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!!!!