Another Haircute!! And yes it was a haircute!!

So haircut #4 happened in the sink. And was it ever a success. And yes I do keep track of the number of haircuts this one has had because I have never heard of a 1 year old already having had this many. Look how dang cute this guy is!! I think he is on the 6 week plan just like the rest of us, although it has already been 9 weeks and its looking shaggy again. Should I just let him grow it out for a while? I think he would look so so darling!

Its Only June

Braden just loves the computer. I think that he thinks he knows what he is doing when he is pounding on the keys. Oh and the tan line. Right. Thats what this post is all about. Man alive. I cant even imagine how dark this kid is going to be come September when we have to pack our swimmers away. The craziest part is thinking that his whole body was the same color as his bum just a few weeks ago!!

Lake Day

We took a little trip to the lake today to beat the heat. We had such a fun time. The weather was perfect, I finally put sunscreen on Braden like a good Momma, and we were both feeling good all day after several days of illness around our house. We love living so close to the lake and cant wait for Daddy to buy us a boat. (We wish!)

Why do boys eat rocks and dirt?

I wasnt worried about him getting too far into the water, but the crazy kid stands on top of a beach chair when I am not looking. Honestly. He is such a boy. Oh and check out his belly!!

Braden just plopped himself down on the beach and enjoyed the shallow warm waves.

This kid is a water baby through and through. Nothing makes him happier.
Tried to get a cute pic, but somebody was a little mad that I picked him up. Whoops.

Horseshoe Bar Hike

So thank goodness for Eliza!! We finally got out of the house and had an outing, and have plans for many more. We took a quick drive to the top part of Folsom Lake in Loomis, and hiked around a path between Rattlesnake Bar and Horseshoe Bar. The trail was beautiful and we hiked right along the lake for the majority of the trail. We even got to see an old fat man running shirtless with his sweaty dog. Awesome!! Afterwards we had a picnic by the car of strawberries, watermelon, rice cakes, and sandwiches, and changed diapers on the perfectly flat giant rock. It was awesome!! We had so much fun Wellmans! Cant wait for our next trip!!

Bradens Birthday Partay!!

Bradens party was a ton of fun. We bbq'd and swam and ate popsicles. The weather finally got warm enough for swimming and lots of Bradens friends came.

He got loaded with gifts and some havent even been opened yet because I am trying to keep order to Bradens toys in our house. What a spoiled kid. Braden loves living so close to Grammie and Pop Pop.
Braden got so so excited when his buddy Charlie showed up.
He cant wait to have a pup of his own someday.

Best Buds! Braden and Rozzi Girl!

They are already in love. I swear!!

THE STATS

Look at our big boy. Devin is good about taking pictures of Braden when he is sleeping.

Braden was looking so gigantic, oh because he is.


So at Bradens 12month appointment, in addition to getting his wonderful shots, we learned a thing or two. First it was confirmed again, that my kid has a giant head. What?! 97 percentile what?! Shocker right? Second learned my kid is tall?! What? Yeah 33in man. 94 percentile. The dr was kind enough to tell me what that meant in case I wasnt smart enough... -to be read in sweet dr talking to potentially clueless mother- "That means that in a group of 100 children his age, only 6 will be taller than him." Thanks Dr Delmar. True story. I have a huge child. The real shocker though was his weight! How much did I think he weighed? At least 30 lbs!! Maybe 40! But the little peanut weighs a mere 24 lbs. Such a little sweet. Thats the 66 percentile. So while he does have a humongous noggin, and is taller than 93 kids his age, he is barely above average for weight which made me smile to think that he is still in some ways, just a little guy. Love him!!

Party Over Here

Bradens birthday was quiet and fun. It was just the three of us, which doesnt happen often. We wanted to wake Braden up for his birthday, but he doesnt like to be woken up, and we dont like to wake up early enough to wake him up, so it worked out for all of us and Braden woke us up to make him our Christensen birthday tradition, Strawberry Waffles. They were yummy as usual, and Braden experienced ice cream for breakfast for the first time. Daddy left for work, and after a good run, Braden took a nap, and then we headed to the park for lunch and playtime. We had a good time, and the weather was nice, until it started getting hot and humid...what the?! Then it was off to the store for a last minute birthday buy. Yup, bought my kid a present last minute. We couldnt decide what to get him alright. (It seems as if at this age, we pick what we want him to have. It works out great for us, and we end up with all of the cool baby gear we want!) Then it was back home for another nap, and waiting for Daddy to get home. When Dad got home, Mom took a nap and Braden and Dad went to get Papa Murphys, our favorite, Yum!! And Braden didnt complain. Then off to the park for some birthday play time, and then home for presents and Bradens first ice cream cone!

I have a ONE year old!!

Stop the presses! My baby turned one. June 4. I cried. Its a fact. Ask Devin. I just cant believe that my baby isn't a baby anymore. I am thrilled that he still wants a bottle at bedtime, and that he wants me to rock him in his bed. Thrilled that he loves to cuddle when he is tired. Thrilled that he is becoming independent, and oh so much fun with an amazing personality. Thrilled that he is so dang cute!! Thrilled that I just bought "What to Expect With Your Toddler" because I I have no clue what to do when he thinks its fun to bite and pull hair and hit and throw his food, or what he should be eating, or how what developmentally appropriate things he should be doing... you have all been here right? I can hardly believe a year has already gone by, and even more cannot believe how much I love my little one. I am a mother. I have a child. I love being a mommy..... except when the things happen that I didnt sign up for (getting puked on multiple times already, chunks of hair ripped out, poop smeared on floor, things broken, messes all over the place, screaming, crying.... everything else) Motherhood is not what I expected it would be, and although it is challenging, and exhausting, it is better than I ever could have imagined. I am so thankful to my Father in Heaven for blessing me (us) with little Braden Boy. He is our angel and he is one!!

Yosahmighty

For Memorial Day Weekend, as has been our crazy tradition two years running, we went camping. Last year as you dont remember, but I do, we went camping two days before I had Braden. It was insane of me, but a Unisom knocked me out for the night and I slept like a baby. It was a lot of fun, and my stomach is showing in just about every pic we have because I was so large. This year, we were also insane. We took our three days shy of 1, crawling baby boy to Yosemite. It was nuts, but it turned out fantastically and we cannot wait to go back. Braden was such a dream. He fell asleep instantly in his pack and play, didn't get too dirty, (although underneath his fingernails were black from letting him crawl around), loved loved loved being outside so much, I dont think I have ever seen him as hyper as he was on the trip, and he loved everything we ate, (pure junk except for our foil dinner, and then breakfast). I dont think I have ever given Braden any of the stuff he ate on the trip. Dorito's, M&M's, Starburst, Hot Chocolate, and the list goes on. Bad Mom of the Weekend award right here. But he was so good and thus we had such a wonderful time! The weather was beautiful, it wasnt cold, or rainy, as has been typical May weather around here, and the scenery was breath taking. Thank You Yosemite. Can't wait to see you again soon. (We bought a season pass! Anyone wanna go?)

The drive into the valley was so beautiful. You fall in love with Yosemite the second you get there. Here you can see Half Dome in the background, with Bridal Veil Falls in the foreground.

Braden was all for playing in the dirt. He was ready to get messy, and boy did he ever.

We thought it would be fun to take a early evening hike. It turned into a hike in the dark with a lost camper, who ended up turning back and staying at our camp. It was a little ridiculous of us. In the morning, we retraced our steps doing the same hike we had done in the dark. It was beautiful and we enjoyed it much more the second time around. Braden fell asleep within the first 5 minutes. It was great.
Our hiking took us to mirror lake where we stopped to take lots of pictures, play in the water, and relax in the shade.
Braden loves playing with Dad, especially when Dad lets him get wet when the water is icy cool.

It was a long weekend and so we decided it would be best if we let Braden drive us home. He thought it was a good idea too!

Reason 1357634200345 We Love Braden

Love this guy. He didnt even wake up when we were laughing in his room. So dang cute.