Heather Rae El Moussa cuddles son Tristan, one, and says ‘it’s still love month’… after responding to backlash for leaving stepdaughter out of Valentine’s post

Heather Rae El Moussa is still celebrating “love month” despite the recent criticism she received for leaving her stepdaughter out of her Valentine’s Day post.

The reality TV star, 36, took to Instagram on Monday to share adorable new snaps of her one-year-old son Tristan, who she shares with husband Tarek El Moussa, 42.

“Last we checked it’s still love month and we’re definitely feeling it here,” she wrote in the caption.

‘Nothing better than spending a rainy long weekend in the mountains, all cuddled up. It’s a busy, busy week ahead, but we’ll be keeping our cozy clothes on until further notice,” she added.

In the two photos, she was seen holding Tristan in her arms while wearing tight pink leggings and a white top.

Her blonde locks were styled into a bun and she completed her outfit with a pair of cozy white slippers.

Even though she opted for a casual outfit, Heather still looked flawless in the glam department, with bronze eyeshadow, big lashes and nude lipstick.

Meanwhile, Tristan rocked a cute plaid onesie.

“My loved ones,” Tarek commented on the post.

Chrishell Stause of Selling Sunset wrote: ‘Cute cuties!!!’

‘Cutest mommy!!!’ added another follower.

It comes after Heather responded to the backlash she faced after not including her stepdaughter, Tarek’s daughter Taylor, 13, in her Valentine’s Day post.

On Saturday, she uploaded an adorable photo of Taylor bonding with her stepbrother to her Instagram Stories.

Three days earlier, she shared a photo of herself posing with her stepdaughter.

She also shared a video of her and her husband supporting the teen during one of her volleyball matches, writing, “Go Tay!!! My eternal Galentine.’

In a photo of Heather and Taylor hugging, she seemingly responded to the comment, writing, “We close our ears to the pettiness.”

The model – who celebrated her and Tarek’s son Tristan’s first birthday at Disneyland earlier this month – added: ‘We only strive for positivity. My girl knows she’s my #1 girl.”

The day before, the Selling Sunset vet shared a Valentine’s Day post dedicated to her husband Tarek, their son Tristan and Tarek’s eight-year-old son Brayden.

She posted a series of throwback photos and wrote a lengthy caption dedicated to “my boys.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day to my boys T, T & B,” she began. ‘I have never felt so much love in my life.

“All three keep me on my toes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she continued.

She then tagged Tarek and wrote, “I’m so grateful to have you as my husband, my best friend and my partner.”

She gushed, “You are my person, and the best father I could ever ask for.

“I love you so much honey, and I love you Tristan and Bray.” Many Instagram users took to her comments section to point out that Taylor, who Tarek shares with ex Christina Hall, was not there.

One person wrote: ‘Where’s your wish for Taylor?!’

“Love seeing these family posts,” another commented. “But wonder why Taylor is missing. She could at least be mentioned. I really hope everything is okay.’

‘You can also wish a girl Happy Valentine’s Day. Sad just to say the man children,” one user wrote.

“I can’t believe you chose to alienate Taylor on Valentine’s Day,” said another. ‘That is sad.’

Others came to Heather’s defense, saying she had no bad intentions.

“Come on everyone, Taylor clearly wasn’t with them,” read one comment. “Heather would never deliberately leave her out, she wasn’t there, and that’s why she didn’t mention her. Heather is a great stepmom.”

Heather also said it before Today.com about how Taylor has a say in what photos of her are shared on social media.

In June 2023, she told the outlet: She’s a teenager now and she’ll say, ‘I don’t like my hair in that photo’ (or) ‘please don’t post that.’