Dalton for a Wedding, Pictures, and a Birthday Party

Dalton was our host to another fabulous weekend of our family getting to know our son, Graylon. We headed out late Thursday to make our weekend feel longer, and it worked. We got in a bunch of stuff. Granted, we still be-bopped around constantly, but we had a great time!

On Friday, we got to see Granny Franny and Paul during the day. We ate at Ryan's and it brought back pregame meal memories from high school basketball. Later that evening Uncle Brandon, Auntie Heather, Michaela, and Jocey Lynn arrived at Grandma Sharon's from Clarksville, TN. We played some cards and caught up with each other. It was a blast. We woke up the next morning and headed to Pop Pop and Mee Maw's house. We were taking family pictures and then heading to Rome later to attend the wedding of Cousin Allen. The wedding was beautiful and we always have fun when all those Byers' get together. Uncle Steve caught the garter that his son threw, so one would think he'd be the next to get married. But he caught the one I threw too four years ago. I'm guessing the superstition might not come true. Gray was well behaved during the ceremony and hung in there like a big boy. Apart from a little spit-up mishap with Cousin Melinda, he was the man! Sunday was birthday time for Jocey Lynn. She turned 2 on the 7th of July, and this was our time to get together as a family and celebrate her. She is so beautiful and full of love. Graylon has some pretty awesome girl cousins on both sides of the family. **And we're getting really excited for that first boy cousin coming from Uncle Rick and Aunt Kelly in a couple of months.** We headed out Sunday evening, and we've spent this Monday catching our breath.

Enjoy the load of pictures. This is the tip of the iceberg. There are several of the Sunday pictures that I haven't even put on the computer yet. There will be more. Tomorrow is Gray's 4 month birthday, so Mommy should be writing another letter to Graylon. Stay tuned.


Graylon loved all the love. Can't you see all that excitement on his face?


We told Michaela not to pinch, but she wouldn't listen. Gray will get his revenge when he gets older...jk Michaela.


Grandma Sharon put the magnet in her cheek and the piece of metal in Jocey's mouth.


Brandon took the time to pose with Graylon, but then went back to trying to "make him meaner than a striped snake."


Granny Franny was explaining to Graylon that "E" in fact, does equal MC squared.


Family portraits drove us crazy! We took serious poses too.


Graylon is a great flier, but Pop Pop was the one on cloud 9.


Mommy and Gray were getting ready for the wedding. Umm...they look kind of like mother and son don't ya think?


The bride and groom, Allen and Alex, posing for their 500th picture of the day. It was a wonderful wedding. Thanks for allowing us to take part in your special day.


Melinda and Gray were good at this point. A few moments later came the spit up. Melinda handled with grace and sophistication though.


Uncle Ronald got his first taste of Mr. Graylon. Needless to say, Gray charmed his socks off.

Our Trip to Funroe, Monroe!

Yesterday, Gray and I took a trip to Monroe, GA to visit our good friends Katie, Brook, and Mack. We had a great time. Katie gave me some pointers on making my own baby food for Graylon once he starts eating food and we caught up on everything. Mack is Katie and Brook's 7 month old little boy and he is adorable. It is amazing how fast these little ones grow.

Katie, Brook, and Mack treated Gray and I to lunch at the Monroe Country Club and then we went to the pool. Gray actually stayed in the pool for about 10 to 15 minutes. I was so proud of him! Thank you Katie, Brook, and Mack for such a great day! Here are some pictures from our day in Monroe and also some from today at the house.

We leave for Dalton today! When we get back from our weekend in D-Town, there will be more pictures to see.

By the way, we finally received Graylon Michael LaBarbera's official birth certificate today in the mail!



Gray and Mack hanging out after playing in the pool.



Look at Mack with his beautiful blue eyes and sitting up like a big boy.



Katie had to get some Graylon love before we left.



Gray's first time in his high chair. We just wanted to try it out.



Graylon having play time with his daddy after his bath last night.



Gray checking out his birth certificate. He is official. :)

Ahhh...These are the Days!

Graylon has really enjoyed himself during these two bonus maternity leave weeks for Mommy. Heather and I are pretty convinced that he's been growth spurtin' right in front of us. We'll get his latest measurements later this month on the 28th at his next doctor's visit, but in the meantime, we've been speculating. I think the kid is over 2 feet long and is pushing 13 lbs.!

Heather and I each have our own play time specialties with Gray. Heather usually calls dibs on all bath time privileges. Her and Gray have their own unique specialty songs and jokes. And I, on the other hand, have developed several games with Graylon that involve me sitting in the recliner with my feet up on the prop and my knees bent, with Gray inclined facing me. He lets you know when we amuse him, and for the most part, he seems happy day in and day out.

We are preparing for a trip to Dalton this weekend to witness the wedding of Heather's cousin Allen. We are really excited to get to show off our son, and we are looking forward to the visit. Until the next post, soak up the latest pictures and videos of Mr. Graylon Michael.



If my hands are in my mouth, I'm one happy boy.


Play time with Daddy means I get to squeeze his nose. He makes that face when I do it to make me laugh.


Don't mind that spit up on my mouth...I just got a little bit over-excited.


Even though my Aunt Caryn got me this outfit, everyone take a good look because Daddy told me that I won't be dressed in orange that often. I'm not really sure what a Volunteer is, but I don't think I like them.

Strictly for Superstitious Purposes

Sorry everyone. I am selfishly using this blog as a forum to break the current funk that my Chicago Cubs are currently in. They have not played as we've all been made accustomed to over the past couple of seasons. This year's season is nearing the half way point, and if the Cubs don't turn it around soon, then the 2009 season (my son's 1st as a Cubs fan) will be a disappointment. So Graylon, Mommy, and I took this beautiful Saturday as a chance to do OUR part to break the bad streak. We made our own "Go Cubs Go" video. I thought I would share it here on the blog, but this video will only break the misfortunes if all you viewers believe it will. Once again, this video was not made for cuteness (Although it has the highest cuteness factor of any video ever to appear on the blog.) but for superstition. I hope you all enjoy it, and please, for Gray's sake, help cheer the Cubs to a great 2009 season! Go Cubs Go!

Mommy and Daddy are Here? I Love It!

Heather had went back to work early from her maternity leave, and she is taking her two remaining weeks now. Therefore, it is easier to make a blog post the day after the last one. Think of this frequency as the exception not the rule. Since everyone is pretty much up to speed on the events of Graylon's last few weeks, the purpose of this post is to show off some more pictures from the wedding, put up a video, and show any other pictures that I see fit. Enjoy.



Graylon cuttin' up on the couch.


Can you say early teenage years bribery?




MORE WEDDING PICTURES


Aunt Virginia is getting some much overdue Gray time.


A very helpful Grandma Sharon gladly watches over Graylon as pre-wedding stuff is going on.


Cousin Sara and Dan holding a very content Graylon.


3 generation pictures are so much fun. Pop Pop, Mommy and Gray @ the reception


Mommy and Daddy getting in a dance with Gray before he crashed and was out for the night.

Gray's First Independence Day

Gray got to check off a 4th state on his "States Visited" list this weekend. Added to Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee is now Kentucky. Thursday evening we loaded up and headed for my grandparents house in Belton, Kentucky. We stopped by my parents house in White, GA on the way to combine vehicles. We barely fit in the F-150. Gray does not travel light. We hit a snag on traffic, but still got to Gran Gran's just a little after midnight. We arrived to the smell of pickles. Yes, my grandmother was jarring her own pickles. The finished product was very good, so I can't complain about the aroma present upon arrival.

Friday was golf for the guys and a taco bash in the evening for the early 4th of July arrivals. The next day was action packed as over 60 people flooded Gran Gran's neighbor's home. That neighbor is my Uncle Ric and Aunt Barb. The Independence Day celebration doubled as a quasi-family reunion. A variety of games were played from Corn Hole to balloon toss. Also, proof that my cousins and I are all grown up was obvious as babies and little kids were everywhere! It rained, but we didn't let that ruin the party. An adult slip-n-slide and fireworks prevailed and everyone seemed to have a very good time. Thanks a lot Ric and Barb for being such wonderful hosts. I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

PS...Happy 2nd Birthday to my niece Jocey Lynn Byers. Her Auntie H and Uncle Mike love her so much and hope she has a great birthday.


There is he is...everyone's favorite stare down competitor.


Brev and Gray hanging out. Check out that smile on Brevin.


I told you...kids everywhere!


Emily's personality resonates through this picture. She is a lot of fun to be around.


Mommy and cousin Kyleigh trying to stay dry during a soggy Independence Day.


No offense Gran Gran, but you look like you're in hog heaven. She loves her two-days-apart grandkids.


Graylon, don't take it personally. Ole Grandpa just doesn't smile in pictures much. He loves you a lot though. **Side note** Gray looks just like me at his age in this picture.


The balloon toss picture puts the number of attendees into perspective.


I wasn't kidding about the adult slip-n-slide. Bring it on Rain!

The Present World of Graylon Michael

Gray recovered from Aunt Caryn and Uncle J's wedding this week. He did a fine job of sliding right back into his routine, and he's had a happy week. Oh and by the way, he is officially sleeping THROUGH the night with very few hitches. His routine goes something like this: Bath time is between 6:45 and 7:45 every night. Depending on when he took bottles that day, either a bottle right before or right after the bath. He is ready for and in bed before 8:00 almost every night. Occasionally, he'll lose his pacifier before he's in deep sleep and he'll wake up, but paci back in is all it takes to knock him back out. And besides that, he is asleep until any time between 6:00 am and 8:00 am. Like I said, there have been a few exceptions, but they are becoming less common.

Another big first is in store for Graylon this weekend. He makes his first trip to Muhlenburgh County, Kentucky. The now annual, 4th of July Blowout takes place this weekend and Gray will be in attendance. Nearly 70 people will be there playing all kinds of games and enjoying friends, family, fellowship, and fireworks. I am personally thrilled to be taking my son to the place where so many of my vacation memories took place as a kid. And although he got to meet several family members for the first time this past weekend, he'll now finally get to spend some good quality get-to-know-me time with everyone. Gray is once again a jabber-mouth, and he won't shut up about it. We are all really excited about this weekend.

A little side note: Everyone please keep me in your thoughts and prayers this Tuesday, July 7th, as I take my state Health and Life Insurance exam. I will be prepared for the exam, but any and every bit of prayer helps. I'll keep you all posted on that front. Enjoy more Gray cuteness in the meantime.


It's Super Gray...Grandma's look the other way. I know you both got nervous just looking at this picture.


Ain't nothing like a shirtless Gray to make you say awww. Yeah, his unbiased father says he's cute.


"I'm good at a lot of things, but sucking on my fingers might be what I'm best at."


I swear he looks 3 years old in this picture. I guess no onesie, with a t-shirt and shorts, with tons of hair on his head will do that.