Nilsa Prowant of MTV's Floribama Shore fame recently celebrated a major milestone in her son Gray Allen Gazda's life: her baby boy is officially 1. The 28-year-old shares Gray with her husband, Gus Gazda, with whom she tied the knot in November 2021, about seven months after they became first-time parents. For Nilsa, who experienced her share of heartbreak and struggles both before and during this pregnancy, celebrating Gray's birthday surrounded by loved ones was a dream come true.
While pregnant with Gray, Nilsa was an open book about the anxiety and depression she felt during that time, which also saw her coping with the sudden loss of her father. She revealed that she wasn't feeling like herself and didn't recognize herself in the mirror. She said there were times she didn't even want to get out of bed. Additionally, given the fact that Nilsa had a miscarriage in her previous marriage, there was added worry and stress. Therefore, Nilsa and Gus rejoiced on May 20, 2021, when Gray entered this world happy and healthy at 1:56 a.m. after an intense 31 hours of labor. Nilsa said at the time that she always wanted a family of her own, and it came true.
Over the weekend, family, friends and Floribama Shore co-stars gathered at DAS BBQ in Atlanta, Georgia, to celebrate Gray's 1st birthday. Nilsa and Gus gave their boy a circus-themed party that featured a "Graytest Show of All" banner, bounce house, carnival treats and a big top tent cake. Gray was showered in love (and tons of toys) by party attendees, including Nilsa's castmates Jeremiah Buoni, Codi Butts, Aimee Hall, Kirk Medas and Candace Rice. "We truly are so blessed to have so many amazing people who traveled near and far to wish my boy a happy birthday! It makes me want to cry," said Nilsa on Instagram.
Prior to the party, Nilsa shared the finished products of a birthday photoshoot, which showed Gray happily surrounded by balloons and sporting a red bowtie. Though Nilsa has done some impressive things in life, such as landing a spot on a hit reality TV show, she named her biggest accomplishment as being the mother of "Gravy Train." She said in the post, "He came into my life at a time where I needed him most. God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave me you...My life has changed completely when I became his mother...in the best way possible."
Gray is the first Floribama Shore baby in four seasons to be born, followed by Candace's son, Maxwell Michael Hardy, who has been in the NICU since his early arrival on Christmas morning at 24 weeks. According to updates from Candace, Maxwell's health is improving, which means that Gray may have a new best friend very soon. Though nothing has been announced just yet about Floribama Shore season 5, it's possible that forthcoming episodes may replicate the format of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, which shows the former party-goers in a more mature light as they navigate marriage and parenthood. Just as the babies of Family Vacation steal the scene with their cuteness, so too can Gray and Maxwell.
Sources: Nilsa Prowant/Instagram, Nilsa Prowant/Instagram