I Want a Horse

Salvatore has been particularly interested in Benedict lately,  chasing him around and trying to get him to play with him and such.  Tonight, HE was following BENNY around like a lost puppy and was constantly trying to climb up on his back and ride him around.  Poor Benedict is so good about it, he just moves slowly to a different location and hopes that Sal will tire.  NEVER!  Sal was on to him tonight, and everytime Benny sat down, Sal was ready to mount him like a horse.  I could see that Benny was out of ideas, so I reminded Salvatore that Benny "is not a horse."  His reply, "Well, I want a horse then, mama.....a big, black horse."  Sure thing kid! 

My Favorite Pregnancy Game

Yesterday, I bought some more groceries.  Upon grabbing the milk, I was careful to choose one that had a later date, since most on this shelf said the expiration was April 30th.  So, as I glanced to make sure that this milk was gonna last longer than 2 days, I smiled.  The expiration date for this milk is May 15th, Valentina's due date.  I was flooded with memories of my last few weeks of gestation with Salvatore.  Whenever I would buy something with an expiration date, I would wonder in my head which event would happen first-his birth or this milk expiring?  Since he came about 2 weeks early, he did beat the milk!  And now, I am playing this "game" again.  Which will come first this time-Valentina's birth or this milk expiring?  Time will tell.  I would put cold hard cash on Valentina if I could!

Sweet Singing to the Baby

Salvatore helped me put Valentina's swing together.  He read the directions and handed me each piece.  Then he wanted to put a "baby" in the swing, so we got his Christmas teddy bear.  As he started to sing, I started to cry.  I can't wait to have Valentina here with all of us!!!

Baby in a Bag

Once again, he loves to play inside of these bags!!  Brian and I always liked to play inside of cardboard boxes, and Sal does also, but he surely prefers the bags.  More flexible, I'm guessing!!

Baseball Fever

Seems like everyone over here has come down with another serious and contagious case of....BASEBALL FEVER!  It hits us each spring and the only cure is to go and cheer on our Anaheim Angels!!!

Laughter is Contagious

Our original 5 babies in the Richman Mommy Club...(left to right) Molly, Mia, Milan, Taylor, and Salvatore.

  A picture (from July 2008) to remind us all just how far they have come (in most recent birth order-left to right) Mia, Molly, Salvatore, Taylor, and Milan. 

First Busy, Then Sleepy Little Bee

After another trip to CostCo, Salvatore helped me by getting all of the rolls of paper towels out of the package.  I love how he was actually sitting in the bag!  Maybe 10 minutes later, while finishing his snack of Mac, he fell asleep at the table.  It was my loud laughing while fumbling to get my camera that kept waking him up.  Good thing, though, because he may have fallen right out of the chair!  

1-800-GET-THIN

Salvatore thinks that the blonde lady on the billboards and commercials from the 1-800-GET-THIN advertisement is me!!!  She doesn't speak on the commercials, and the billboards  show her just standing on a scale, but he still thinks it is me.  He cheerfully calls out, "Mama!" every time we pass one on the freeway.  This cracks me up!

More Embarrassing Toddler Comments in Public

This morning, we all went to the doctor's office so David could get his yearly physical and  blood test, just to check his cholesterol, thyroid, etc.  While waiting at the Quest Lab, Salvatore noticed the two lab techs walking back and forth.  He started watching them carefully, and when one older female lab tech, with very short hair, left the room, he asked loudly, "Where did HE go, mama?"  I immediately corrected his "he" into a "she" and answered, "She is working and she will be right back."  Not good enough for him.  He challenged my "she" and turned it back into a "he" and asked even louder, "No, where did HE go, mama?"  Now the man sitting next to me was laughing under his breath.  David stepped in and quietly told Sal that the person was a "senora" and Sal said "no, senor!"  Nothing either one of us said was going to change his mind. Oh my goodness.  This must be the beginning of some unusual, public, embarrassing and totally inappropriate comments!!!!!

Pumas and Face Paint

Pumas played against America tonight.  It is the equivalent of an Angels vs. Dodgers game to us.  They tied with zero to zero score, but we were still really in the spirit.  David painted Salvatore's face like a little Puma.

After the game, Sal got a bath.  The face painting kit was on the table and we did not even notice him take it to the floor (though we were sitting at the table) and try to recreate the memory!  He was proud that he had painted his own face, but could not figure out why we were not equally impressed.  

Toddler Talk

Salvatore cracks me up daily!  He is more entertaining to me than the radio or favorite show!  And this "talking" thing is really cool...he says, repeats, mimicks, and creates the most outrageous stories!  While out running errands today, he had me in stitches!

1.  After entering a department store that sells home furniture, he stops walking, looks around, gasps, and says, "Wow, this is a NICE  house, mama!"

2.  While sitting at a red light at the corner of St. Jude Hospital, I said to him, "Look, Salvatore, that is where you were born."  He smiles widely and answers, "Yes, I remember."

Every stage that he has been in has been my favorite, so I look forward to the rest of his special life!!!

I Can't Get No...

Satisfaction!  It's true...none.  Don't get me wrong, I love my awesome family and friends.  But I am talking about the satisfaction you get from stuff that usually "floats your boat", ya know?  Yes, here comes more complaining....all food sounds gross to me, nothing pleases my palate, favorite movies bore me, music just sounds like noise, and dear, reliable chocolate is just ho-hum.  I don't watch any of my favorite shows anymore, not even on my DVR.  Sleep brings me no rest or pleasure, reading is now just a chore, shopping makes me anxious and taking warm baths are something I now speed through.  I can't even stand to be on the computer for more than 10 minutes now. SIGH! I know what I need... I just need to sit and hold my husband, son and baby girl in my arms.  Then I will surely feel better and back to normal.  Just a few more weeks.

Try Again

Salvatore and I took our nightly bath together again this evening.  I had to wash my hair, so I pulled the nozzle down and let him play with it while I washed and conditioned.  I always ask for it back and he willingly hands it over so I can rinse.  Then he said, "Gimme it back, mama."  I reminded him that that is not the correct way to ask for it.  We have really been practicing his manners lately and how to correctly make requests and speak to others.  Usually, he instantly corrects himself and says, "May I please have it, mama?"  Not this time.  He stared at me for a minute, and then (sarcastically) said, "Okay ummmm, HI MAMA, how are you, gimme it back!"  Nice try.  Really.  Nice.  Try.  Again.

Say "Excuse Me"

While sitting at the kitchen table, enjoying an after school snack, I belched.  Just a tiny one and it was under my breath.  I was only eating an apple.  I kept typing away on my computer and finally looked over at Sal, who was staring at me.  "Say ' Excuse Me' mama, o.k?"  Yes sir!