Eugene and Felisha Bates of Cullman announce the birth of their son, Braxton Eugene Bates, Sept. 21, 2011, at Cullman Regional Medical Center. He weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces, and was 21 inches in length. Braxton’s grandparents are Thomas and Brenda Johnson of Crane Hill and Kenneth Bates of Cullman and the late Norma Bates. He has a big sister, Caitlin Bates, who is 6.