Merry Christmas

Season's Greetings
From our home to yours, wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Wordless Wednesday

Before
After

Fabiola

Christmas Plans

Today, it starts my 12 days vacation. Really, I thought this day would never arrive. I've been working really hard in so many projects, that some days, I don't know how I keep my sanity.
But from today on, I will rest and relax ; )

We are going to spend Christmas with my family. We are leaving tomorrow morning, and I am not sure when we will be back (Dec 28th or 29th).
I am really looking forward to spend some quality time with my parents, siblings and with Pau**lo too, since he is been traveling way too much this past year.
We will be having our traditional Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve at my parents house.
In Braz**il, all the celebrations start on Dec. 24th and it keeps going on the 25th, which means: a HUGE dinner on 24th (like the American Thanksgiving dinner) and a HUGE lunch on 25th.
The kids get their presents on Christmas Eve.
Since, this year, my niece is 3 years old, she is really waiting for Santa and all the gifts he might bring her.
My sister want to hire a Santa to stop by my parents house (remember, we are a tropical country with no chimney). But my niece told my mom that she wants Santa to come, but she doesn't want to meet him, because she was afraid of him. So, no Santa at my parent's house this year.

So, I am off to finish my trip preparation,

Merry Christmas,

Fabiola

The low heels shoes quest

Well, first of all, I got almost all things on my list done. The only two things missing are: packing (which can be done until Tuesday) and I need to finish wrap the gifts, but I ran out of wrapping paper. So I will have to buy more tomorrow on my lunch break.

But, let’s talk about shoes. As I said, I was on the market for some low heels sandals. Since I am a short person, I am almost on some 3 inches heels (at least). But, ever since I got pregnant and the weather has become unbearably hot, all my high heels sandals are really hurting my feet.

Yesterday, I went on a quest to find cute and low heels sandals. Seriously, I’ve been to at least 8 stores, until I found those three pairs. They were not the cutest or the cheapest, but at least they were comfortable.

I hope you are all enjoying the madness before Christmas.

Fabiola

Weekend Schedule

Why we have so many things to get done before the holidays?

Let’s take a look at my schedule this Saturday:

1. Go to the beauty saloon

2. Go to the mall to: buy more wrapping paper, buy a pair of low heels black sandals, pick up a few clothes that were there for some alterations;

3. Go to the grocery stores;

4. Drop off some dry cleaners;

5. Wrap the gifts;

6. Think about some Virtual Christmas Card, since my mind was elsewhere and I didn’t send real Christmas Cards this year;

7. Go to the Italian store to buy the ante pasti to take to my parent’s for Christmas Eve.

And for Sunday:

1. Church;

2. Lunch at Pau**lo’s aunt house;

3. Pack to our trip.

Happy Weekend,

Fabiola

The reason for my silence

I know I’ve been a really bad blogger as well as a blog friend. But, between the happiness about my pregnancy, a huge amount of work and some family problems. I feel I have too much on my plate right now.

This past week, we (my side of the family) saw a light on the end of the tunnel and it wasn’t a train coming in our direction. If you know what I mean….

Right after we found out I was pregnant, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. So between now and then, there were countless trips to the doctor, biopsies labs and more doctors.

Finally, this past Wednesday, she went to a breast cancer specialist. He went through all her tests and lab results. He said it is a carcinoma. She has a few micro lumps on her left breast. It is really in the beginning. She will need surgery and a reconstruction. As for what he saw on her tests, she won’t need chemotherapy or radiation . He said he will only be sure, when he does the surgery, but as for now, she must enjoy the holidays and get ready for a “medium size” surgery in January.

I promise I will a better blogger from now on ; )

Happy Weekend,

Fabiola

13 weeks

Well, today I complete 13 weeks of my pregnancy. I am really getting my energy back, but I still can't eat any thing sweet, drink coffee and smell any kind of chicken.
How I am doing?

I am doing great, I haven't been sick once, I haven't have any weird cravings and I haven't gain any weight (I actually lost 3,5 lbs due to the non sugary things). I still wearing most of my clothes, except one of my working pants and a few fitted shirts.

Since, I don't know when my belly will start to grow, I am playing on the safe side. Last weekend, I bought a dress and a blouse for pregnant woman, so I won't be without more fancy clothes during the holiday season : )

Happy Thursday,

Fabiola

Christmas Charity

Like most of cultures, we do have a lot of charity programs over the year, but at this time most of the companies do their especial programs, like adopt a child this holiday season.

My company is sponsoring a non-profit organization which promotes kids education, so they asked us to donate money for children books or children books in good condition if you have any (Paulo's book were already donate by MIL years ago, and my books are at my parents house), so I donate some money to the program.

At Pau**lo's company, they chose an orphanage and asked for the employees to pick one kid and give the gift.

Pau**lo chose a 14 year old boy. The kit were composed by: a pair of shoes, a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and a toy , on this case a soccer ball. I added some underwear and some hygiene items as well.

The kit

The ball - it is a match ball replica of the 2010 South Africa World Cup.

We really hope he likes it.

Merry Christmas,

Fabiola

Brazilian Soccer Champion!!

After 17 years, Fl@mengo won the National Soccer Championship.
The 2009 season has been one of the most exciting seasons of the last few decades.
The championship was decided on the last 5 minutes of the last game of the season. It was remarkable.

Congratulations my friends Fl@menguistas, you deserve this title more than any other team.
I can just imagine the parties and fireworks in Rio, poor Gabriela and BG.



Fabiola