The Graduate

Look at his smile! We were all grinning ear to ear. He did it! December 10th, Michael graduated from The University of Cincinnati again, this time with a Masters of Science. For the past two years Michael has juggled school yet again, a full time job, a church calling, full time tech support for family members, being a wonderful father and awesome husband. I am allowed to say all this because he would never boast of that to anyone! I am so proud of him :)

I headed to commencement with all of the kids (yes three kids under the age of 4 for a two hour graduation ceremony, we really love him). A big thank you to both of my parents who came to support Michael and help me with the kids! The girls were so excited to cheer him on. They were anxiously waiting for him to walk across the stage!



There he is on the jumbotron...



Daddy and his girls





His biggest fans! Way to go Michael!

Jacob's Blessing Day

On November 6th we decided to have Jacob blessed. He looked very handsome in his little blessing outfit. Here are a few pictures from his special day!

Halloween Happenings

We started the Halloween festivities with pumpkin carving at Nana & Papas house.






Halloween night, all the kiddos dressed and ready to go. I am wondering if there will be a Halloween in the next few years that one of the girls decides they want to be something other than a princess. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that we already have the dress-ups and it's definitely cheaper, but I have a few other ideas for costumes in the future!



Our little cheeky monkey



The girls waited on the front porch for the first hour of trick or treating. Michael had class that night and it let out right when trick or treating started. I was trying to explain to the girls that I couldn't take them around with the baby and pass out candy at the house at the same time. They were good sports. Especially when Michael got stuck in traffic and didn't get home for an extra hour! They were fine with it as long as I let them keep eating candy out of our basket.



Finally getting to go fill their princess buckets.

Good Old Burger Farm

As is tradition, we headed to Burger Farm right before Halloween this year. It was a beautiful day but a little cold, but that didn't stop us from bundling up Jacob so he could join, in our family tradition! We started with the fun hayride to the pumpkin patch.
Here are Papa and the girls:


Gracie and Cakes being big girls


One big happy family



Gattuso girls and the cousins



Picking out pumpkins



Mommy and Jakester



Izzy in the scary maze



Best Buddies...at least at this moment :)

My Sweet Baby Boy

Once again life has been crazy and now we are left just trying to catch up. We are loving our newest addition. He is definitely Mommy's little boy! Here are some pictures over the past 2 months. He is now a chunky 12 lbs 10oz and I love every inch of him :)















Were you noticing a common theme? He sure likes to sleep!



Daddy is sure having fun dressing up his little boy too...

Baby Jacob

Jacob Michael Gattuso has arrived

October 19th this sweet boy joined our family at 2:11pm weighing 8lbs. 3oz and 21 1/2inches long. Like his sisters he was about 3 weeks early (36 weeks and 6 days).



One of my favorite doctors (Dr Fleming) was on call and I was more than ready to have Jacob come into this world.



The night before we went out to dinner with Michael's parents and I kept telling everyone this was like my last supper so I had to make it good. I just had a feeling. Apparently my feeling was right. I had started timing my contractions at about 4am and finally woke up Michael at 5:45am to let him know that they were getting closer together. I did my best to hold off calling the Dr until I knew the girls were almost up. I really wanted to say goodbye to them and explain that it was finally time for Jacob to "pop" out as they would say. We got to the hospital about 8:45am and I was at about 3 1/2. I was admitted and got in my room and got an epidural within the next hour. Unfortunately it didn't work like it should have and I only felt it in some places and so most of the contractions I was feeling. By the time I had reached 6cm they decided to take it out and give me another one. I progressed quickly and basically went from a 6 to a 10 without and epidural. It finally kicked in about 3 minutes before I pushed and as Michael seems to be telling everyone the rest was "easy" as two pushes later, Jacob was here. I keep reminding my dear husband that although that part was "easy" please don't forget that is that "fastest" yet hardest labor so far. He's still learning.

Of course it was all worth it. Look at what we get in return





Our first family picture as a family of five



The girls were overjoyed to be able to finally come to the hospital and wear their big sister shirts. They had long been awaiting this day as well.



Michael's parents came for a visit on Monday evening so we were all elated that they could be here for the birth of their grandson just a few days after their arrival! It was very helpful to have them home with the girls while we were at the hospital. Thanks Mike and Sue!



It was also great to have my parents home from Arizona and be a part of this whole process again. It's been nice to have them around to help as well. Juggling three might take me a little while so it's a good thing they live around the corner ;)



My mom couldn't resist taking a picture of Michael trying to change his sons first diaper. It's a little different than he's used to. He's always been a champ at helping with diaper duty but over a week later he still keeps telling me it's a two person job...hmmm



Here is Baby Jacob locked and loaded, ready to go home to his crazy sisters



I thought I would enjoy my "vacation" but I trying to orchestrate things from the hospital it just seemed a little easier to do it hands on at home, so I was ready to be released too!



What can I say, these girls are completely loving their new little brother.



Can't you tell?