.#dietzenfameveryday2014 {week 46}.

Our week according to Instagram!

Day 317: All three kids were sleeping at the same time today, the house was cleaned this morning and I had nothing that needed to be done immediately. I actually got to sit on the couch and read. By myself. In silence. It was heavenly!!

Day 318: I got to have a lunch date with this sweet boy after school today. He got chosen to be the example child for physical therapy students today and did amazing!! Love getting special times with my first born and am so incredibly proud of all his progress and hard work. He is seriously the hardest worker I know!!

Day 319: Good morning world!! Happy Saturday!

Day 320: A little tummy time practice :) Lane thought he was being a big help!

Day 321: Parker thought it was necessary to use his "noculars" to watch a show on the ipad. I love watching their little imaginations work and hearing what they come up with!!

Day 322: Papa Stan is in town and Lane has followed him like a shadow! Somebody loves his papa :)

Day 323: Just jammin on the piano this morning at the children's museum!! He can crawl around and make a mess and I don't have to clean it up and he's learning and exploring while doing it!!

.#dietzenfameveryday2014 {week 45}.

Our week according to Instagram

Day 310: This sleeping beauty is 6 weeks old today!! Time is flying! Can't imagine our family without her sweet face. She is smiling all the time, getting so strong, bearing weight on her legs and sleeping a solid 7 hours at night!

Day 311: This is the face of a little boy who SCREAMED and thrashed alllll night long. Now at 6:45am he finally falls asleep! Off to the doctor we go today!

 Day 312: Well an afternoon of yard work turned into an afternoon at the urgent care. Apparently hedge trimmers are sharp and Nick's finger was the victim...so he will be rocking that blue bandage and a nasty scar!

Day 313: Lane has really grown to love his little sister and is always giving her pats and kisses. Tonight he was helping her with her paci and trying to put it in her mouth. Elyse thought he was pretty great too and couldn't stop smiling. Cutest moment ever!

Day 314: Baby Elle's first pair of seven jeans. I just can't even handle it with these girl clothes!!

Day 315: The boys started aquatic therapy together today! Parker was in heaven...Lane not so much!

Day 316: Little sis is full of smiles in the mornings!! Love seeing little bits of her personality starting to come through!

.dietzen dictionary: orthotics {AFO's}.

Both Parker and Lane wear something called AFO's, which I have come to learn are foot orthotics. The dictionary definition is as follows:

AFO= (ankle foot orthotic) is an externally applied device used to modify the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal system

These are what Parker's AFO's look like. When you get custom ones, they let you pick the design and colors.

 

When I first joined the Joubert Syndrome facebook group, a bunch of the parents were talking about getting AFO's for their children. I had no freaking clue what they were talking about and started to frantically google what the heck these initials stood for. Once I figured out that they were foot braces of some sort I talked to Parker's physical therapist about it.

Because Parker was not weight bearing on his legs much, we waited a little while to get him fitted for his, however, in hindsight I should have gotten him fitted right away. When Parker stands, his ankles and feet turn inward and he is very unstable. Because of the awkward way he bears weight on his feet, it makes it much harder and as a result he was very hesitant to stand.

Once we got him his orthotics, I immediately noticed a difference in Parker's ability to stand as well as his confidence in standing. I think once he felt that stability, he realized that he could do this on his own. Parker didn't get his first pair of AFO's until he was about 2 1/2 but we got Lane his first pair when he was about 1 1/2 years old.

You can see Parker's foot curling and leaning inward forcing him to have a wider stance while walking.

We get them custom casted for their AFO's because they are much more tailored to the specific needs of the child and help in the specific problem areas. Lane tends to be more flat footed without much of an arch and Parker has a high arch so his feet roll inward. With the custom orthotic it targets that specific area and makes it so they are both standing with correct form and giving them the support they need.

One of the major benefits to having them wear the AFO's at such a young age is not only helping them stand and walk, but to shape their feet and train their bones and muscles to have correct form and to grow in a way that will create the most stable base for them. With Parker wearing them everyday now and walking, I can notice a huge difference in his feet and posture when he is not wearing them. Before I could tell such a difference when he was wearing them versus not wearing them, but now I can see the muscle strength and way his body has learned to have correct form even when not wearing them.

Parker's posture and stability are noticeably different while wearing his AFO's in the picture above.

These are not something the boys will always have to wear, but for now it is a major asset to helping them grow and develop. They will most likely be wearing them for quite some time, but they help so much that neither of the boys have any issues with me putting them on and having to wear them. In fact, if Parker knows he is going to be standing or walking, he will ask me to put on his orthotics. He knows how much they help and likes that extra support.

At first this was something that I struggled with. When the boys wear them, people can see that there is a special need. It is something that you can physically see that shows their difference. We get more stares and more questions, especially in the summertime (when they are more visible) but it has actually opened a lot of doors for me to educate people on what they are and how they help.

You can see the tops of the AFO's here as well as his thera tog suit (I will talk about this on another post)

These have been some of the biggest contributors to the boys gross motor skill development and I am so thankful for their current therapy team that encouraged the custom orthotics and has encouraged us to make wearing these a part of our daily routine. 

.#dietzenfameveryday2014 {week 44}.

Here are our snapshots from this week on Instagram:)

Day 303: My little Lane! Brightens up my day with his sweet smile :)

Day 304: Baby Elle's first flight. Weekend getaway for mom and dad (with a newborn tag along).

Day 305: After a great day at the Dave Ramsey Smart Conference listening to some amazing speakers, we all met up for dinner with good friends and family!! Love our Southern California community and miss them so much!

Day 306: We got to see the best roomie ever Erin and her hubby Jon and baby Jet for breakfast! So fun catching up and amazing how we just pick up right where we left off! Love you guys!

Day 307: After our weekend away, all Parker wanted to do when he woke up from his nap was snuggle his sister!! He missed her more than he missed us!!

Day 308: Pretty much the only calm moment of the day! It was one of those days where parenting just kicks your ass...one kid puking, one kid screaming, the other won't let you put her down. Good thing I was rested and relaxed from our mini getaway! All I could do was laugh and give lots of snuggles...better luck tomorrow :)

Day 309: Fishy selfies with my boy before horse therapy :)

.november goals.

Happy Tuesday! Cannot believe that it is already November and we will be in 2015 before we know it!!

Nick and I were so lucky to be able to getaway this past weekend without the boys (we brought along Elyse) to Southern California. We flew down to attend the Dave Ramsey Smart Conference as well as to spend time with some friends and family.

The conference was amazing and there was so much we learned. There was a group of about 9 speakers who addressed topics such as money, marriage, parenting, and personal development. There was so much to digest and I'm still journaling and working through what we learned. If any of you have the opportunity to attend this conference or any of Dave Ramey's live events I highly suggest it!!

With that being said, one of the common themes throughout the day was the importance of being intentional. And being intentional in everything you do. So often we let time go by and look back and wonder what we did with all our time, money, relationships, etc. and without being intentional and making a plan, it's easy to look back with regret.

As I said before, I am still trying to figure out exactly what this intentionality looks like in different areas of my life, but I decided I wanted to make some monthly goals to accomplish. Nothing life changing or enormous goals, but little things that I know I would like to accomplish each month. By writing them down it gives me accountability and I can look back and see if I accomplished what I had hoped. 

So here is my goals list for November:

1). Read 3 books.

I love to read, but finding time to read can be challenging at times. I am excited to accomplish this and have some really great books to read! One of the books I picked up at the conference this weekend is called The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers by Meg Meeker. I have read the first few chapters and am just devouring it...such great information and perspective!

2). Workout 3 Times a Week

Trying to get back in shape after my third baby has already proved to be challenging. The weather is changing and so running outside is much colder and not as inviting, but I am hoping to incorporate some T25 and running at least 3 times a week. Hopefully more, but with out schedule I feel like three times is possible to accomplish.

3). Try One New Recipe A Week

For the last few months we have been really intentional about meal planning and grocery shopping, however, we kind of get in a rut of cooking the same meals over and over again. I am excited for this challenge of trying a new recipe each week to add some variety to our meal plan and get creative in the kitchen.

4). Read 2 Books A Day with the kids

This might seem like a silly one but books are so instrumental in helping to build vocabulary and their language. Two books is a small place to start but if we can take some time everyday to read a few books it will be fun to spend that time together as well as help teach the kids something new and increase their language and vocabulary.

5). Spend 15-30 mins 3 times a week walking with the boys

Because of the boys therapy schedules and daily demands on their physical bodies, I don't spend as much time as I should walking with them in the walker. I always feel like home should be a place where they feel safe and can be themselves so I don't usually make them "workout" with the walker. This month I want to try and get them out and about in the walker so they get that additional practice...especially Parker since he is graduating to using these "sticks" and getting close to walking independently. 

6). Make 2 phone calls a week to friends

I know this one probably sounds ridiculous, but with 3 kids, I feel like it is nearly impossible to have a phone conversation without all hell breaking loose. I have some incredible friendships but I feel like all I do is text with them and texting is not the same as a phone conversation. I want to be intentional about continuing to invest in these relationships so I am going to try to find time to make two phone calls a week.

And that's all I have for now. I am excited about setting little goals like this each month and to look back over the year and see where I have been intentional and invested!