We met Nathan Pastor and Caroline Chiara in 2025’s February issue. And what a difference a year can make. The couple welcomed a son last summer: David Francis Pastor was born on August 19th at Kaiser in Walnut Creek. As expected, a baby changed everything for the couple. Well, not everything. Here, they share the ups and downs of parenthood and how they keep finding ways to enjoy living locally.
What has been the most unexpected joy of becoming a parent?
Caroline: I was surprised that despite the tiredness, I don't get frustrated when waking up in the middle of the night because the baby is so adorable, which makes those moments really sweet. I love watching him learn new skills, like picking up a toy and bringing it closer to him. And he grows so fast!
Nathan: I was similarly surprised by how cute he is. Everyone talks about "pain and suffering" after having a baby, but I don't mind being tired. A big joy has been seeing the happiness of people when they meet David. We are amazed by how social and alert he is.
Were there any unexpected challenges, and how did you manage them?
Caroline: The major challenge was David developing colic, which we had no plan for. It was difficult because he would cry exactly two hours after eating for weeks. His condition has improved significantly after we had cranial sacral work done, which addressed a possibly tweaked neck from the birth. We also keep him upright for 30 minutes after feeding.
Parenthood often requires big adjustments. How have you managed your careers and wellness postpartum?
Caroline: I have a private therapy practice, and resumed part-time work after about 16 weeks. We have a part-time “Superwoman” nanny, and Nathan’s family is local and has provided lots of support. I get acupuncture and often meet up with friends for a walk with the stroller.
Nathan: I own my law firm, and returned to work part-time after about 10 weeks. I worked from home until then so I could help Caroline. We both appreciated the time together at home in the beginning. Sometimes I work out at Life Time, which offers childcare for babies starting at 3 months old.
What are some of your favorite local spots now for family activities?
Nathan: The Lafayette Reservoir has always been our favorite spot for walks, even before we were parents. While we're not quite in the park phase yet, Civic Park in downtown is a favorite for my niece and nephew. For a night out with the baby, we made it to The Boba Lounge (formerly Li Cha Tea) when David was eight weeks old.
How do you carve out time for yourselves as a couple?
Caroline: We’ve managed to go on some walks and dates with the help of a doula, a babysitter, or neighbors. It's a weird feeling—you know you need a break, but then you immediately want to return to the baby! For our 5th wedding anniversary, which was right after he was born, we DoorDash'd from The Cheesecake Factory. The baby was actually quiet for 20 minutes so that we could enjoy our food. Early December, we went to Carmel for a quick weekend getaway and to practice traveling with baby David.
What does your perfect weekend look like now?
Nathan: Sleeping, eating, going to the Lafayette Reservoir, and having a fun bath time with David. We also enjoy walking around downtown Walnut Creek.