Heather Rae is "thankful" for her husband's ex-wife

She told People: "Usually - and I'm thankful for Christina that I get to spend time with the kids - we'll do a brunch with the kids and then she'll do something else with them later on in the day.

"And we get together with my side of the family, Tarek's side of the family, we usually do a brunch. I try not to cook or do anything at the house because I don't want to clean .

"So it's like getting out of the house, celebrating and then coming home and just sharing the day with Tristan and Tarek after the kids go to Christina's house."

The 'Selling Sunset' star - who appears on 'The Flip Off' alongside Tarek and Christina - insisted that "patience" is one of the biggest lessons she has learned so far in her time as a mother but has also surprised herself with just how much she "loves" this new chapter in her life.

She said: "Patience. Definitely patience.

"And then you got to be selfless when you have children and they come first no matter what.

"But the biggest thing I've learned is how much I love being a mom. I absolutely love it. I thrive. It's my favorite thing in the world. I love being a step-mom.

"And then that took me into wanting to have my own baby. And Tristan has been such an amazing gift in my life and I just love it more than I thought I was going to."

However, one other thing that Heather has noticed is just how much of a "picky" eater her toddler has become.

She said: "He's so funny. The doctors would be like, 'Oh just eat with them and they'll be interested in what you're eating.' No way.

"This kid does not want anything. He has his staples and he likes what he likes and that's it. But I am lucky that he loves smoothies.

"He loves the chocolate peanut butter Orgain protein, so I can mix that in. He loves fruit if I put in fruit so I can kind of get things in there without him knowing what he is actually having.

"But he is picky, yes. I never thought I would have a picky child.

"And I'm like, 'Oh, he's going to be eating vegetables and this...' No, he loves grilled cheese. He loves peanut butter and jellies, smoothies and fruit and pretzels."