BCM - How did your life change when you became a mom?

Lerida - My life turned upside down, I even changed careers! Now that I’m a mom I realized the things that are most important in life are the smallest and priceless. Motherhood doesn’t come with instructions and is an everyday learning experience for you and your little ones. It's also challenging with small children close in age. My life will be always changing because their needs will be always changing, but that’s what it’s all about. Once I found out I was pregnant it wasn’t like “I want those shoes she’s wearing,” it was more like “I want that diaper bag!”

BCM - What has been your most memorable moment (s) as a mom?

Lerida - There’s so many! But it all comes to the times when I held both my kids for the first time.  All the morning sickness, back pains, swollen feet, hours in labor, it all disappears and I realized 'WOW I’m somebody’s most important person in the whole world!'

BCM - What has been the biggest challenge for you in motherhood?

Lerida - Trying to get some “me” time, sometimes I can’t remember when the last time was I got a haircut.

BCM - If you could give another mom or expectant mom one piece of advice, what would it be?

Lerida - Trust your mommy instincts. I read tons of pregnancy books while I was pregnant just to realize nobody knows you and your baby better than, well you. And don’t bother bringing the whole box of nursing pads, your milk is not going to be overflowing at the hospital.

BCM - You recently started a new company - New York Cake Pops. What was the inspiration behind the company?

Lerida - My kids! I started making cake pops when I was looking something cute, small and yummy for little hands to hold. One day I actually ended up making a cake, cupcakes, cookies and cake pops and to my surprise the only thing they ate was the cake pops. Shortly after that, friends and friends of friends started asking me to make cake pops for their kids birthdays parties, then I posted some pictures online and got an email asking for 6000 cake pops! I couldn’t believe it, a week later New York Cake Pops was born. Now, cake pops are being ordered for kiddies birthdays parties, baby showers, new babies, fashion events and even weddings! I feel this venture is meant to be for me as it lets me combine my favorite things and skills. I come from a family of artists and I like to feel I’m painting when I’m decorating cake pops.

BCM- Do you have any advice for other moms who would like to start their own company?

Lerida - Go for it, you can do it! It sounds easy and it is! When I started New York Cake Pops a few months back, I learned that if it's really something you want to do, everything will fall into place.

BCM - How do you manage your career while being a mother and a wife? Any advice for moms?

Lerida - Ask for help. Sometimes you can’t always do it all no matter how hard you try. My husband is a musician so his schedule is always changing. We’re each other's biggest fans, he’s been very supportive since day one. Even when I don’t ask for his help, he’s always asking if there’s something he can do. And I try to do the same for him.

BCM - What types of activities do you like to do with your kids ?

Lerida - We love to go to the family concerts at Lincoln Center and taking walks along the Hudson, but the most fun we always have is in our living room. I love when Ella and Mateo are laughing it out loud because we’re just making silly faces.

BCM- What has been your favorite Big City Moms event to date?

Lerida - The Biggest Baby Shower! I attended when I was pregnant with Mateo, I couldn’t believe how many goodies I got and was so thankful for the tons of energy and trips I saved to the babies stores trying to find the best products. This year I was lucky enough to participate as vendor, I met so many beautiful mommies to be, I hope I looked that good when I attended.

FUN FACTS
I'm totally obsessed with...

Lerida - Shopping for one of a kind jewelry on Etsy
My biggest influence is....
Lerida -My family
My favorite drugstore buy..
Lerida -Essie nail polish
Product I can't live without ......
Lerida -Diorshow mascara
My guilty pleasure is...
Lerida -Eating all leftover frosting
Favorite meal....
Lerida -My husband’s famous pasta