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.

Family and Friends Galore

It has been a while since we have updated our blog and so much as happened since then. We have had family visit us in Athens. Gray's cousin Michaela, her brother Max, and her mom Jennifer made the trip to see Gray for the first time. Grandma Sharon and Grandma Frances also came with them to see Gray. It was a short visit but it was so great getting to see them.



Look how much Michaela and Gray look alike. "They're cousins...identical cousins!"



Here are Jennifer and Max getting their Gray-on.

Then it was Mike's first Father's Day. I just want to say that I am so thankful for Mike and his love for Graylon. He is so good with him and I love watching them together.

While I worked all weekend, Granna, Pop, Aunt Caryn, Uncle J, and our good friends Jon, Ashley, and little Henry came to hang out with Daddy and Gray to celebrate Father's Day. Gray visited a tattoo parlor for the first time and watched Pop get an addition to his Cubs tattoo. He also visited his first brewery...of course he didn't partake. :) It was a fun filled weekend for sure.



Daddy and Gray are hanging out in the recliner on Father's Day.

I had to work our last summer basketball camp last week and Daddy brought Graylon by to see me. He got to meet some very important people.



Liz, Tori, and Betsy loved getting to see Gray for the first time. He loved getting to hang out with these girls.



Ms. Ann got her hands on Gray too. About 10 minutes after this pic, he fell asleep in her arms.

We then had the entire week to anticipate Aunt Caryn and Uncle J's wedding on Saturday. The wedding was held at the Carl House in Auburn, GA. It was absolutely beautiful! Caryn was stunning, and Caryn and Jason looked so happy. Every aspect of the wedding festivities were perfect. We had such a great time and Graylon enjoyed getting to meet some of his family for the first time at the wedding. Grandpa Wester, Aunt Virginia and Uncle Fred, Uncle Ric, Aunt Carol, cousins Sam with girlfriend Aryn, Rose, Sara with boyfriend Dan, Kole, Brevin, Emily, Hannah, Jill, Cale, and Steven all got their first glipmse of little Gray for the first time in person. He was so excited!



We are all at Chateau Elan for Caryn's bridal brunch. (Rose, Granna, Gray, Mommy, Grandma Wester, Aunt Virginia, Hannah, Jill, Caryn, and Emily) The blueberry dumplings with vanilla cream sauce were soooo good!



Gray loved being in Aunt Caryn's arms. He thought she was the most beautiful bride!



Brevin and Kole were showing Gray their dance moves and took a break to pose for this pic.



Congratulations Aunt Caryn and Uncle J!!!

There are so many wedding pics to post them all today. There will definitely be more to come...

Happy Birthday Graylon

It's been three months since Heather felt Graylon coming, and we rushed to the hospital. It's been three months since I met my son. It's been three months since I first learned the proper way to change a diaper. It's been a great three months. I've learned so much. I feel like the luckiest dad on the planet. Well as promised I've written a letter to Graylon for his birthday. It's listed below. We've had several visitors since the last post, and I'll bring everyone up to speed with the next post, but this birthday post takes precedent.



Dear Graylon,

Happy 3 month birthday! You have grown like a weed on Miracle Grow. The growth has not just come in the weight and length department. You've absorbed so much information, and have developed one heck of a personality. You seem to eat more, sleep more, and poop more with each passing day. I've not been more than 100 feet from you for your entire life with just a very few handfuls of exceptions. And although you do look like both your mom and me, every time I hold you or talk to you face to face, I see myself. And I already wish children for you because it's such a thrill to hold a little version of yourself. I can't wait to teach you everything I wish I had known or the things I was so glad I had been taught. You'll have several teachers and coaches in your life, but none of them will be the end-all be-all teacher or coach like I will. I'll be able to verify or disprove anything that you've been taught, and for that, I am thankful. In the meantime, let me go ahead and coach you up for your fourth month and beyond.

**Although you aren't using words, keep up your excellent communication skills. You use such wonderful inflection, and in life and on a team, good communication yields great results. Say what you mean, and the only bad question is the one you don't ask. Keep up the good work there.

**You are so strong! I am so proud of the little muscle man that Mommy and I created. Keep eating your bottles and then all your baby food. Get a good night's rest, and take care of yourself.

**Follow your heart. We all have the pit of our stomach voice that tells us right from wrong. In sports, be prepared to make good decisions quickly, and in life trust that gut and stand your ground. You'll always have support from me.

You'll have to deal with these "pearls" your whole life, Gray. I'm a coach at heart, and you are my greatest project. I want the world for you, and I'll do my best to give you every avenue I can to have it. I love you Gray. Happy 3 month birthday again. I'll sneak you some cake when Mommy isn't looking.

Love,
Daddy

Someone Slept Through the Night!

Congratulations Mr. Graylon! Or should I say, congratulations Mommy and Daddy? Gray had a later bedtime last night, but he did not wake up for a bottle like he normally does around 3 am. He went to bed about 8:45 and he woke at 6:30! At first, as I awoke, I thought I had just slept through the bottle feeding. I've done so many of 'em half asleep that it was very possible that I fed my son, and I didn't remember it. But Heather confirmed it. We had been asleep for about 7 hours without interruption. Gray is growing up so fast.

Friends of ours from Wisconsin, the Quinn's, sent a care package for Gray that arrived last Friday. In it were two tie-dyed onesies and some of the best shortbread cookies I've ever had. The onesies fit him perfect, and we broke one of them out today. Our little tree-huggin-make-love-not-war-hippy-baby rocked the outfit today in his bumbo seat, in his crib under the mobile, and out for lunch at Red Lobster today. The onesies have quickly climbed to the top of our favorites list, so thank you very much Sarah and Greg.

On a personal note, I'm really looking forward to my first Father's Day. It just so happens to also be Gray's 3 month birthday. I plan to copy Heather and write my own letter to Graylon on that day. In the meantime, enjoy some more pictures.


Last night after Gray's bath, Mommy combed his hair differently. He looks more grown up this way doesn't he?


Caught ya! Graylon was sucking fingers again. It's his favorite hobby.


Big boy Gray showing off his brute neck strength in his bumbo chair.


Graylon was chewing fingers and watching his mobile friends. Groovy dude!


Tummy time turned into nap time. He had his booty in the air just like his friend Henry.

Good Ole Family Fun

Mommy post, Mommy post! I'm feeling pretty good. This is my third post, and I've really got the hang of it. We got back from a fun filled weekend in Dalton and White, GA yesterday. We got to Pop Pop's house late on Friday night and woke up to a wonderful breakfast on Saturday that Meemaw cooked for us. Graylon got to visit with Aunt Lacey and also Grandma Ophia before we headed to Chattanooga for Henry Lane's christening. Henry did so good during the entire ceremony and we were so glad to be a part of his special day. Afterwards, we headed to Hamilton Medical Center to see our good friends Kim, Josh, Luke, and the new addition to the Swiney family, Anna Kate who was born last Wednesday. Congratulations Kim and Josh! After we left the hospital, we went to Grandma Sharon's house for a birthday dinner for Paul. He turns 78 this week. Later that night, Grandma Sharon took a bath with Graylon and Graylon gave her a big surprise...he pooped on her! Cousin Melinda came over and Uncle Brandon dropped in for a surprise visit. Daddy and Mommy once again got a good night's sleep while Grandma Sharon took care of Graylon during the night. On Sunday, we headed to White, GA to visit with Granna, Pop, and Uncle Rick. We all enjoyed some pizza in Granna and Pop's new house. We arrived safely back home Sunday evening and Graylon truly enjoyed his trip to Mommy and Daddy's hometown. Here are some pics from the weekend...


The classic "Four Generation" shot


Aunt Lacey showing Gray how to sit up like a big boy.


Henry at his Christening and not crying. He's as tough as his nickname, "The Hammer."


What a coincidence. The kid from Gray, GA holding Gray LaBarbera. Good job Uncle J.


Henry's Godmother and aunt, Ms. Marcy posing with Graylon.



The Last pit stop was with Pop and Granna in White. GA. Granna got him the outfit he has on.

Baths and Tummy Time

We're almost to another Saturday, so that means Gray is about to be another week older. Tomorrow marks twelve weeks. Who reading this can believe that? He's getting so big, and each day we find something new that he can do. Since his two month doctor's visit we've been putting a daily emphasis on "tummy time." His neck is really strong already, and the more we practice the faster he'll hit crawling. He's still got a ways to go, but we sure are proud of him.

He's also becoming more mature as it pertains to bath time. On accident, I found a calming tool for him during a bath. The small tub was getting very soapy, so to rinse his hair I ran the bath water into the big tub to get non-soapy water. He was crying and fussing before I turned on the water, but once it was on, he became silent. Not a peep out of him the rest of the bath. The next night I told Heather about my discovery, so we were ready for him once he cried. Sure enough...we dipped into the bath, and he started crying. We turned on the water immediately and no more crying. On the third day, we sat him in the water and he didn't cry period. We'll see where he goes from here. Enjoy the pictures. Additionally, Mommy shot some cute video footage of tummy time.


He's not crying. That's his work out face. He makes the same expression when he bench presses.


He's gotta make sure that Mommy is watching.


Gray is cool as a cucumber during his bath. Thankfully the wash rag keeps the blog rated PG.


No, he's not drunk. The camera was flashing extra bright is all.


Ahhh, now that the bath his over, I'll enjoy a little hand snack.