Motherhood And Marriage—Dani Barretto On The Things That Have Finally Made Her Life Complete

She's a Kumu streamer herself! Dani, like other celebs, has been exploring other ways to bring happiness to their fans during this time and Kumu definitely tops her list of favorite apps to use. According to her, it's one of the rare pockets of the Internet designed for good vibes, and nothing else, which makes it especially apt in a time when people need big, big doses of positivity in their lives. She's been on the app for a couple of months, and she and her husband, Xavi Panlilio, plus their baby girl, one-year-old Millie, are set to showcase new material very, very soon!

She's freaking out about Millie turning one and joins the leagues of moms out there who pray and wish and hope that their babies don't grow up too fast! Crawling, walking, and being generally "makulit" in so many ways, Millie celebrated her birthday earlier this month in a small birthday party with her doting mom and dad. Dani definitely didn't expect to celebrate her daughter's first year of life amidst a pandemic, but she and Xavi managed to host a beautiful, intimate, and quarantine-friendly celebration in his family's restaurant.

The birthday party wasn't ideal, Dani laughs, but that didn't make it any less special! Growing up, she explains, her mom Marjorie loved throwing her kids the best birthday parties, complete with a unique theme, catering, and long, long guest lists; Dani really wanted to be able to do the same for Millie, but had to follow COVID-safe protocols. She had a maximum of 15 guests (all of whom first needed to test negative!), picked out adorable outfits, then put in place some pretty balloons and a grazing table to spruce up the venue. It's proof that simple doesn't mean dull and lifeless; with the right choice of décor and a sunny disposition, a "simple" birthday party can be beautiful!

Aside from her party, little Millie also had a home-based birthday photo shoot. The areas of their home, like Millie's room, was dressed up by event stylist and florist Teddy Manuel, who did pink carousel-themed and "secret garden" photo vignettes!

Already, Dani is seeing parts of Millie's personality come to the surface. It's hilarious how she's so feisty and honest - just like her mom! She's expressive about what (and who!) she does and doesn't like, the kinds of activities and toys she enjoys, and every day she shows her parents more and more of who she is. It's amazing, Dani says, how as early as now, she's already seeing what kind of woman Millie is likely to grow up to become.

Looking back at her first year of motherhood, Dani glows and says there was nothing in the world that came more naturally to her. She's always wanted to be a mom, first and foremost, and she's head over heels in love with her firstborn. There were no huge adjustments, rough transitions in her life when she moved from being a single woman to a mom of one. In fact, the experience of motherhood has been so precious to her that she's looking forward to having more children - soon! "It's a different kind of feeling," she describes, adding that there's nothing you feel you can't do when you've become a mom.

Dani and Xavi have also just moved into their second home! It was a gift from their parents and they moved in recently after more than a year of waiting for this milestone to come. Her tip for new homeowners? Don't scrimp, because the expenses are investments for a place that's going to be your forever home! What you're spending on are not for temporary, fleeting things. but things that are meant to last. Spend on durable materials, and most importantly, enjoy the process of planning for your new home! (As a bonus, Dani and Xavi are going to release a home tour vlog soon and we'll see how the Barretto-Panilio abode incorporated touches of both of their personal tastes!).

Dani admits that becoming a mom and wife were the best things to happen to her, ever. It improved her relationship with her own mom, made her more compassionate, and opened her heart and mind to doing things she never thought she would enjoy. She has a good laugh about seeing herself "turning into Marjorie;" she's developed a love for entertaining, decorating, cooking, and caring for others, just like her mom who she describes as a domestic goddess. And Dani couldn't be prouder of the transformation!

When it comes to her marriage, Dani is ecstatic about the gift of a loving and supportive husband, and the fact that she can enjoy a relationship where she's not "overpowering" her partner! Describing themselves as "so in sync with life" and herself as ever grateful to have someone like Xavi who knows her ins and outs, Dani is every bit a happily married woman. It's a massive plus that Xavi is a real sweetheart; he remembers important dates, knows exactly how to ease Dani's worries, and make her feel like the most special woman on the planet. (This couple still celebrates their original anniversary date, pre-wedding, too!).

Dani has been handling the pandemic just fine with the exception of one big worry: that Millie is growing up within the confines of her home and missing out on key experiences in childhood. No one knows how long the pandemic will continue to limit our lives, and it gives Dani so much anxiety to imagine Millie not getting to interact with other children, seeing the beach, soaking up nature, getting to travel, and going to "school" in front of an iPad or a computer. "The outside world is the best education you can give to your kid," Dani says, and allowing children to explore the world on their own is critical! The only thing she and Xavi can do now is stretch their creativity as parents and of course, have faith that things will improve sooner than later.

Dani has zero doubts that Xavi and Milie were her life's biggest blessings. Before them, she made bad decisions and generally felt that her life was directionless and without purpose. "When you meet the right person, everything just flows," she says, and for her, she realized this when Xavi's presence in her life allowed her to grow as an individual, and them as a couple, too. "That's when I knew," she smiles. As for Millie, she's Dani's inspiration for striving to become the best version of herself and working her hardest. Together, she definitely feels that Xavi and Millie have "unlocked" the Dani that she was always meant to be!