley is most famously known as Mr. Ziggles.  If you are wondering, this cute-button nosed fluff is a maltese.  In July Mr. Ziggles will be seven years old.  Yet, he is still a puppy at heart; he behaves like one too.  I am anxious to see how Mr. Ziggles is going to react towards little baby O.  If there is one thing to note is that he does NOT like to share, anything, or anyone.  And, he thinks he runs the house; Napoleon complex I tell ya.

Our little family resides in sunny, humid, South Florida.  That saying, "We live where you vacation", immediately comes to mind.  Yet, being nine months pregnant in the Florida summer is brutal.  I glisten (Because I don't sweat, duh) walking from the parking lot to my office building; it's a beautiful site, truly.

And, because no introduction is complete without random fun facts, here are five things you probably didn't know about me.  One, two, three, and...

-One-

I don't have a middle name.  My father thought that two names for one person was more than enough.  First and last, done and done.  Truth-be-told, I have always wanted a middle name.  Now that I am married my maiden name is my middle name.  It really isn't the same.  It is, what it is.  Which is why I was uber excited to have a baby.  Little Baby O has a first, middle, and last.  You will know soon enough =)

-Two-  

When it comes to my writing I am always a nervous wreck.  The perfectionist in me writes, deletes, and rewrites sentences a million times.  Something that would take me five minutes to write usually takes about fifteen.  I then stare at it for another five just in case; I mean, ya never know.

-Three-

If there is one thing I can never say no to is ice cream.  Though don't offer me butter pecan or pistachio. Yuck, yuck, yuck!  Take me to Coldstone's creamery and let me have some cake batter, Oreos, and peanut butter (The real kind, not the ice cream).

-Four-

When I would stay home from school in high school I would watch re-runs of "A Baby Story".  I could never get enough of those newborn baby faces.  I'd catch myself wondering  when I would become a mother and welcome my own child into the world.  Now that I am so close to doing so, I must admit, I have never felt such contradictory emotions in my life.  I am both uber excited (I use the word uber, a lot, in real life too) and completely terrified.  Maybe it is all the hormones?

-Five-

I am a hair product hoarder.  I can't even tell you how many different hair products are in my bathroom right now.  At least 10, at least.  My favorites are those that leave your hair looking like you just left an amazing day at the beach and those that leave your hair sleek and chic.  Yet another contradiction.  That is the thing with me, I don't prefer one end of the spectrum over the other, I love them both equally.

Till next time!  Oh, and be sure to follow me on instagram: RBarbie.

xx

Five on Friday!

Friday, I have been waiting for you since Monday.  Actually, if I am being honest, I have been waiting for you since last Friday.  Yesterday was this handsome fella's birthday.  Originally I had planned to do this super-mushy-gushy post on his actual birthday.  Clearly, that never happened; I'm going to blame it on pregnancy exhaustion.  Plus, now I can incorporate "Five on Friday" and a post all about my husband into one.  I'd say I am winning, wouldn't you?

Here goes five things that you don't know about my husband; hopefully he doesn't read this.

-One-

My husband is all about music.  He can't play an instrument and he couldn't sing if his life depended on it.  However, the boy knows how to find good music.  When said music is found he listens to the album over and over and over again.  Let me rephrase that, we listen to the album over and over and over again.  For example, ever since Cold Play's new album "Ghost Stories" came out we have been listening to it every.single.day.  No exaggeration.  Inside the house, on the patio, and in the car.  He listens to the album until he gets sick of it, or, until the next great album comes out, whichever one comes first.

-Two-

He is the first and only guy I have ever met that does not like sports.  Basketball?  Nope.  Football?  Nope.  Soccer?  Nope.  You name the sport and he doesn't like it.  Unless you'd call having a beer in the backyard a sport.  This does not bother me one bit.  I am quite content with having him all to myself.  Actually, I think I hit the husband jackpot.

-Three-

I don't think there is anyone out there with better mouth hygiene than he.  It doesn't matter what time we get home from an outing, be it 11:00 PM or 3:00 AM he won't go to bed without flossing.  His dedication to the care of his teeth is impressive.  I mean, who do you know flosses their teeth after a few drinks?  Well, now you know one person: My husband.

-Four-

The inside of his car is spotless.  If you were to step inside you'd think he had just left the dealership parking lot, for.the.first.time.  Actually, the inside AND the outside are always clean.  If we are going out to dinner he HAS to get his car washed.  I tell him it is a sickness and that when baby O comes all that is going to change.  Hmm, should I tell him about the amount of cheerios he will find in his backseat?  Nah, let him figure that one out for himself.

-Five-

When I tell you who his celebrity crush is, you are going to think I am lying.  Unlike many young men his age who would name the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Amber Heard his choice is completely unorthodox. If you were to ask who his celebrity crush is he'd immediately respond with, "Meryl Streep, of course."  And no, I am not kidding.  The boy loves his Meryl.  He will proceed by saying, "Have you seen The Bridges of Madison County?"  It is just the cutest thing ever.  I mean, Meryl, really.  Ahh, how I love that man.

There you have it folks, five things you did not know about my husband.  And, babe, if you are reading this, happy birthday, again.  I can't stress how much I love you.

xx

And, of course I am linking up with Carolina Charm and A. Liz Adventures.  

Have you heard about "The Walking Dead"?

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I'll be the first to admit, I have never, ever, ever enjoyed a zombie movie.  Ever.  Actually, I lied.  There was one zombie movie I did enjoy.  Brace yourself.  Have you ever watched "My Boyfriend's Back"?  Well, it's about a boy who dies trying to win over the heart of the prettiest girl in school.  And, well, he comes back from the dead, cue zombie-mode.  Now, other than that, there is not one single thing about zombies that holds my attention.    Until Memorial Day weekend.

Netflix, where have you been all my life?  I'm really not sure how we have gone this long without that magical little on-demand internet streaming media (That's what it's called, I googled).  So, there we were exploring Netflix when "The Walking Dead" popped up.  At first I was like, "No way!".  Felipe ignored my disdain and put it on anyway.  He does that sometimes.  In this case I am so very glad he did. I didn't quite pay attention to the first episode since I was in the middle of folding Baby O's clothes.  However, come episode two and BAM!  I am hooked.  Who knew a drama about the zombie apocalypse is actually my thing.  

You know when you promise yourself you are only going to have one spoonful of ice cream, yet, before you know it you've eaten the entire carton?  Yeah, that is exactly what happened.  Felipe and I watched episode after episode after episode of "The Walking Dead" until we passed out.  Now, we are on the last episode of season three and all I can think of is, "WHY ISN'T SEASON FOUR ON NETFLIX?"  Why, why, why?  Honestly, I am really bummed.  We've been putting off watching the last episode of season three because we have no idea when we will be able to watch season four (And no, I do not want any spoilers, thank you!).  Maybe it is the pregnancy hormones or maybe I really do love zombies, I have no idea, but I really can't be without Office Friendly.

This just goes to show that you should always give something a chance before tossing it to the side.  Basically, what I am saying is that if you haven't watched "The Walking Dead" you should.  Give those little flesh-eating zombies a chance.  No one is asking you to join in on the zombie parade, I still wouldn't do that.  However, this zombie soap-opera is the one for me.  Now let me go and watch the last episode.  Let me watch and cry that my next hit will be, well, who knows when.

xx

A Shower of Sweetness.

"Keep Calm and Be a Princess"

Hello and happy Monday!  Let me begin by saying that, "Whoa Momma!", I am exhausted.  All this extra weight is finally catching up to me, for real.  Four more weeks!  Four more weeks!  Maybe I should stop eating those cookie chips; there is no need for any more extra weight.  Now to the important stuff:  Baby O's Baby Shower!

On May 17th Baby O was showered with lots of love, lots of sweets, and lots of gifts.  The best trio I can think of, wouldn't you agree?  My shower was truly suited for a princess.  I could not have dreamed of a more perfect day.  The sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky.  I celebrated the the expected arrival of Baby O amongst friends and loved ones. 

The adorable cupcakes and delicious chocolate chip cookies were from Shea's Bakery in Delray Beach, Fl.  If there is one thing I am yet to get sick of during this pregnancy, well, it is chocolate chip cookies.  If allowed I'd probably eat 15 cookies a day.  No.  Joke.  Okay, okay, maybe I could eat 20.  The delicious lunch was provided by Stallone's in Boca Raton, Fl.  You should most definitely check them out!

The shower favors were Bath and Body Works' hand sanitizers, wrapped in gold tulle, tied with a crochet flower made especially for me by my momma.  I'm telling you, she is awesome.  It is hard for me to sit back and allow others to do things for me, however, I am glad I did.  This day will forever be cherished.  A day spent loving on the growing baby girl inside my belly?  Well, I'd do it a million times over.

Baby O, we are all so very excited to meet you! 

xx