Rocco Report: Twinning with My Little Man- And Those Oh So Awesome Parenting Fails

A piece of advice for all you bloggers/writers out there: It's probably not a good idea to plan your writing after going to a 'Meatopia' event and gorging on an inhumane amount of meat. By the time I got home and opened the computer, I literally fell asleep mid-typing. So here I am, winding down after celebrating Maya's 4th birthday party, and determined to get this blog post up while I watch the Oscars! It's gonna happen. 

This is such a very special post because Rocco and I got to wear some really fashionable swimwear, courtesy of Petit Limoi, a fun-loving children's line that exudes spontaneity, uniqueness, and a flavor for adventure (www.petitlimoi.com). And did I mention that they lend themselves to some really cool 'twinning' opportunities?! Usually I'm not a fan of matching with spouses or with kids, but after seeing the Petit Limoi's suits, I'm a new convert! I The prints are mature but still fresh in color, and I definitely don't mind coordinating after seeing their cute styles! 

Take a look for yourself with these gorgeous pictures from photographer, Jenise Subervi (www.photosbyjenise.com), who I had the pleasure of meeting during one of my on-air segments. Her son made the yummiest model during a Halloween segment I hosted! Jenise specializes in family, and lifestyle portraits and she did such a wonderful job capturing such candid moments of Rocco and I at Matheson Hammock. 

Can you spy the most chicest towel?! I am currently obsessed with this round towel from Vagabond Beach (www.vagabondbeach.com), the perfect accessory for the free spirit in all of us! Inspiration for these one-of-a-kind towels comes from all over the world, specifically from the beauty of nature and the wonders of travel. And 10% of every purchase, goes to a charity whose mission is to support good causes that are all for the betterment of the human race. This towel has become my go-to accessory when I head to the beach. It's great if you have kids because it's big and has ample space for toys and laying out without feeling crowded.  

I love the coral and grey print on the swimsuits and especially love that this bikini gives my lady friends an extra boost! Rocco's shorts have a cozy fit and a comfortable elastic that grows with baby. Doesn't he look dapper?! The suits also come in different shades of blue (sweetly called the Raspberry and the Coconut). We are wearing the 'pomegranate' model and it's delightful! Daddies can also get into the fun and match with their little girls or little boys. Little girls have the option of donning a two piece or a one piece- both adorable! And with summer just around the corner, it's time to stock up on this season's trends! The suits are available on the brand's site. 

It's been a little bit since I've done a Rocco Report and I'm so excited to bring this one to the table. We're talking Parenting Fails. We're all perfect parents until we actually become parents. We all say, "Oh, I'll never let my kid watch 10 hours of TV.." or "My kids will never eat Happy Meals," or "I'll never feed my kid sugar." And then- Bam! Your kid knows every episode of Disney Jr, and will watch for 10 hours while they say feast on their happy meals and M&Ms. As for you, you survived another day and had to eat your words! 

And you know we all have those 'OMG' moments- those epic parenting fails that smack us back into that humble reality and remind us that parents aren't really that perfect to begin with. Your kid pulls an epic tantrum at a store and all you want to do is leave him there, or they made inappropriate comments to their teacher that made you want to enter the Witness Protection Program. We make mistakes. We fail- whether big or small. And at the end of it all, we laugh and we cry and realize that parenting is hard work. 

I got a good 'Parenting Fail' to share, one that I can laugh about now. It's a doozy. I had just moved back to Miami from New York, I was maybe here three weeks, and I was new to this whole driving thing again. We had gotten one of these techy cars that locks on its on when the doors closed and that started with a touch of a button. Basically I was overwhelmed with all these advances and still trying to figure out the car. So one afternoon, I take Maya with me to a vet appointment, I'm heading back into the car, and it's an overcast day, and I'm trying to get everyone in the car. Maya is still not a fan of the car seat at this point so to distract her and keep her quiet, I give her my keys. Big mistake-basically a rookie mistake. I had put my purse and my phone in the front seat and only realized this when I shut the door. And then I heard it- click. The car did one of its annoying techy things and locked all the doors. WTF. Here I am, no phone, no keys, no purse, and a one and a half year old locked inside. Ok, stay calm, deep breaths. All I have to do, is show that nothing is wrong and teach my kid how to double-click the unlock button. Here I am, in the middle of a parking lot at 10 in the morning, screaming through the window with an exaggerated smile, "Maya, can you press the button for mommy please?" She would giggle and then keep clicking the locked button. This was going nowhere fast. I started to internally panic. I needed to get this kid out. I'm just frantically looking around for anyone so I could use their phone. After what felt like hours, but was probably five minutes, I see one of the nurses coming out of the office and I blurt out, "Can I borrow your phone? I accidentally locked my baby in the car!" I called 911 and they were sending help. The worst part was waiting. 

At this point, a small crowd had gathered around my car. Maya was unfazed because I just kept smiling and making silly faces. The keys were on the car floor and my heart was coming out of my chest. Where was the police?! I called 911 to follow up. The minutes dragged. The seconds felt like days. I contemplated breaking the window, only we didn't have anything to break the window with. Then a few seconds later, a firetruck rolls up, sirens blaring, and two police cards trailing it. A firetruck?! My parenting star just dimmed. What kind of parent would leave their kid in the car?! I started to beat myself up. The firemen and the policemen asked me how it happened, and I was honest. I told them, I wasn't used to driving these fancy James Bond type cars that start by themselves or lock by themselves, I gave my kid the keys to play with, which by then I had realized how utterly stupid that was, and here I was! The cop's response, "What are you, from NY or something, you don't drive?" I yelled, "Yes! Exactly! I just moved from the city and I've only been driving for like two weeks." Turns out, the cop was originally from the Bronx and a sweetheart. He tried to cheer me up, but also told me that giving keys to a kid is never a good idea. I think he felt sorry for me. Ha! And thanks to the wonderful firemen, they were able to get into my car, and get Maya out without having to break a window. Seeing all these strange faces got her a little upset, but once she was in my arms, she was back to her regular self. As for me, I read the car's manual and changed all the settings. No more locked doors for this family! 

And now, on to my favorite part! Fellow parents share some of their parenting fails! Let's join together and laugh at our parenting awesomeness or lack thereof. 

Aileen: My toddler is terrified of the dark because he suffers from nightmares so I borrow a book from his teacher about a little critter who dreams that he drinks a potion and grows fangs and wings. Little critter then goes off to do crazy things like getting a pet gorilla. Story ends by him realizing that it was all just a dream and that dreams are not real. He had actually been safely sleeping in his mom's arms. My poor baby misses the point of the story and now every night spends 20 minutes asking if he will turn into something while he sleeps, if he will wake up to a tiger in his room, etc. Bedtime got worse and real quick.

Jennifer: Giving my kid gum on the way to school because she forgot to brush her teeth and then her getting to school and telling the teacher she didn't have to brush her teeth because her mom would just give her gum because she's always in a hurry.

Kris: My husband curses- a lot. Especially when he drives. And he listens to a lot of explicit rap music. Our toddler is always in the car with him. Sometimes he forgets not to curse, so when she's in the car and he honks the horn, she'll blurt out, "Fucking bitch!" It's mortifying.

Victoria: We lost our three year old in Lincoln Road and we about had a heart attack. It's true what they say, you can't take your eyes of your kids not even for a second. The kids were playing next to us while we were eating and the next thing we know, the two kids were nowhere to be found. We were like crazy people screaming their name and looking for them. It was a few minutes that felt like eternity. The police helped us and they were so efficient. They found them both on one of the side streets riding their scooters. I cried for 30 minutes compulsively after we found them. My little one started crying when he saw me. That was my big parenting fail.

Mayte: I threw my toddler out of the house when she was three years old. I literally packed her a bag and put her outside and closed the door. Not sure if that was a good idea, but I did it.

Melissa: I went to drop off my daughter at school, and had my little boy with me. I got in my car and drove off, and my daughter's teacher came running after me and said, "are you missing something?" Sad part is I really had to think about it.

Monica: My oldest son kept answering back and I had just about enough. I stopped the car in Viscaya and told him to get off with his backpack and walk home. His sister was freaking out and crying in the backseat so I let him back in.

Rebecca- I know that I'm not the only parent to have done this, but my kid was running her mouth and being disrespectful so I got a bar of soap and literally washed her mouth with soap. #assholeparent

Lisa- The joys of vacation, lots of family time together and the opportunity for all ….. to co-sleep once again.  What damage can a week of some fun in the sun do? Let’s just say four months later, we are still sleeping together after we had made great progress prior to going on vacation.  Every night we make the “back to his own bed promise,” and every morning we all wake up together.  On the occasion we have put our little bed hog back in his bed, but who can resist that 3 a.m. cry for Mama?  Depending on the day of the week, I kick myself for being back in this predicament or just tell myself we are still on vacation.

Jessie: My daughter had a bag of Nerds. A huge bag. I mean, at least five pounds of Nerds in a bag and she wanted to put water in it so they can swim like fish. After 1000 times of telling her no, she didn't listen so I grabbed the bag and tossed out the bag on the palmetto during 5pm traffic. Crazy, but I had had enough. 

On Us: 

Suits: Petit Limoi
Towel: Vagabond Beach

In Style, 

Rocco's Mom

Miami Style Map: Pinks and Blues on Espanola Way

Squeezers! I'm back from my whirlwind adventures in La Gran Manzana and had the most wonderful time covering fashion shows, eating my way through Manhattan, and catching up with friends. It didn't even matter that I was frozen most of the time. My five day 'momcation' was everything I wanted-and needed- to recharge my batteries. Now I'm back and excited to post this fun Alkas Couture (@alkascouture) denim little number for you guys! It's my take on a 'flirty señorita' exploring the charming streets of Española Way in Miami Beach.

I was witness to some pretty amazing photo magic a couple of weeks ago, when I had the pleasure of shooting with mega-talented lensmen, Gabe Sanchez of Gabe Media (http://www.gabe-media.com). Gabe is swift, precise, and has a meticulous eye for capturing minuscule details and blasting their beauty on a magnified landscape, making each image look like fashion postcard. I was struck with how decisive he was with his shots. To his subjects, his direction may come across as rushed or fast-paced, but in reality, you are witnessing the technique of a skilled and blindfolded artist. 

These photos speak for themselves! 

When Gabe first suggested Española Way, I have to admit, I was hesitant. The first thing that came to mind was, 'seems like a really touristy place,' even though the architecture is pretty unique. Leave it to Gabe though, to find this beautiful pink and blue Spanish-styled structure along the streets that was basically meant for this dress! The cotton candy hues-from the walls to the patterned tiles- complimented the dusty blue coloring of the ruffled denim dress. We're seeing a ton of ruffles for spring and coincidentally, those ruffles will be transitioning to next fall as well! They were all over the runway! I love the hint of femininity and youthfulness that ruffles add to a look because it gives off an energetic and fresh vibe when worn. 

And as you can see, one of my favorite accessories made a special appearance- Rocco Buccio! Or as I like to call him, Mommy's Achilles Heel! The moment this kid bats those long, gorgeous lashes at me, I'm done. When I was pregnant with him, I had so many moms tell me how 'boys belong to their mommas,' or 'he will have you wrapped around his finger,' and I thought, 'yeah right!' Well, I drank the baby boy kool-aid because I'm a sucker for anything he does. I love that by default, he comes along with me to anything and everything I do- from press tastings to blog shoots- and makes the occasional appearance in my posts, showing off his baby zoolander moves! 

I mean, who else can pull off this adorable Keith Haring look with a devilish smile?! 

I want to acknowledge two special collaborators for this look, starting with the killer makeup skills of MAC Pro Artist, Joshua Manuel Ribadeo, who was responsible for giving me this AH-MAZING face for my shoot (@joshuamribadeo). First off, Joshua is incredible. He's a whiz with a lip stain and makes it look oh-so-easy. He's funny, mellow, and there was no shortage of fun conversation with this Cuban-American artist! How could you not connect with someone who found his makeup calling after seeing his first drag show and watching firsthand how a drag queen transformed into a stage siren?! He was hooked. 

The focus of this look were the lips, and for that, Joshua went bold with Heroine Lipstick and MAC's (www.maccosmetics.com) new Retro Matte Liquid Color in Recollection to seal it, and the result was an eye-catching purple with a dynamite effect! What I love about my purple lips is that they are such a vibrant, and beautiful reminder of my mom. If you ask anybody about my mom, one of the things they'll always mention is her bright lips. It was her signature look. If you are talking about Teresita in the 80s, it was all about the purple lips; which, I got to wear every Halloween no matter the costume and I remember being so giddy about twinning with my mom . If the Teresita of the 90s was more your speed, then we're talking Barbie pink lips all the way. The purple ones were gangster! And its my color of the moment. 

My second collaborator is a fellow visionary and mother, who also happens to create timeless and delicate pieces for her namesake jewelry line, Jacqueline Pinto http://www.jacquelinepinto.com). Jacqueline is part of the design and creation process from start to finish, even selecting the stones herself and making sure each piece is curated  and created with the utmost sophisticated elegance that is associated with her brand. She only uses 18k gold with elements of pearls, gemstones, and diamonds. 

Jacqueline is attentive and she puts so much attention and love into creating the perfect piece and that's something that really resonated with me when we collaborated on this simple yet stunning cobalt colored necklace from her 'JP Cabochon Collection.' It's the epitome of understated beauty and I'm so honored that she chose me to help represent the embodiment of the 'JP Woman.' I wear my necklace everyday and often get compliments on the piece.

I can't wait to hear what you guys think of this look and post! I call this post my 'trilogy' post, because I was able to connect with three very talented individuals who share one common thread- a passion for their art and bringing that art to life through dedication, practice, and love. And that my friends, is where the road to happiness begins.

On Me:

Dress- Alkas Couture

Shoes- Steve Madden

Necklace- Jacqueline Pinto

On Rocco:

Jumper- Keith Haring for Gap

Shoes- Sweet and Swag

Miami Style Map: Stepping Out in Stripes with My Little Man

There are certain 'trends' that never go out of style; those few and far between classic looks that stand the test of time and continuously pop up season to season. You can rest assured that these staples in your closet will always be put to good use no matter what the fashion forecast predicts as the 'in-the-minute' trend that will have fashionistas in a craze.

Say hello forever to stripes! If you were to look in my closet and drawers, you would definitely find that my wardrobe is probably over saturated with stripes. Basically, I have a stripes problem, just like I had a florals problem (I've since curbed my floral purchases).  I can't resist a good buy- whether its a soft boyfriend tank or a striped long sleeved top like this one below, I love me a good striped top.

I love that strips convey an effortlessly chic Parisian flavor as easily as they can capture a nautical essence depending on how they're styled. They're pretty fail-proof. In this case, I tapped into the Parisian cool girl in me, because lets face it, French women always look comfortably flawless, and I paired my striped Peter Pan collared top with a flowy ivory skirt. 

I love stripes so much, that even my kids sport this no-age-limit classic. And I think Rocco looks mighty cute in his Peek Kids striped set (www.peekkids.com). Seriously, look at that face! I love the fall colors and it's perfect for this mild Miami winter. These photos were taken when he was 2.5-3 months and it's unbelievable how much he's already changed. In that short month, month and a half, he's done so many cool new things like babbling, and playing with some simple hand toys. He laughs uncontrollably and he turns to mush when either Coco or I suffocate him with kisses, because that's just what we do! He better get used to it! 

It's definitely been a change and an adjustment not having any alone time during the day while Maya's at school. That 9-3pm window that I once enjoyed to do work or run errands is no more with an infant in the mix and you know what? I wouldn't change it! Of course, there are days when I definitely crave an hour or two of detachment so I can run in and out of stores a lot quicker without having to load and unload my hummer of a stroller (just going to Walgreens is an epic adventure) or eat a meal sitting down instead of on the go; but, I'm also digging all that one on one time that Rocco and I are getting because I want us to get to know each other and spend quality time together without interruption. He's my little man and he's already got me wrapped around his chubby fingers. Smart kid. 

Chris (www.ra-haus.com) and I shot on a gorgeous day in November at the PAMM and you couldn't ask for a more breathtaking location. The lush greenery and minimalist setting works so well with this outfit! I broke up the black and ivory palette with a pair of suede tan booties that I pretty much live in. 

But you know what I love more than my tan Steven booties?! Rocco's Sweet N' Swag moccasins http://sweetnswag.com/uncategorized/)! I'm obsessed with babies wearing moccasins and I plan to buy Rocco a pair in every color (#obsessedmom). 

How do you wear your stripes?! I want to know, really. I'm always impressed with other people's interpretation of classic trends. You never know what 'trend twist' might inspire you! 

On Me: 

Top- Forever 21

Skirt- H&M

Booties- Steven

Sunnies- Walgreens

Hat- Goorin Bros. 

On Rocco:

Striped Set- Peek Kids

Shoes- Sweet N Swag

In Style, 

Kat 

Miami Style Map: Gearing Up For a Miami Christmas

Hello dear Squeezers! Hope you are all doing swimmingly and gearing up for fun and merry festivities with friends and fam. I know a few of you (okay, more than a few) are still running around doing some last minute shopping..ahem, me included! Yet, despite the 'down to the wire' rush to get things done, nothing beats that magical feeling of the holidays- even the unavoidable family theatrics that come along with it! 

This year, we are staying put in Miami with my family since we were in NY last Christmas with Coco and his family. Since we've been together, we take turns splitting the holidays so its fair for everyone! Despite the unseasonably warm winter up north, we are definitely missing celebrating the holidays in New York! I've said it many times before, there is just nothing like the holidays in the Big Apple. From the wintry weather to the storefront windows, NY is the poster city for all things holiday! We love getting all bundled up, walking through Central Park, seeing the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, oh, and catching a glimpse of that ol' Rockefeller tree, even if it means getting shoved by all the tourists. 

Coco still hasn't adjusted to Christmas in Miami and I get it, Christmas in a tank top isn't exactly what you have in mind when you think of the postcard holidays. But Christmas is more than weather; it's about family, about waking up together at the crack of dawn with your kid to open presents and relive the wonder of being young and experiencing the Christmas magic through the eyes of a child. This year, we are hosting both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and I can't tell you how excited we are to have a full and cozy (very cozy) house the next two days. Coco has set the menus, the Christmas place settings are ready to go, and our fake Christmas tree is shining bright waiting for the guests and kiddos to make an appearance. Christmas music has been playing nonstop in our house and we're wearing our ugly Christmas sweaters despite the sweltering heat. And I'm loving every second of it! Yesterday, Coco took Maya to pick out two toys for kids in need, or as she calls them 'Papa Dios' kids.' We want to teach her from now, that it's not always about receiving; it's also wonderful to give to those less fortunate and create a happy memory for them during the season of giving. 

To me, that's what Christmas is all about....Even if its 85 degrees outside! 

I like to think that Christmas came a few months early this year with the arrival of Rocco! We couldn't ask for a better gift. No return necessary! We are so looking forward to celebrating Rocco's first Christmas together. Maya is excited to help him open his gifts and though he won't really know what's going on, I'm sure he'll get a kick out of all the crinkly wrapping paper and chaos on Christmas morning. I've got a baby with a bad case of FOMO (he gets it from his daddy) and he won't want to miss out! 

One of the perks of winter in Miami, is well, there's no winter! You got year round sunshine and for us, that means enjoying the beach 365 days a year. It also means getting to enjoy the outdoors and trading in pine trees for palm trees. It means summer dresses with a hint of cold-weather accents (like booties)! And for this momma, it means more strolls and park time with my little ones during school break! For Rocco, that means coming along with me to any photo shoot I may have going on- like this one! 

Shopping for boys is a little more challenging than girls, I think. Call me high maintenance, but I'm definitely more particular about Rocco's wardrobe. I take pride in cultivating his baby style! You can say I'm going for that preppy/hipster/urban/city chic baby look- basically, a kid in adult clothing! A lot of the inventory you see is commercialized clothing, and while I'm all for that when it comes to pajamas (and trips to Disney), I can't have my kid looking like he's a walking advertisement for cartoon characters. I love big box stores like Peek Kids, Baby Gap, H&M, and Zara. But I've also found some small boutiques via Instagram that are really stepping up the 'kid fashion' game. I've already stocked up on goodies from these smaller retailers and can't wait to have Rocco sport them! 

For this shoot, Rocco is wearing Peek Kids (www.peekkids.com) fall collection! I love their cool and on trend selection for both boys and girls! I actually picked up Maya's 'Miami appropriate' Christmas outfit at their store.

I color-coordinated his look to my camel-hued sleeveless shirt dress! While I'm not particularly big on dressing within the brown family, I am a huge fan of camel. To me, it's such a great neutral and goes well with grey, navy, black, and even plum! I paired the dress with these suede ankle booties and my London Sparkles Hat from Goorin Bros. Its my go-to hat for EVERYTHING these days. And we can't forget about my Walgreens sunnies- yes, Walgreens! Can you believe it?! Best 12 dollars I ever spent. 

My plan is to wear this camel-colored shirt dress for one of our many holiday celebrations, sans the hat. With a great pair of leopard heels, and a bold purple lip, I'm ready to fa-la-la-la my way through 2016! 

I wish you all a very merry sandy (or snowy) Christmas! And I hope you make lasting memories with those you love the most! Don't forget to spread a little cheer, give a little love, and have a few glasses of egg nog with your Jingle Bells!

In Style,

Kat

Rocco Report: Two Weeks, Two Kids, And a Knee Scooter.

Hello, boy! 

Here are a few things I learned my first two weeks at home with a new baby:

1- Projectile poop is a thing. A really disgusting thing, as my three year old would say. And it will shoot out like a machine gun and cover you from head to toe in smelly, pasty poop, and it will usually happen right after you've used up all your energy to take a shower. FAIL. 

2- Baby penises are a loaded weapon. Oh yes. Don't be fooled by that cute face (I'm talking to you, Rocco). But a baby penis will douse you in urine. He will make it rain. It's a foreshadow that even cute, little penises transform into bigger and badder penises, that go on to make babies that will pee all over you. This baby penis is taking my diaper skills to new levels. 

3- Those hormones are here to stay. At least for now. It doesn't matter how many times I watch Tangled and Frozen, I will still cry in those last scenes. And by cry, I mean snot-heavy sobs. Thank you, hormones, for making me look like a completely bent out of shape new mom with a weird Disney princess obsession. 

4- That first poop after giving birth is still one of the scariest-holy shit (literally)- moments you'll go through once you get home. Doesn't matter if it's your first kid or your fifth. It's terrifying. That toilet is your nemesis. You will never be so petrified and your butt will freeze up the second you feel the urge to go because you just won't know what kind of pain is coming your way. But when you do gather the courage to sit and pray on that toilet seat, you'll let out the biggest sigh of relief heard around the world- and you'll live to tell the story. Maybe on a blog. 

5- Once you have a second kid, a compact car is the equivalent of a clown car. A minivan never looked so appealing. Two massive car seats in a 4-door BMW, plus Rocco's stroller, Maya's travel stroller, beach toys, and all the amassed kiddie litter (think Goldfish, Cheerios, stickers, coloring books, sippy cups) strewn all over the car seat floor, makes car rides very crammed and very uncomfortable. And forget about anyone else riding with you because there's just no vacancy. There's barely room for your own thoughts. It'll just be you, screaming kids, and Disney songs forever and ever. Or at least until they turn 18. 

6-  Each time I say 'my kids' or 'our kids' it's like a happy shock through my body. Kids- plural. Like, am I really saying 'my kids?' Holy crap I have two kids. It's pretty damn cool. And surreal. 

The Snuggle is Real. 

Suffocate you with kisses. 

The first two weeks at home with two kids has been an exhilarating roller coaster of emotions. My heart is bursting with love when I see Maya and Rocco together. It makes all the exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and anxiety, worth it. We've been fortunate, so far, that Rocco is taking after Maya. He's a pretty textbook baby- an absolute angel. He eats like a champ, usually every three hours, and sleeps pretty well too. He likes to grunt. It took us a couple of days to get used to it and realize he wasn't really awake, so we just let him be. Unlike his sister, he's still waking up to feed in the middle of the night. We got really lucky with Maya because she stopped waking up in the middle of the night after 2.5 weeks. Rocco also eats a lot more. Maybe it's a boy thing. Thank goodness for Enfamil Ready to Feed bottles! Those suckers live next to my bed and make those dreadful middle of the night feedings a lot easier and manageable. 

I grew up as an only child (I credit my extensive imagination and independent spirit to that), and even though I had a wonderful childhood with close cousins that could have passed as siblings, I knew that I wanted Maya to have a brother or sister in her corner. It's only been a couple of weeks, but to see her excitement over Rocco, warms my heart. She constantly wants to hold him and touch him and she loves giving him kisses in the morning when she leaves to school. She even gives him a rundown of what's on her daily calendar ('Rocco, today I have soccer, so you stay here with mommy while I go to school.') Granted, we do have to keep an eye on her because as the saying goes, 'love hurts,' and sometimes her hugs may be a little too tight or his head may be dangling a little too much because that's just what happens when you're a three year old. And when we gave him his first bath, she wanted to make sure all the soap was out of his hair and she innocently, yet unknowingly, sprayed down his face with the shower head and we had to tell her that water boarding her little brother was probably not the best idea.  

It helps that Maya is in school during the day because it lets Coco and I spend quality time with Rocco, considering we are still getting to know him. We make sure, though, that we give Maya that one-on-one time so she doesn't feel neglected or shut out of the circle. We don't want her to grow resentful of the new baby. During those first few days, we set up some play dates with her school friends, I took her to a press screening to watch Hotel Transylvania, and we went to the park. This kid's social calendar will put yours to shame. 

Our 'no help' rule went out the window since Coco's Achilles surgery got thrown into the mix. I have to say, even though his mobility is limited, Coco has stepped up to the plate more so than I expected. He's determined and persistent (and that's why I love him) and he helps as much as he possibly can, juggling two kids, a knee scooter, night feedings, and still manages to cook a roasted lamb dinner! I can't even do that with two legs. He's our Superman! But back to the help. I'll admit, the day I got home, I cried. I literally face planted (God, it felt good to sleep on my stomach) and cried in my room. I was initially overwhelmed. How was I going to take care of two kids, keep my house in order, walk the  dogs (hello, dog walker), help Coco, fit a bath somewhere in there, and so on and so forth?! Plus, having someone in my space was not something I planned on or wanted. We're all about doing stuff on our own. But I have to say, having my aunt here for the first five days was huge. She did laundry, cooked, kept the house organized, entertained Maya, picked up some of the daytime feedings with Rocco, kept Coco and I company while we did school runs, helped with groceries, and cleaned the house. I had friends who brought groceries (I love you and your easy meals, Trader Joe's), friends who took Maya for an afternoon, friends and family who brought lunch or dinner so we didn't have to cook, and one friend who actually did my laundry. Coco's mom came from New York for a week and helped us so much with the baby. She even gave us our first date night- at her encouragement! Coco and I were able to grab dinner at Lincoln Road while she took care of the kids. We were eternally grateful for the support! And to all you new mommas out there (and old, because God knows it gets a tiny bit more challenging when you have more than one kid), here's one advice I can give you.  If help is offered, take it. Especially if you have a limited network of support (like Coco and I do). Also, there's a big difference between visitors and help. Unless you're coming to my house to cook me a meal, do a load of laundry, or watch my baby while I nap, then better you save your visit for another time, preferably when the new parents are somewhat settled. It doesn't make me a bitch. It doesn't mean I don't want to see you. It just means my sanity is a little more important right now and we have to do what works best for us. Those first couple of weeks are happily chaotic as you find a routine that works, and that's okay. So if someone throws a little help your way that can make life easier, swallow your pride, and take it! 

A winning recipe for a happy post-delivery vaj.

The doc is in! Drying up the breast milk.

My secret weapon. 

Let's talk about what happens to your body (and your vagina) after baby, because it's a whole big, ugly mess down there of monstrous maxi pads, sore muscles, and swollen goods. Oh, it ain't pretty. I do have to say, however, that I bounced back with Rocco a lot quicker than I did with Maya. I credit that to only having to push for 14 minutes as opposed to two hours. Hell, I was doing a Selena Gomez interview one week after delivery. I felt like a rock star. My bathroom looked like a geriatric nursing home with hemorrhoid creams, Tucks pads, cortisone for my episiotomy, pillow sized pads to wear with those unattractive (yet really comfortable) mesh panties they give you at the hospital, all lined up on the bathroom counter. And let's not forget the peri-wash bottle, which was like having a portable bidet at your fingertips. I couldn't live without it. Every time I went to the bathroom, I had a consistent routine that included all those gadgets and because of them, the soreness and pain were tolerable. Then came an unexpected UTI. Holy Jesus- that was painful and apparently very normal, especially if you had a catheter. It felt like I was peeing fire every time I went to the bathroom. Thankfully that only lasted three days. Amen. 

My breasts didn't become painfully engorged until about the third or fourth day I was home. I rolled up to that hospital with my head of cabbage and those sweet nurses knew I meant business! I used cabbage to dry up my breast milk after I gave birth to Maya and it worked immediately! I think my milk dried up in three weeks. I did the same for Rocco. The nurses kept it refrigerated for me and whenever I would ring the call button, they would bring me my cabbage so I could apply them on my breasts. I didn't smell all that great, but it worked. I kept it up at home and interchanged it with ice packs. I found these Disney themed ice packs at Babies R Us and I thought, "These are the perfect size for my lady parts!" So I got Minnie Mouse covering the left, and Doc McStuffins covering the right. 

I've been blessed with good genes. Let's start with that. I don't have some secret remedy or some magic pill that has let me bounce back to my almost pre-pregnancy weight. The fact is I'm pretty lazy when it comes to exercising. There are other things I like to do with my spare time. I hate sweating. I like eating and I like my wine.  And even though I'm skinny, my body is jiggly in certain spots and that's cool. I have a small muffin top leftover from Maya's delivery and I'm honest with myself. I stepped up my 'body after baby' game with Rocco and got a belly bandit for that muffin top. So between that belly bandit, time, and prayer, I'm hoping it goes down on its own. That's my big plan. Our bodies made a baby, let's remember that, so let's be kind with ourselves! 

One of the things I did have to be mindful about when I got home were those unwanted baby blues. I was worried they would hit again, so any time I felt weepy or slightly off, I made a note to check in with myself to see how I was feeling. Even though this wasn't my first rodeo as a parent, it all still felt very new. Two kids is a whole different ball game! And now a boy! Thankfully, I was spared from the blues, but I made sure to do little things for myself- things like making my bed in the morning or getting a manicure and a fresh blowout. Yes, I spend most of my days in pajamas, and sometimes I don't even brush my teeth, but there are days I make it a point to get all gussied up, pack on the concealer, put some red lipstick on, and go out into the world. And again, because I bounced back a lot quicker after Rocco's delivery, I've been able to pick up some freelance work, have an outing with Maya or with friends, and that makes me feel a bit more human. It's got to be something worthwhile to get me out of those pajamas! 

Our new (and temporary) normal. Bye, Target. 

The famous knee scooter. AKA Roll-anda. 

One of the biggest adjustments I've had to deal with is getting used to having a baby in Miami. Having a baby in a new city almost feels like having a baby for the first time. It probably sounds silly, but once I explain why, you'll understand. I had Maya in Manhattan, in the winter, and never had to worry about driving with a newborn in a car or extreme heat. My Uppababy was basically my mode of transportation, and Maya and I would roll out of the apartment everyday and venture out. The city was our oyster. If we rode in cabs, I would just hold the car seat. The only time she would ride in the car as an infant, was when Coco and I would head to Long Island or we were traveling to visit family. The whole 'put the baby in car, take the baby out of the car' ritual was not part of my day to day. Having a baby in the city, contrary to what people think, is relatively easy. Here, its more of an effort. For example, if I want to go to Walgreen's, its a freaking production. I have to get the kids in the car, drive to Walgreen's, park the car, take the kids out of the car, then back in the car, then drive home. Then take the kids out again. I'm exhausted just writing this. Having kids in suburbia is a whole other giant compared to city-living!

Having a baby in Miami, gives me major anxiety. And while rationally I know it's the norm for many (and it will eventually become my norm), right now, it's still a work in progress. One of my paralyzing fears at the moment, is the thought of forgetting a kid in a hot car (it doesn't help that the news stations continuously report on these stories). It makes me not want to leave the house. And because Miami has no seasons and we live in an eternal summer, my anxiety is heightened. It's something I have to work on and overcome. I've gotten lots of helpful tips from friends, my pediatrician, my OB (can you tell how I've let this consume me?) like leaving your keys, wallet, phone, or even a shoe in the back seat for checks and balances. I even told Coco I wanted one of those 'baby on board' signs I hate, just as an extra reminder. And I've taken ridiculous to new heights by asking him for a bell to attach to the car seat so any time the car is moving or the baby is moving, that bell will annoyingly ring and serve as another reminder for me.  Hence, this is why I haven't ventured out with Rocco so much. I'm trying to work out my own kinks first. So what did I do? Well, to 'ease' my anxiety, I told Coco that I wanted to do a family Target run all together- knee scooter included. That was a not-so-brilliant idea. It was stressful. We looked like a hot mess: Coco on one of those electric scooters driving Maya around and me pushing a stroller with a four day old baby, looking like I was about to pounce on someone. Then Rocco got hungry and I had to feed him in the Starbucks/Pizza Hut sitting area. Ew. Seriously, what was I thinking?

Thankfully, as with anything, all we needed was a little time- and patience.  We have slowly and somewhat gracefully settled into a nice routine as a family of four. While those first few days were filled with nerves and worry, I'm definitely feeling a lot more confident, reassured, and settled as a momma of two! I'm loving every second of it- even when I'm not. And everyday I look forward to the next adventure. My heart is full and happy because of those two meatballs! I'm thankful for a wonderful partner who supports me in everything that I do. Even with a knee scooter, Coco is unstoppable. We make sure to stay connected, to help each other out when the other is running on empty, because it can get hard. Without that marital teamwork, parenting as a unit becomes disastrous and joyless. You need to have your partner's back, and yes, its challenging, especially during those sleep-deprived moments when all you want to do is strangle one another. But that passes and there will be more moments of love and happiness than moments of annoyance and burden. 

Remember the love and remember those beautiful and perfect little babies you both brought into this world, because there is no greater blessing, no greater gift, than family!  

My men.

My heart. My soul. My everything.

Momma's Boy.

Bumpin' Love,

Rocco's Mom