Melt Your Heart

My friend Sara is responsible for these pictures.  Aren't they darling?

Same Age, Same Outfit

A bald Salvatore at 2 1/2 months.

Sweet sister wearing the same outfit on the same pillow at the same age.

Yah!!!

Yah for good health!

Yah for pretty dresses and cute barrettes!

Yah for the best family and friends!

So Fresh and So Clean

He Showed Me

While eating a steak and potato dinner, I decided to force Salvatore to eat his vegetables.  He LOVED them as a baby but has slowly eliminated them from his diet, and I blame myself.  From within my many mommy circles, I hear that this is quite normal, but I don't like it.  And yes, I do "hide" them in other foods, but I can only do that for so long.   So the battle began.  

I put steak, potatoes, peas and corn on his plate.  He smiled and started on the steak and potatoes.  When he finished, he asked for more and I pointed to his veggie pile with my fork because my mouth was full.  I was hoping to not have to say much, just look and point and act as normal as possible.  He stalled for about 10 minutes and then asked for more again.  I needed to speak.  "You will eat these delicious items on your plate and when you finish, you can eat a cupcake."   He protested and started to cry, but I wasn't about to back down.  Everytime he even looked towards me, I would point to the small pile and repeat my instructions.  He finally put a kernel of corn in his mouth.  

Here was my first mistake...I praised him too soon.  Have you ever done this?  The SECOND the words, "Good job honey" left my mouth, the corn left his for the floor.  No problem, there were at least 30 kernels left, plus all of the peas.  I gave him THE LOOK and he tried again.  Spit it right back out.  I was laughing on the inside but determined now to make him finish it all because I knew he could.  Next he tried a pea.  Right back out.  He started putting them in the side of his mouth and tilting his head back as if to swallow them down.  Whatever, I thought, just get to his belly!  Some did.  

Then I noticed that as he put them in with his right hand, he was SECRETLY letting them fall down the right side of his body!!!  OOOOOOHHHHHH this kid is good!  But I am better.  Made him eat with his left hand so I could watch him more closely.  Started counting the corn and peas on the floor....5, 6 corns and 4, 5, 6 peas. OK.  About 15 left on his plate.  Down to the last few bites.  I decided to praise him again since his effort improved a little when he fed himself with his left hand.  10 pieces left...6...now 3.

 "I showed him," I thought to myself.  I looked at my own reflection in the window and smiled.  This is easy...just be the boss.  Be the one in control.  Show him. 

 Ah, but it was HE who showed ME...by puking!  All of the little veggies he had just eaten.  All down the front of his shirt and shorts.  All over his chair.  All over his plate.  And do you know what my first reaction was???  I frantically counted the little kernels and peas to see just how many he actually did digest!!!!  I didn't say a word, but striped him down right there and made him take a bath.  He did not cry, not even whimper...he was happy in the bath and started talking about the cupcake he wanted to eat.  He did not get the cupcake, but I let him have some Jello for consuming  SOME amount of vegetables.  SIGH!!!  

Valentina's Baby Friends

She is lucky, just like her big brother...she already has so many wonderful little friends!

Above is Valentina with Paloma, Stephanie's daughter.  I teach with Stephanie and she is one of the nicest and prettiest girls that you will ever meet.  The girls are one month apart.

Above is a very young Valentina with Zachary, Tracy's son.  Zachary was her date last month at the Angels game.  We were in the teaching credential program together and she is so kind, sweet and good at everything she does!  The kids are 2 months apart.

Above is Valentina and Chloe, the twin daughter of my dear friend Jules.  Her twin baby brother is Dylan, and he was sleeping through the photo shoot.  Chloe gave Valentina the bracelet that she is wearing in this photo, so they match.   I worked with 

Jules at Cedar Creek Inn and she is so genuine and caring in all that she does and thinks and says.  The twins are one month older than Valentina.  Jules is also a twin!

Above is Valentina and Makayla, the daughter of my dear friend Michelle.  Michelle and I also met in the teaching credential program and our lives are very similar.  We understand everything about each other and Michelle always has my back!  Makayla is 8 months old.  

Valentina also has Audrey, Sophie, Isabel, Daniel, Dean and all of her brother's friends too!  This circle of motherhood has created quite a bond with so many people from my past and present.  Looks like a bright future for all!

Dos Meses (Two Months)

My baby girl is 2 months old!  Thank you Auntie Tracy for the sticker to wear on her shirt that shows her age.  Here are her stats:

Weight:  11 lbs. 10 oz.  (75%) 

Height:  22 inches  (50%)

Head:   36 cm  (75%)

If you look closely at the picture, you will see her new earrings!  We took her to the mall yesterday and got her ears pierced.  She  was so alert in the store and the worker marked her ears and I held her in my lap facing out.  On the count of three, it was done.  She cried, I cried, and then the other side was done.  Valentina cried for maybe 3 minutes and then was fine!  She cried harder over her immunizations yesterday at her well baby check-up.  She looks so pretty with her earrings, and in 6 weeks, we can put in her little diamond earrings that her Lolo in Mexico made just for her!

Laugh

After nursing Valentina, I burped her and laid her on my bed.  She was staring up in total fascination at our ceiling fan and I laid down next to her and started watching a movie.  Although it was 95 degrees in our bedroom (we have no A.C.), I was so happy to just be next to her and feeling her kick her feet around and coo at the fan.    I was laughing hysterically at this movie when I heard her laugh.  I quickly turned my head to her and there she was, laughing.  So I laughed.  And she stared at me and laughed.  I laughed again.  She returned the laugh while staring back at me.  She has been smiling for weeks now and she can turn her head to watch you and follow your voice.  And now she laughs.  It was thrilling for me to share this moment with her...and I can't wait for the future when we really laugh together at movies and shows and jokes and whatever else tickles us.   

Pretty in Pink

Valentina in her pink swing.

Looking like a big girl.

Barrettes

We tried a black barrette!

And a red barrette!

I had to Google the word because I didn't know how to spell it!  

Me and My Girl

She found her lovely hands.

Big smiles.

Silly grins.

Salvatore was our photographer again.  

Love hanging out with my girl!

Cartoons in the Morning

10 Years

10 years ago, David and I kissed at Jeffrey's party.  10 years ago, we both decided to never leave each other's side, though we didn't say it aloud until July 26th. This August 18th, we will be married for 3 years.  But we have been in love for 10.  I love you, David!

Sweet Dreams

I love the way she looks when she sleeps.

This is how I placed her while I cut her little nails.  I love all of her rolls, her little diaper butt, and her cute feet.

Happy Meals=Happy Faces

Valentina slightly smiling after a LONG morning nap.

Baby Daniel smiling with his momma, Ana.

Daniel's sister, Mia, and Salvatore running through the playplace at McDonalds.

Salvatore, Taylor, and Molly playing together after enjoying Happy Meals.  So nice to have nice friends.  So nice to spend time together over the summer.

What?!?!?!?

Salvatore and I were each enjoying a bowl of Cookie Crisp cereal (the kind that look like mini chocolate chip cookies).  Yes, I still eat like a kid.  We were both almost done when I got up to go check on Valentina.  When I came back to the table and sat down, he was staring into his bowl and looking like he was gonna cry.  I asked him what was wrong...

Salvatore:  I can't finish my cereal, mommy.

Me:  Why not?  Are you full?

Salvatore:  No....(he is stirring and stirring his milk and cereal)

Me:  Why not?

Salvatore:  Because someone pooped in it, mommy.

Me: WHAT????

Salvatore:  Someone POOPED in my cereal, mommy.  Look!  I can't finish it when someone poops in it.  (He pushes the bowl away in despair).

I look in his bowl and some of the little chocolate chips from the cereal are floating around in his bowl.  He thought it was poop!  Hilarious...and so so gross! 

Different but the Same

Here is Mr. Salvatore at 4 1/2 weeks old.  

Here is Ms. Valentina at 6 1/2 weeks old.

Look What I Can Do

I can shoot baskets.

I can kick goals with my friend Jack.

I can hang on the monkey bars.

I can run soccer drills with my daddy and follow him all around the park.

Little Helper

Valentina has this little Glo-worm and Salvatore loves to play with it.  He really loves to pretend that it is his baby and will mimic what I do for Valentina.

This is how he "burps" his baby.  What a little helper he is!

Wonderful Week

My mom, Salvatore and Valentina's Sita (grandma in Arabic), and her father, Grandpa Bobby.

Salvatore with both of his Sitas.

Four generations here.

The kids Sita and my Sita.

Suzanne, momma, and Salvatore at mom's birthday celebration.  

Familia Licona