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!

Weekend fun!

First of all, I just want to thank Meemaw (Damaris) and Nanny (Damaris's mom Christine) who drove all the way to Athens on Thursday morning to clean our house and to see Gray and me. We were so thankful and greatly appreciated the help. It's so nice to walk into a clean home and know that all I have to do is spend time with my family and not worry about cleaning the bathrooms or sweeping the floor. Thanks again Meemaw and Nanny!

We had such a fun and enjoyable weekend. It started off on Friday with Mike getting to Athens in time to pick up Gray from daycare. Mike hadn't see Gray since last Monday morning and it was a nice treat for both of them. By the way...Gray moves up to the next class in daycare on November 2nd. Now that he is crawling and sitting up by himself, it is time...and time is just flying by. Mike, Gray, and I stayed home Friday night and just hung out together. We were anticipating seeing several of our friends who had planned to come visit us. Due to some issues, the only ones that got to come to our house on Saturday was Steven and his son Emerson. Emerson is only two weeks younger than Gray and it was great to see them both.

Saturday morning came and Gray pulled up for the first time on the little play table that you see in the picture above. We were so proud of him. He also had another first...he fell on that same table and busted his lip. Yes, there was blood and he was pitiful. He has never really had a "boo boo". We know that there will probably be many more, but I felt so bad for him. Gray sucked it up like a big boy though and it never bothered him again.

I had to work some on Saturday, but when I got home, I got to see Mr. Emerson...what a cutie! He is precious and it was so much fun to see them playing together. We visited the Terrapin Brewery on Saturday night and then went out for dinner.

Sunday, after everyone slept in, we headed to Sandy Creek park for some disc golf. Emerson and Graylon enjoyed being strolled around and Mike and Steven competed for 19 holes of disc golf. Steven won. I was the official score keeper. It was such a beautiful day. The weather was perfect. My camera battery died while we were there so I didn't get many pictures at the park.

Graylon also got another tooth today. One of his top middle teeth is peeking through. He has three teeth now! Also, now that Gray is always on the move, it is getting difficult trying to change his diaper. There is some proof below. Gray may not like this but I thought it was too cute not to share. Please no one tell Gray about the picture below. When you see it, you will know what I mean. :) All in all, it was a great weekend. Check out some pictures below.


This is after Graylon had pulled up on his play table. Way to go Gray!


Gray and Emerson playing together. They are such sweet babies.


Gray's is trying to get Emerson to crawl and Emerson is trying to get Gray to just relax...it is the weekend.


The two boys both in the back seat of our Honda Accord. They were so ready to go out on the town Saturday night.


It was a little chilly out on Saturday so Gray got to wear his new gray jacket.


Emerson in his gray jacket too.


Me and my sweet baby boy...check out the busted lip.


If you think Emerson looks like his daddy, you should see his mommy. He is such a good mix of them both.


Gray is teaching Mike how to keep your dukes up.


All the boys posing in front of the Terrapin at the brewery.


Someone could not sit still long enough to get a new diaper on before he was on his way to play.


Gray and Emerson were getting ready for their trip to the park.


Not really sure what they were looking at...probably a fresh bottle of milk.


Steven is getting some love from both baby boys.


Mike couldn't be left out.


Gray and Emerson were sooo good in their strollers for the disc golf game. They took it all in.


My baby Gray in his new hat that Granna and Pop gave us last Christmas before Gray was even here.

Gray's First Tailgate

Gray experienced a first last weekend...his first tailgate. We had told him how exciting it was going to be, but I really don't think he had any clue until he was actually in the midst of Dawg fans, loud music, and the smell of Jon Lane's pork tenderloin on the grill. The Bulldogs beat the Gamecocks and Graylon couldn't have been any happier.

We also had lots of visitors at the house. Friday night, Aunt Caryn, Uncle J, Uncle Rick, Aunt Kelly, and Cousin Averie all came to get ready for the big weekend. The next day everyone else including Granna, Pop, Jon, Ashley, and Henry arrived. We had more people in our house staying the two nights than ever before. I'd like to say that it is a record for the LaBarbera household. We had a great time. Check out some pictures below.

The LaBarbera's

The Lane's

Granna and Pop with their grandbabies Averie and Gray

Daddy giving Gray the pregame talk

Henry just told Caryn that the Dawgs are totally gonna win. He's not even worried.

Three Daddies getting some tailgate love from their babies

The Three Amigos

Awkward Sleeping Positions and Green Beans

I haven't intentionally taken this long to blog. I was so proud of the last blog's video that I wanted it to headline as long as possible. This has been a very fun and memorable week. I start work with Liberty National Insurance next week, so this is my last week bumming around Daddy Day Care. I've had one of the most extreme cases of cabin fever of all time, but I'm not looking forward to giving another soul the responsibilities I've owned the past 5 months. I knew all along that this situation would not carry on forever, but now that it's here, I'm not pumped. I'm a tough guy though, and I'll be fine. We've spent more time wrestling this week, and Gray promised less poopy messes. We've had a blast.

This week has had it's fair share of milestones. Gray's sleeping habits and positions are ever-changing. He prefers his side and tummy now, but will occasionally mix in a back nap. He likes to root his face into the corner of the back of the crib and the mattress. Of course, I had to lay a hand on him a million times to make sure his breathing was not affected. He's sleeping harder and therefore growing a ton!

On Wednesday our friend, Shannon, came by to visit Graylon for the second time in his short life. She was smitten like a kitten. We ate dinner, and then she got to see Gray's bedtime routine. She also posed for a picture, and it's below.

I've also really wanted to get spoon food going with Gray this week. If I or Heather don't get it done, then it means that more than likely MeeMaw or Granny Franny will be trying next week while I train in Dalton. Or, the folks at the day care will be introducing him to bananas and green beans. Both scenarios aren't the way I would want if I could choose. I would prefer I or Heather do it. So we're REALLY trying to get Gray to love some green beans in the video posted on this site. Rice cereal is not cooperating with our boy so we skipped right into the beans. He did well. See for yourself.

Enjoy the pictures too. Bare with us between posts. I won't have our computer in Dalton while I train next week. I will, however, have Graylon and the camera. I may figure out a way to blog something. On this same subject, keep Heather and I in your prayers as Heather spends the majority of next week in Winterville without her boys. I'm training in Dalton while Gray spends time with a combination of grandparents to help us save one week's worth of day care tuition. We'll be reunited in no time. The "time" part is what we're not looking forward to though. In the end we will be just fine. Enjoy the pics in the meantime.


I told the most hilarious knock-knock joke. Gray is such a sucker!


"You talkin' to ME?"


Shannon offered to babysit like 100 times. I think Mr. Graylon charmed her socks off.


One of those new sleep positions I was referring to. He's in deep, deep sleep here...for real.


This was the moment he had anything with flavor in his mouth for the first time. Who wouldn't be smiling?

Since the Last Post...

Well I one-up'd Heather. I now have two days without Gray under my belt, and believe me, I am NOT bragging about it.

Late Friday night Grandma Sharon arrived in Winterville. She was coming to spend some good quality one on one time with her grandson. To us, she was babysitting and being a huge help, but to her, it was paradise. To quote her thank you note after she left..."I wish every day could be like yesterday and today." We needed the babysitter because my brother-in-law to be, Uncle J-Bird, was having a golf getaway bachelor party about 45 minutes north of us in Homer, GA. I was to arrive at the course around 9:00 Saturday morning, and I headed back to Graylon around 3 pm the next day. It was the longest I had been away from him, and although the golf trip was a blast, the time without Graylon was not cool. At the same time, Aunt Caryn was having her girls' night out in Athens, and Heather was in attendance. Grandma Sharon took Gray to the hotel were the girls were beforehand, and he charmed their socks off. From what I was told, he was a hit. Atta boy son! Good job. Heather made it home later that night, so her days away from Gray count remains at one.

Since the weekend, it has been back to Daddy and Gray mornings and afternoons as Heather works the UGA women's basketball camps on campus. She is home in the afternoon, but has to go back for a late night meeting. Wednesday marks the end for this camp, and Graylon and I are glad. While I'm at home with Gray, I am currently taking an online study course for my Health and Life Insurance licence. I plan to go to work for Liberty National Insurance in the near future. So, any blog followers out there looking for any insurance, you know who to call.

Enjoy the pics. The video was on my facebook page, but those of you not on facebook...here you go. Talk to you all again soon.


Currently his favorite chew toy is his hands. We're trying to change that...hence, the teething ring.


Now you can't tell me that he doesn't look at least 3 years old when he's in this thing. He's gettin' huge!


Grandma Sharon and her muscle man grandson


Ok, ok...I'll admit SOME similarities in mother and son. I'm just kidding. He looks a lot like his Mommy.


Sara melting all over Graylon.


Kathryn was getting her Gray on!


Looks like Graylon was the center of attention. I'm sure Aunt Caryn didn't mind sharing her night with him.