A few thoughts on motherhood that have been on my mind.

Not sure who will read this knowing there won't be any fun pictures in this post, but if you feel so inclined to read my recent thoughts, please read on!


I have been thinking a lot lately about how Red is in this "inbetween stage."  I say this because he is all the sudden a toddler, growing into a little boy look, while still maintaining his baby body in so many ways.  He doesn't speak but just a handful of words but he tries to talk and babbles a lot.


The thing that has really got me thinking of his baby days lately is the fact that his sleeping has changed.  He has always been a great sleeper, and in recent months he would reach for the crib as if to say to me, "mommy, I'm ready to go to bed - put me in!"  I'd read him a few books and he'd put himself to sleep after I left the room.  Not a cry, not a peep.  But recently, he has reverted and I've found myself sitting down on the nursery glider, putting my feet up on the ottoman, and rubbing his head and back until he falls asleep on my shoulder.  As I relax while he's sleeping on me, I look around the nursery and remember the days, ending only 6 months ago, when I nursed him to sleep in the glider every single night for an entire year.  I kind of miss those days but still think of him as my baby.


As a new mom, it has always been difficult for me to be patient, I always seem to be looking towards the next milestone and in these precious moments of rocking my sweet baby to sleep recently, I've been remembering that he still is a baby and its so important to savor each of these stages and moments together.  Sometimes during the day, I just squeeze his cheeks and try to remember how cute he is and how much I love the very stage we're in at this moment in time.


Lastly, for all those moms out there, am I the ONLY mom who is actually abiding by the recommendation to keep babies rear-facing until 2 years old?  I swear, every single kid on tv I see is forward-facing.  And lots of people I know too.  So just curious - send me your thoughts on this.  Red doesn't even know that you CAN go forward-facing so its not an issue for us AT ALL and we intend on keeping him rear-facing for the remaining 6 months until he hits his 2-year birthday.  But I am starting to think I'm the only one....

33 Pictures to cover the fall and Holiday season!

Hi friends & family!
Well, I've neglected the blog recently and decided its long-past due for a new post.  Since posting last in September, we've had a great Fall and Holiday season.  The most exciting news is that Red got his first Cassotto cousin, Logan Vincent!  Megan and Ryan had their first baby boy in October and we were able to visit them in New Hampshire 2ce, including once for a very special Thanksgiving they hosted.  Here are some pics:

 
Baby Logan Vincent Cassotto.

 Red had a blast Trick-o-treating this year at the Canton Shoppes for their Give a Treat, Get a Treat event.  It was really fun going store to store collecting sugar for him to eat for dinner . hehehehehe.

 Red was a chicken this year and we met up with cousins Will & Jacob at the shoppes.  :)

 Feeding mommy his lollipop.

 Pumpkin-picking with the family in New Hampshire right after Logan was born.

 I love this picture of Red and Grammy!

 Red looooved apple-picking because he loved eating the apples by himself the whole time!

 Red the scare-crow.

 Red loves taking rides and Grammy & Grampy even got him his own Red Flyer wagon for Christmas!

 Weeeee!

Thanksgiving in New Hampshire was a lot of fun - It was great seeing Logan again and having the whole Cassotto family together to celebrate Logan's first Thanksgiving.

 I had to make the infamous Rasmusson Chocolate Roll Cake for the Cassottos.  I think they like it!

 Megan & Ryan carving the turkey!

 Funny outfit one morning, polar bear slippers and Christmas hat.

 After Thanksgiving, we all went to a tree farm to get Ryan and Megan a Christmas tree - so much fun!

 LOVE THIS!

 The new family (love Logan's pumpkin hat!)

 Grammy & Grampy in all their grandparent glory!

 Picture I used for our Christmas Card this year.  I was really pleased with the final card product, especially since I didn't have a lot of time to make the card and order it.  :)

 Erica, Julie and Marcie came over one day to decorate sugar cookies and after they left, Red went to town with all the sprinkles, frosting and treats!

 Red & cousin Andrew playing on Christmas Eve.

 GrandPar & Nana came to visit!  (more pictures to come!)

 Logie-bear is getting so big!  First Christmas.  :)

 Christmas morning (Grandpar took all the pics, so more to come later, but this one was funny of Talcott and Red playing together in Talcott's new bed.)

 One of the best presents I got for Christmas was the Bella Meatball Maker - it makes the BEST meatballs! Paired with Randy's home-made cuvatelli and it was a delicious dinner one evening!

 Randy got a new motorcycle for his 34th birthday!  YIPPEE!  Its a Kawasaki Vulcon 900.

 Happy 34th, DADDY!