Juliana Vazquez

There is something slightly ridiculous about watching your baby happily smile at someone they know well, only to have that same person put on part of a Halloween costume and suddenly become completely unacceptable. Maybe your baby was reaching for their favorite uncle five minutes ago. Then he puts on a bright wig and oversized glasses, turns around, and your baby stares at him like she has never seen this man before. To us, the connection is obvious. Same person, but different outfit. Your...

Having a new baby can suddenly make you notice every coughand sneeze. A family member says, "It's just allergies," and suddenly you are doing the mental calculation of how badly you actually need them to hold the baby today. It is funny how quickly germs become something you think about once you are responsible for this tiny person. But what is actually happening with your baby's immune system during that first year? Are newborns basically defenseless? When does a baby's immune system get...

Halloween is one of those holidays that feels completely different once you experience it with a baby. To you, the giant skeleton on your neighbor’s lawn is funny. The witch that suddenly cackles when you walk past is obviously plastic. And the person in the inflatable dinosaur costume is probably someone you already know. Your baby does not have all of that context yet. They are experiencing flashing lights, unfamiliar faces, masks, strange voices, decorations that move without warning,...