New mom Linda Perry is in love!

“He grabbed my face and said, ‘Mama,’ ” the rocker and mom of 8-month-old son Rhodes Emilio told PEOPLE Thursday at the 2015 Outfest Legacy Awards.

“That was amazing. He really knows everybody so when they say a name, he’ll turn to the person. He’s really alert!”

Perry, 50, and wife Sara Gilbert are all too happy to share night duties as nothing is too much trouble at the moment. “We’re totally doing that,” Perry shares of preparing late night feeds. “It’s been really great, there is no complaining here.”

Allen Berezovsky/WireImage

Even though the arrival of Rhodes has changed the landscape of Perry and Gilbert’s relationship, it has really brought them closer together. “It’s a life change, [but] anytime you have a situation where you are putting more focus on the kid, you just check in,” the singer explains.

“Like, ‘Are you alright? What do you need?’ Because you can get lost. It’s like music for me, I have to check, ‘Can I go for another hour?’ ”

As for Rhodes, his every move touches his moms’ hearts. “I just feel that his heartbeat is a milestone to me,” Perry says. “I’m so proud and so in love. Life has changed deeply, but it’s way better.”

— Raha Lewis

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