The Italian Adventure - Part II

We've been out and about quite a bit the last few days, eating as much pizza as we can, visiting with friends, and seeing more sights. As we wind down to our last week here we find more and more things we would like to do before we leave so our days have been pretty packed. Heck we've even been out during siesta time which really makes us look like American tourists!

We had our first "Max Emergency" tonight when I noticed he was covered in a red, welty rash as I helped him get his PJs on.  I immediately called Max's godmother (the pediatrician) and we received our first ever "house call".  Max was extremely impressed with the concept of the doctor coming to him as opposed to him going to the doctor in the ER. I'm praying this doesn't spoil him for our next ER run to Phoenix Children's! As of now we're on an antihistamine and we'll see where that gets us. I must admit I chuckle every time a doctor asks me if Max can swallow a pill or not....this leads me to believe that not every eight year old can swallow a fist full of pills in one gulp. Who knew?

I want to wish everyone a happy, HEALTHY new year from all of us! Enjoy tonight's presentation of the Marangella's "Italian Adventure"!

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From Italy with Love

May this Christmas bring you joy and the New Year bring you health and happiness! 

We thank all of our friends and family for all you do for us all year long. Without your love and support we would not have made it this far. Our love to all-

Michele, Patricia, Ellie and Max

The Italian Adventure - Part I

If it's Italy it must be churches, narrow streets, the sea, and of course FOOD! We've been out and about this week, as the cold rainy weather has permitted, doing the "touristy thing". The kids are having a blast, at least half of the town now knows Max as he passes the shops and houses greeting everyone with "Buon Natale".

Enjoy a glimpse of our adventures!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Arrivederci Arizona!

A few weeks ago we had an incredible surprise that I haven't shared with anyone because I was afraid it would jinx us.


This year Michele's parents decided enough was enough, they wanted to see their grandchildren. Because they are no longer able to travel they realized the only way to do so was to bring the "mountain to Mohammed". Without a word to anyone they took the money they had been saving for the last two years and sent us tickets. At first I refused the idea because I have an incredible fear of taking Max out of what I consider my “comfort zone”. What if something happened and Max needed a doctor? Michele quickly reminded me that Max’s godmother is a pediatrician doing research on rare genetic disorders at a large medical center for children. I guess I had to strike that concern from my list. As I continued down my list I realized I really didn’t have any valid concerns or at least none I could use to keep us home. In the end I decided it would be stupid to pass up a free trip to Europe and began to pack our bags. 


So here I sit in my in-laws' living room updating the blog. The whole thing still feels odd, a bit like returning to the past. Michele and I decided this morning that in the last ten years absolutely nothing has changed here, time seems to have stood still. Of course it's all new for Max so it's interesting to watch his reaction to it all. In fact, he told us that the best part about this trip was flying in an airplane that wasn't going to one hospital or another for one surgery or another. It seems rather sad for an eight year to come to this realization on his own. 


The kids have been adjusting well to the time change but then Ellie never has a problem with sleeping and Max just doesn't sleep at all so it all works out in the end....sort of. The kids are enjoying the pasta, pizza, and ice cream while Michele and I concentrate on the wine. It's a tough job but someone has to do it!


Be sure to stay tuned for more news on "Max Conquers Europe"!

Top Model

It was a quiet weekend filled with the "simple things" in the life of a chronically ill child, one trip to the pediatrician, one trip to the lab for blood work and one trip to the allergist. That Max he sure knows how to live!

Yesterday, however, we were able to get out and have a little fun. Max was invited by his friends at Room for Joy to participate in their charity fashion show. We all know that Max jumps at any chance to be the center of attention and we’re always quick to lend a hand to an extremely worthy organization.

It was a great day with appearances by Santa Claus and the “Bat Mobile”. Max was just adorable and has decided he should wear more hats! This is particularly funny coming from a kid who doesn’t even notice if his hair is brushed or not….

Mr. GQ getting his pose down!

"To the Bat Cave?"