still *itchy!

Paradoxical reaction 

( PAR*A*DOX*I*CAL adjective : Seemingly absurd or self contradictory)

to Atarax 

(AT*A*RAX noun : a state of serene calmness.)!?!

This is what we were hoping for.

This is what we got... angry

and strung out!!

Bye bye Atarax! You really turned our world upside down!

After a week we figured it out, the crying and screaming were most likely due to a paradoxical reaction to her new medicine. It was like she was possessed! Really! I was about to call a priest when the ICU nurse in my head started to whisper sweet nothings in my ear!

By sweet nothings I mean, a nasty diagnosis that would eventually, well,... lets not go there!

So I got on the phone and called the emergency clinic, got an appointment and flew out the door. After being repeatedly reassured that Marlo did not have Cardiomyopathy, PJRT, acute gastric volvulus, demonic possesion or some yet undiagnosed disease, I still felt a little crazy but more optimistic.

Needless to say, my ICU personality has been voted off the island leaving only her sisters 'sanity' and 'calm' to talk to. They said, "take a xanax and COOL IT MAMA, you have a whole lifetime of worries ahead of you, so PACE YOURSELF!"

"Oh, and join a few more wine clubs!"

she sure is *itchy!

Some of you know that we have been battling the big bad Eczema monster that invaded Marlo's little body.

We have all been having a hard time. Marlo went from being sweet and loving to CRAZY! This is a look at our visit to the dermatology clinic.

"Ladies just sit tight while moms check us in"

As if this was really possible. Now, I realize that it is not right to leave two 6 month olds unattended on a couch, but don't go calling the authorities; it was for the sake of the blog.

Marlo: Ha! They aren't watching! I can make my move! Slowly... slowly.

Eme: Moms, Moms? Marlo is...

M: "Hey, don"t be such a baby Eme" "Tattle-tale!!!"

E: " Moms? Really, Moms?

M: "Now I've really got cha!!"

M: Ha Ha Ha Ha He heheheh Muahahahah!

E: "Maaaamaaaa!!!"

Moms: "What's going on here girls?"

"What? I'm not doing anything! Im just looking into Latisse, do you think I need it mom?

"Look at me so big in this exam chair."

"You said no shots, right?"

And so concluded our trip to the Dermatologist- no shots, just some ooey gooey creams and a prescription for Atarax.

Sweet dreams Marlo, and good bye Eczema!

happy birthday pepa!

Dear Pepa, Feb 1, 2010

I did not have the chance to meet you, but I really wish I had. You probably know this, but your family is amazing. What a legacy you have left the world. I truly thank you from the deepest parts of my being for letting me be a part of it all. I am so proud to have been able to add two little ladies to the Wiersch clan. I promise to raise them right, with Andi's help, and always make sure that your memory is a part of their life. You and Mema did it right and are an example to all of us. When you find love, hold on tight with both hands and take the ride of life together. Along the way so many good things will appear. Thank you Pepa for being the roots of this ever-expanding, colorful, extraordinarily breathtaking family tree. We hope to always make you proud!

XO

Maria

This is a look at Pepa thru my Buddy's eyes!

Among many other things....

All I ever needed to know, I learned from Pepa:

• smile
• appreciate what you have
• eat what's on your plate
• love your body
• walk--it's good for you
• eat the skins -- that's where all the good stuff is
• dance and sing -- even if you look goofy and sound funny
• offer a compliment -- it will make someone's day
• appreciate beautiful women
• if you make a mistake, learn from it and move on
• don't spend it if you don't have it
• ask do you really need that?
• make your family your priority
• give hugs and kisses freely and often
• live your life so that you can say, if I died today I have no regrets and I have lived a rich and full life
• take lots of pictures--your kids and grandkids will appreciate the memories.

6-ish months

Jan. 3rd marked the 6 month for our two little roommates.

So brave, they have endured many many days of our muddling thru motherhood.

(Eme has mastered the death stare that has been passed down for generations in my family!)

They have always held hands and I hope they always will.

Be good to each other and to yourselves ladies.

In honor of the big day we celebrated the best way we know how!

Cupcakes, our besties, and of course, no milestone is complete without a kitchen dance party!

These two are so special to us (Annika and Court)- they were there just moments after the ladies made their debut! The girls love them so much and we are so lucky they love our girls!!

Note the cupcakes are not pictured... we made quick work of them!

It is hard to be away from family, but we love knowing that we have made a family here. No blood lines, just a constant flow of love, understanding, patience and laughter! Thanks!

For those of you who are keeping track... and wel,l that's probably ALL of you right?

Here are the 6 mo. stats!

Emerson (aka birdie, pepita, and Eme) 16 lbs neat! and a mere 26.7 inches short.

She is a smiling little bundle. She melts your heart and then tears off your eye-wear. She currently is enjoying the joys of eating new foods, taking long strolls along Greenlake, rolling over, and laughing her tush off with her sis. They have really discovered one another and no one can make these gals laugh louder than each other! They powered thru their 6 mo. shots, not a tear in sight. (Well, that is what i told myself, I actually wasn't there; I was in bed sleeping after night shift).

Emerson's goals for next month include continuing to help her moms train for the half marathon, crawling, and maybe, just maybe, ingesting her first cheerio without choking to death! Stay tuned!

Marlo (aka Kuka, LoLo and sometimes just plain CRAZY) the heavyweight champ of Wallingford- 17.5 lbs and 27.2 inches of super-duper silly.

Marlo is a spirited little gal who also is enjoying new foods, although not a much as her sis, we really have to ham-it-up to get her to open wide (except for carrots- her fave). Walks around Greenlake really make her day after having coffee with her aunties at one of the few Starbucks located in the Seattle area. Laughter and silliness are her greatest skills thus far, only second to the most powerful scream I think the world has heard. She would be a great screamer for the horror films. Drama is definitely in her future. We hope to harness this energy and get her on some reality show.

WHAT? Don't judge!

Marlo's goals for next month include sleeping thru the night again, helping moms train, and crawling. We also hope to get this little's eczema under control; I can't even imagine how her life will improve when she is not constantly taking time-outs to claw at her face.

Well, thanks for reading and I hope you smiled, laughed, or were entertained for a bit.

We are enjoying every minute of this crazy life!

how i dread the day

Some day when she is away from home and "all grown up", a scene similar to this will play out.

I only hope that when she calls, I remember what it was like to be that age.

It always seems like a good idea after a couple of drinks to go home with a cuddly monkey

Until you wake up

What have I done?

I am so ashamed!

Why hasn't he called?

My lovie, I will be there for you always, to dry your little tears and kick the butt of any boy that makes you cry!! ( or any girl if that is the way life turns out for you)