Talking...

The other night Braden used three words in a sentence! We were playing on the floor... he'd tackle me or just try to climb on my back and I'd fall down. When I took a break he thought was too long, he'd grab me by the pants and pull me back up. I asked him to use his words and he, without prompting, said "Up Please Daddy."

I was amazed! He's starting to get it and really making some progress. He's got a ways to go yet, but that just thrilled me!

TV Review

The new TV is up and running. I think it's spectacular. Kathie isn't too sure, and she thinks she's getting headaches from it. Too bad, I'm not taking it back :)

I installed it while Braden was napping. He came down stairs while I was watching a Dinosaur show on Discovery in 1080i on Discovery. His only comment was "Woah!". But, considering his current vocabulary level, that's probably not surprising.

I absolutely love the TV. The picture is amazing and the features are cool. I'm a little disappointed in Time Warner's HD offerings though. The channels are in goofy spots and they just don't have that many channels. But I'm sure that will improve over time. Or maybe Mark can hook me up with U-Verse from AT&T.

Emma likes the TV too... she can stand in front of it and talk to it without having to hang on for dear life. We have it on a coffee table so there is plenty of places for her to 'cruise' in front of it.

Welcome to the 21st century, Ehlke family.

That's right... the Ehlke family is now joining the current century of TV technology. The new LCD HDTV arrives today. Braden can now watch JJ the Jet Plane in glorious 16:9 wide-screen on a 52" LCD. Well, he could if the DVD was actually wide screen... instead he'll have to watch the auto-expanded image. But still... it will be awesome. And just think of how Curious George will look in HD!?!

My wife finally talked me into getting the TV I've wanted for so long. She's been so patient with me and my see-saw battle with my addiction... "We should get an HDTV... no, we shouldn't... we don't NEED it... but it'd be so nice watching Packer games... but it's too much... we have the kids to feed and other expenses" :)

My only regret is that the Packers don't play the Bears, because it'd be really great to watch them trounce the bears for the first game we see in HD.

Pumpkins and Mulch

Uncle Brett and Aunt Lori came over Saturday to carve pumpkins. And we suckered Uncle Brett into helping haul mulch. We had 6 yards of mulch and Brett and I moved it all in about 2 hours! I think Braden has to take the most credit though... he and his mini-wheelbarrow really hauled mulch!

Aunt Lori carves a mean pumpkin! Unfortunately Braden decided he didn't like getting his hands all messy and didn't really help that much. Maybe next year! Emma would have loved helping, I think. But once again, her mean parents wouldn't let her play.

Happy Oct 12th!

Hello all of my faithful blog readers! All one of you. I know you're saying "Well, if you'd blog more than once a decade, that might change!".

Emma is now 9 months old! Braden is still two years old. Funny how we count the months until you hit two years, then stop. I suppose it's a bit easier... after all, it'd be hard to keep track... for example, I'm 438 months old.

Now for the Ehlke news. Emma is a monkey. She climbs everything in sight, including the dishwasher, as you can see! She'll be walking soon, I'm sure. She also babbles like...well... a girl! Braden never babbled like her. She's doing it constantly; well, at least when she's not screaming at something that isn't doing what she thinks it should. She is eating solid foods like a champ and sleeps through the night for the most part.


Braden is still struggling with his speech. But we are seeing some great improvements. He's still quite a bit behind the curve, but he is really starting to use more and more words. We are nervous he has something called Apraxia. We'll let you look that one up, but the basics are that he knows what words to use, but he just can't get his mouth to make the words. He still isn't putting two words together and that seems to support a diagnosis of Apraxia.

He is definitely becoming more active and agile though. The speech/physical therapy people believe it's all tied to an inner ear issue and that he was slightly behind in things like jumping and agility. He's a little jumping been now and just loves tackling his dad.

Braden is going to school three days a week and loves it! We worry a little that it's frustrating for him with all the other kids talking, but he really seems to get along well and has a great time. We notice a lot of things he picks up from school, like using scissors.

Kathie and I are dieting. Yipee! We've been taking a weight management class at our gym and have learned a lot. Kathie calls me the nutrition nazi now, as I've been planning and cooking most of the meals. The good news is Kathie has lost 5 pounds and I've lost 16 pounds! I feel great and know I can keep it up!

Kathie has also started working. She makes survey calls from home at night. She says it's boring work, but I think she really enjoys it. Don't worry, she's only calling people in California, so most of you won't have to worry about her calling during dinner; at least not for work.

There are lots of new pictures up on our photo site... check them out. No, really, check them out!!!!