Henry turned 1!

Last Saturday, Graylon got to experience his very first 1 year old birthday party. Our great friends Jon and Ashley threw their son Henry one of the coolest parties filled with all kinds of jungle animals, balloons, great food, and fun. We not only got to visit with the Lane's but also with Granna, Pop, Aunt Caryn, Uncle J, Aunt Kelly, Uncle Rick, and cousins Averie and William. That's right...we stopped by and hung out with the newest member of the LaBarbera family...William Anthony. I did not get any pictures which I was pretty bummed about but just getting to see him and Averie was so much fun. Graylon got a first class tour from Averie of her play area. I think he was a little overwhelmed with all the toys and puzzles and stuffed animals and baby dolls.

On Sunday, Gray, Mike, and Grandma Sharon made their way to the Lady Dogs home game against Rutgers. Before the game, Teresa Edwards, a five time Olympian and former Lady Dog was honored for her induction into the Olympic Hall of Fame and also the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. We also unveiled a display case of just her things in the training facility. During this ceremony and later the reception, Graylon got to meet lots of people even Teresa herself. He loved her. The Lady Dogs beat the Scarlet Knights by 1 point and Gray's record went to 2-0.

As Monday was a furlough day for me at work, Grandma Sharon, Gray, and I spent the day shopping in Commerce. It was a enjoyable day and Gray did great. Grandma Sharon bought him his first pair of Stride Rite shoes. They are adorable on him.

I am getting ready to go with the team to Hattiesburg, MS for a Thanksgiving tournament. We leave tomorrow after a home game against Alabama State. Gray and Mike will be in Dalton tomorrow and then heading to Kentucky to visit family. I will be reunited with my two boys on Sunday when we head to Dalton for a special day. Stay tuned to see pictures and hear details from the rest of this week.

Enjoy some pictures below...


Graylon got to meet two VIP in the women's basketball program...Hunter and Melvin.


Gray and Uncle Rick hanging out at the party in their stripes.


The birthday boy, Henry, and his Mama posing for a pic.


Gray chillin out at about 6 ft. 7 in. right before he had cake and ice cream.


So we are trying to get Gray interested in drinking out of a sippy cup. He is getting better.


It was cold on Monday for our shopping spree. We had to bundle Gray up.


This is one of several Christmas sleepers that Gray has. Too cute!


Gray can't get enough of this play wall.


"Hello?"


Daddy and Gray have sooo much fun together.

Happy 8 Month Birthday

Gray,

Wow, you're eight month birthday really sneaked up on me this morning. I was talking to you and said, "...and you're almost 8 months old!" Your Mama then corrected me. I can't believe how grown you look and act. Even dressing you tonight after your bath I marveled at how long you looked from head to toe. Your personality is really starting to take shape. You definitely know who your Mommy and Daddy are at first sight. You seem to always greet me with a smile...either when I'm coming into your room when you're waking up in the morning, or when I get to pick you up from daycare after being out of town for 3 days. I love how much you love both of us. I can't wait for you to be able to voice your feelings and show your emotions with even greater detail. This month you have mastered crawling. I've witnessed aggressive crawling, u-turn crawling, carpet crawling along with kitchen tile crawling, crib crawling, and even couch crawling. You don't seem to be afraid of too much. It's not enough for you to just pull up anymore. If you can pull up higher or further, you try to. You've accumulated a handful of bumps and bruises, but yet, you aren't phased. I admire that about you, and even at eight months old, I'm envying your character traits. I can't wait to see all that you will teach me. I've always loved to teach or train others. I hope you have that same love and continue to teach me all that you can. Because you better believe that I will teach you every single thing that I know. You will learn each mistake I've made in an effort to help you avoid them. I'll share with you my proudest moments too, so that you'll be more likely to emulate the same moments in your own life. For the rest of both our lives we are a team. If we really put our heads together, I know we'll both be better because of it. But for now, you keep being fearless, and I'll keep being the sponge. I have soaked you up and soaked you up for eight months. I can't wait to see what you teach me next.

Happy Birthday Gray, and I love you,

Daddy

First Haircut and Playtime

Yesterday started out great. I had the day off from work and was looking forward to spending it with Gray. We played, played, and then played a little bit more. When Mike got back from work, we also fit in a haircut for Gray. I was so nervous but ended up just doing the best I could. I swear he looks three years old now. He looks like a different kid. You can judge it for yourself. Keep in mind that Gray has two cowlicks in the very front of his hair so it does look a little uneven.

Mike, Gray, and I then headed over to my office so that I could get a few things done and then we went and got something to eat. During dinner, Gray just wasn't himself. He was fussy and would not eat anything. I thought maybe he was just tired, but when we got home, we figured out what was wrong. Gray was so hot and when we took his temperature, he was at 103! We called our doc and was worried for the rest of the night. I took him to the doctor today and he has an ear infection and the flu (swine and regular) was ruled out. He has felt better today and his fever finally broke around 5 p.m. today. He got some meds and is ready to get better. Mommy and Daddy are ready too.

I have to go out of town tomorrow. The Lady Dogs play UTC on Thursday night so I will miss my sweet husband's 29th birthday tomorrow. We will have to celebrate as a family on Friday.

Enjoy the pictures...


Before the haircut...


After the haircut!


Gray would rather play with a computer cord than just about anything.


He played with it for like 10 minutes...too funny!


He also likes this play wall thing which is compliments of cousin Averie.


Peek a boo!


Our living room doubles as Graylon's play room.


Gray looks tiny compared to Mike's large feet.


Happy Birthday Daddy!

PS - I don't think we have blogged about Gray's teeth. He has four now...two on top and two on bottom. It looks like he will have two more on top very soon.

Not Only Does He Crawl, But He Tailgates Too

So Gray has still been busy crawling. He's covering more ground. He's moving faster. And he's pulling up constantly. His diet has added more baby food and eliminated one bottle per day. I can't believe that my son is already nearing his 8 month birthday! I love watching him grow.

Graylon begged and pleaded all week to let us take him to the Georgia/Auburn game this past Saturday. We compromised and told him he could come to the tailgate as long as he was on his best behavior. Well he was. He posed for pictures, ate a hot dog, and threw football. We have proof of the picture posing, but he did all the rest off camera. We had a wonderful time. The Dawgs won too. Gray was pumped!

Not pictured in this post, but also a monumental event...Gray attended his very first UGA Lady Dogs basketball game. He sat in my lap the entire game while Mommy sat on the bench. He would sit still until the crowd would get excited for a big play. Georgia won, so there were plenty of great plays. He was such a good boy, and I thought he seemed very comfortable inside a basketball gym and watching the sport of basketball for the first time. That's a very good sign don't ya think? Anyways, enjoy the pictures of the weekend below. For your viewing pleasure, there is also a video at the end of Graylon pulling up and doing a little crawling. Enjoy!


When I said he pulls up on everything, I mean it.


He had JUST finished his hot dog.


Gray learned every player's jersey number from Pop and the program.


Gray seemed very comfortable sitting with Kelly.


Graylon zonked right out when Aunt Caryn got a hold of him.


I think Jon's glasses look better on Gray than they do on Jon.


Chip and Elizabeth got their Gray time in too. He had just finished throwing football.


There's nothing like play time on Sunday.

Bunco and a birthday party and a wedding...oh my!

Last Thursday, Graylon got to experience his very first Bunco party. I hosted my Bunco group at our house and Graylon got to meet most of the girls that play in our group. Two of them didn't make it but Graylon was amazed at all the pretty women. He totally loved it.

Friday, I took a vacation day so we could head to Dalton for a fun filled weekend. Friday night, we all surprised Pop Pop with a pool table for his birthday. Mike, Gray, and I also went to the rehearsal and dinner for cousin Chris's wedding. We got to spend some time with all the family and it was fun.

Saturday, we surprised Pop Pop again with a surprise birthday party. Then we all headed to the Chris and Neely's wedding. I must say that it was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever been to. The day was beautiful and our entire Byers family was in attendance. Graylon got lots of love from EVERYONE. This was Gray's fourth wedding this year. Check out some pictures below.


Ann, Pam, Vita, Ann, Pam, Mama, Gray, Kay, Paula, and Bogie all pose for a picture to mark Gray's first Bunco experience


Uncle Steve and Cousin Melinda with Gray at the rehearsal dinner Friday night


Gray and Jocey played musical bowls Saturday morning


Jocey Lynn had to help Meemaw cook breakfast and also had to have on a apron just like Meemaw.


Uncle Ronald came to the surprise party and got some time with Gray


Grandma Frances stopped by the party and had to get a picture with two of her great grandchildren


Meemaw, Gray, and Pop Pop all dressed up at the wedding


Even though the sun was in their eyes, Brett, Tasia, Aunt Stacy, and Uncle Michael enjoyed the ceremony with Gray in their laps.


Uncle Michael hanging out with Gray at the reception


Uncle Brandon was telling Gray all about the dance moves that he was going to break out later.


LaBarbera family picture


Gray took off his vest and unbottoned his shirt to let loose a little toward the end of the reception


Congratulations Neely and Chris on your beautiful wedding and marriage!

Halloween Fun

A lot has happened since the last post. Gray has added pulling up on everything to his crawling. He eats baby food 3 times a day. He has moved up in classrooms at day care to the "Crawlers" room. Also, Graylon enjoyed his first Halloween, and he did so as a pumpkin.

Last Friday was a furlough day at UGA, so Heather had the day off. She and Graylon joined me in Dalton. While I worked, Gray got to see Grandmas and Grandpas. They made their rounds during the day, and then we headed back to White to see Granna and Pop. Heather and I had a wonderful dinner at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen thanks in part to our friend and restaurant manager, Steven, while Gray stayed with Granna and Pop. Saturday was Halloween and we spent the day and the Lane's house to watch the Dawgs play, dress up the kids, take some pictures, hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters, and enjoy some of Jon's beef brisket. We had a great time! Enjoy a ton of pictures below.



Gray sporting his new winter hat was playing with a Halloween toy courtesy of Uncle Joe and Aunt Diane.


Gray in mid-swing with his ghost beanie baby.


"Don't I take a great bath picture?"


Graylon smiling with his first ever teacher, Ms. Rita. It was Gray's last day in her class.


Grandma Ophia got some long overdue Gray-love on Friday morning.


Grandma Sharon and her favorite grandson


Granny Franny and Gray from Schloztky's on Walnut Avenue


Pop Pop and Gray getting together for a business lunch


Gray got a bath from Granna. He showed her his splashing skills.


Jon was a Florida fan for Halloween. It was spot on if you ask me.


Gray had his first dissolving puffs experience. He wasn't too sure about 'em.


Ashley hanging out with the three amigos


The Dawgs were in the process of frustrating us all.


The Three Amigos were such great sharers.


Gray was beggin' his Mama to go trick-or-treating. We told him he'd be big enough next year.


The Pumpkin, The Cheeser, and The Monkey


Granna, Gray, and Pop


Tim Tebow, Henry, and Ashley


Daddy, Gray, and Mommy


Aunt Caryn, Graylon, and Uncle J