Mom on a Mission

Salma says when she first found out she was pregnant she initially didn't care about the sex of her baby and was more worried about how she'd do as a mother. "Then I remembered how hard it is to be a woman," she says. "And I chickened out, and I said, 'Oh, my God, I hope I get a boy.' Because I just think they have it easier."

At first, a doctor told Salma she was going to have a boy. Later, she learned she was actually going to have a girl. Salma says she then realized that she'd wanted a girl all along. "I remember when they told me it was a boy I was a little disappointed. So I think I really wanted a girl or I knew it was a girl. And then when she was born, I was so happy," Salma says. "Having a girl is the best."

Salma says she picked the name "Valentina" for her daughter because it means "courageous one" in Spanish. "Then, one night, I got really nervous that she was going to be like a revolutionary," Salma says. "And I said, 'I better compensate with another name that's a little softer.' So I named her 'Paloma,' which means 'dove' in Spanish. She's a 'courageous dove.'"

Does Salma spoil Valentina Paloma? "She is so spoiled," Salma says. "And I will not apologize for it."