Braylon Myles spent his first Christmas Day going arm from arm to each member of the Myles family.

“He’s a popular one today,”  said Ashley Myles, Braylon’s mom. “Everyone in the family wants to see him and hold him.”

The five-month old started his Christmas day at 7:30 a.m. eager to open the gifts Santa Claus had left him the night before.

Everything from clothes to shoes to a walker was waiting under the tree for Braylon Wednesday morning.

But it was a small circular ball complete with lights, music and a small motor inside that helps it propel across the floor on its own that had Braylon in a trance for most of the day.

“He’s been playing with that since he opened it up,” Ashley said. “It’s been a big day for him.”

The new mom stood back and watched her son play with his toys and commented on how the presents were just a small part of what made Braylon’s first Christmas so important.

It was everything else around them that mattered, she said.

“We have a lot of family in Natchez, and having them all here to celebrate is what Christmas is all about for us,” Ashley said, as more family members poured through the door of their Lower Woodville Road house. “We’ve had family in and out of the door all day, and that’s how it’ll be for the rest of the day.”

At one point during the Myles family’s Christmas gathering, the branches of their family tree aligned from oldest to youngest with Mary Brady, Ashley’s great aunt, on one side of the couch and Braylon on the other.

“Everybody’s under one roof,” Ashley said with a smile. “Just knowing Braylon is here with all his family makes me so happy.”

The feeling was mutual throughout the house with other Myles family members as Johnette Myles, Braylon’s great-grandmother, watched others play with the newest member of the family.

“Everybody has him spoiled to death, but that’s a good thing,” Johnette said. “Just to see him have his first Christmas means the world to me.

“This Christmas is how I want each one to be for him — surrounded by family.”

With turkey, ham, gumbo and dessert all accounted for, the Myles family continued their Christmas celebration into Wednesday evening waiting for their turn to hold baby Braylon.

“He’s just been going from arm to arm all day,” Ashley said. “I’m so ready for his next Christmas. “I can’t wait.”