Happy Halloween, GoBAMA and Bad News Bears

Pictures (From Top):

-The Bad News Bears

-GoBAMA!

-The Pregnant Man

-Elvis "Willie Nelsone" Harrison

Halloween

Elvis loves Halloween and Willie Nelson just as much as his mom. Elvis looked exactly like Willie (just a younger version) in his costume! Elvis spent Halloween night with Grandpa Fred and Sherry, his first night away from home. He had so much fun and grandpa said that Elvis was a perfect little boy. He barely cried and he slept all night. While Elvis was away, we played. We attended Bianca and Christoph's awesome Halloween party at the SOHO Grand. I dressed up as SaMANtha Ronson (Katie Campbell was my Lindsay Lohan) and Brad was the Pregnant Man. We had a blast dancing the night away and as always, had some celebrity sightings that included the cast of Gossip Girls. I almost died when Chace Crawford walked into the room -he's sooooooooooo hot. But not as hot as Brad, of course.

GoBAMA!

We went to Liz Topp's UES apartment to watch Obama make history. New York (and everyone at the party) went crazy with happiness when the results came in. We watched Obama's speech on the big screen at the Raccoon Lodge. I will always remember that historical night! So long, Bush! Thanks for nothin'!

BAD NEWS BEARS

I'm sooooooooooooo glad that Heather moved to NYC from LA and Abby G. moved to NYC from Chicago. I've been telling them for years that NYC is the place to be! While I'm glad they are here, it's bad news bears when we get together, usually resulting in broken curfews, innocent people getting made fun of by Heather and Abby meeting really hot guys from London. Love it!!!!

Peace Out,

Team Harrison

Elvis is 8 Weeks Old!

Top Picture: Elvis and Cousin Carroll take a nap
Middle: Elvis 'Lunches' with Aunt Tami and Cousin Bailey
Middle: Elvis and Dad Keep Austin Wierd (thank you Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Tony for the onesie!!)
Bottom: Elvis chills after a bath

Happy 8th Week Birthday to Elvis!

Time has just flown by. Elvis has gotten so big and is still perfect, of course. He loves taking his nightly baths, being read to (Goodnight Moon is his favorite), listening to music (Rolling Stones and Nirvana lullabys are his favorite) and is starting to smile. He's starting to get stronger and can hold his little head up more. He's starting to focus a little too and will look around at lights and pictures on the wall. He's just so darn cute!!!!!!!

Elvis Heads to Texas

Elvis earned his first pair of wings from Continental Airlines. The Texas family just couldn't wait to meet Elvis and Mama K missed him soooooooo much, so I packed up and flew Elvis to Texas. Elvis was an angel on the plane - no crying at all! We had an amazing time in Laredo, visiting with Aunt Tami and Uncle Robert, Mama K, Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Tony, Grandpa Jim, and cousins Carroll and Bailey.

Highlights include:

• Watching Bailey's cheerleading performance at United Day School


• Cuddling with Cousin Carroll


• Hanging with Cousin Bailey - she bathed him and changed his diapers!


• Going to TWO birthday parties at Hal's Landing


• "Lunching" at the Laredo Country Club


• Playing dominos (Elvis just watched)


• Elvis was the guest of honor at on Saturday night and had a ton of visitors - Ram and Adriana Barrera, Carroll and Evelyn Summers, George Cigarroa, Ryan and Jerry Abdallah, Nicole and Ramon Villegas, Robert Saldana, Ysela Sandoval. Uncle Robert and Aunt Tami were so gracious - Robert cooked and cleaned almost everything!!!


• Elvis got to meet the wonderful Abdallahs, Pat and Ray, who hosted us at their house for Sunday spaghetti lunch that was yummy. I spent so much of my childhood at that house, it was wonderful to be back and to visit with the family.


• Going to Danny's restaurant for enchiladas


• Elvis visited my dad's house at 216 Belair and got to see the house that I was born and raised in
  

Maternity Leave is Over

As I head back to work on October 6th, I'm excited to get back into the swing of things but I'm going to miss seeing Elvis' perfect little face all day. Elvis' nanny, Myra, has been with us for a few weeks now and is WONDERFUL, Elvis already has a special bond with her and I'm confident she'll take good care of him.

To our Jewish friends - L'Shana Tova! May you have a happy and healthy New Year.

What A Difference a Month Makes!

Pictures (From Top)

• Elvis and Aunt Heather
• Elvis' Hugh Hefner look
• Elvis enjoys a pastrami on Rye at Katz's Deli
• Elvis chills on the beach in Cape Cod
• Brad and Liv

ELVIS IS ONE WHOLE MONTH OLD! What a difference a month makes!

BFF HEATHER VISITS ELVIS AND HAS SOME GREAT NEWS!
I was just chillin' with Elvis on a Thursday evening when Abby G shows up and in comes Heather behind her, surprising me with a visit all the way from LA. And even better, she was in NYC for some job interviews and informed me that she is moving to NYC! She's in the process of looking for a job so everyone please send her good job mojo! Abby, Heather and I enjoyed a great dinner at Thallassa (thanks to Heather's husband Dave for picking up the tab) in Tribeca while Brad and Mama K babysat. It was nice to be back in the real world again, enjoying some good friends, good food and good wine.

ELVIS' GROSS LITTLE BELLY BUTTON THING FINALLY FELL OFF
Thankfully, Mama K was changing him when it happened, but that gross little belly button stump finally fell out. After if fell out, we gave him his first REAL bath in the kitchen sink. He seemeed to like the water (kinda) and he loves wearing his monster head towel (from Aunt Abby G)and his Hugh Hefner bath robe (from AHA coworker Cheryl) after his baths.

ELVIS BRUNCHES AT NYC ESTABLISHMENTS - BUBBY'S AND KATZ'S DELI
Elvis rolled to Bubby's to enjoy a Sunday brunch at Bubby's. He had the eggs benedict and gave it 5 stars. He also had a great star sighting while there - none other than James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano) stopped by Bubby's and sat at the bar as we were finishing up brunch. Mama K was star struck and joined Mr. Ganolfini at the bar and shared the newspaper with him! Very cool.

The following week, Elvis took his first NYC cab ride and rolled to Katz's Deli on the Lower East Side. He ordered a pastrami on rye and loved it! He was hoping to catch JELVIS, the Jewish Elvis, but unfortunately JELVIS didn't show up. Oh well, next time.

ELVIS TAKES CAPE COD BY STORM
Team Harrison decided to make up for our July spent in the hospital by joining Aunt Shelly, Uncle Walter, and Cousins Erica and Dave on the Cape for a week in Wellfleet, MA. We had a blast!

-Elvis went to the beach and chilled in the sand under the umbrella
-We went to the drive-in theater and saw Pineapple Express - Elvis laughed really hard but says, "Say No To Drugs"
-Elvis went to P-Town (Provincetown) and thought the cute gay boys in pink speedos were funny

Special thanks to Shelly, Walter, Erica and Dave for helping out SOOOO much taking care of Elvis and special shout out to Shelly for taking the night feedings so we could sleep ALL NIGHT. That was awesome.

Angie and Brad FINALLY Have a Night Out on the Town

and it was a great one! First we hit the Raccoon Lodge to see all of our old friends. It had been closed for 3 weeks because of health department violations (I don't even want to know) so all of the regulars were there to welcome us back. Vinnie the bartender promptly served me a bud light and a shot of patron....ahhhh it tasted so good on my lips! Then we headed to the Rose Bar at Gramercy Park hotel for a party that Liv Tyler hosted (our BFF Bianca is her publicist) and had an amazing night with our friends Bianca, Colin, Josh, Katie, Christoph, Bob, Trevor, Tritt, Sharky, Angela, Stephanie, and a ton more . We also got some pretty good celeb sightings - Liv, Mena Suvari, Alan Cumming, Keith Richards, Dave Navarro and Quest from the Roots. Thank you to Abby G for babysitting!!!!!

Elvis's First Week at Home

Top Picture - Elvis rides home in his cool motorcycle onesie
Second from Top - Angie, Maggie and Elvis cruise Tribeca
Third from Top - Elvis and the Raccoon Lodge gang (Elvis is in the stroller)
Bottom - Elvis recieves his Hebrew name from Rabbi "Elvis" Robert Levine

Elvis's First Week at Home

Aug. 10 - Aug. 17

We brought Elvis home from the hospital on Sunday, August 10th. Grandpa Fred picked us up and we figured out the car seat situation and headed downtown to 275 Greenwich. Elvis wore his awesome motorcycle "coming home" outfit that Aunt Roberta and Uncle Jerry bought for him, he looked adorable!

Mama K has been a huge help in getting us situated and we are settling into Elvis' routine of feeding, changing, and sleeping. Thanks Mama K!

Exciting events for the week included:

• Lots of visitors!!!!


• 1st Visit to the Pediatrician - Elvis met his new doctor, Bridie, from Tribeca Pediatrics on Monday. She's very nice and pretty, Elvis has a crush on her already. His appointment went well. He was weighed, poked and prodded and given a clean bill of health


• 1st Ride in his stroller - We took Elvis for a roll around Tribeca and introduced him to all of our favorite neighborhood folks and places


• Aunt Maggie came to visit from Dallas


• His Bris (Circumcision) - see article below


• Elvis visits the Raccoon Lodge - we took Elvis for a cruise around the 'hood on Friday night and introduced him to the crew at the Lodge. He's the official mascot.

Elvis' Bris was held on Thursday, August 14th at Congregation Rodeph Sholom. Our family and close friends came to celebrate the fact that Elvis officially became a member of the tribe. Senior Rabbi Robert Levine (dressed as Elvis of course) led the ceremony along with Cantor Richard Nadel, who handled the snip! snip! Mama K had the high honor of bringing Elvis in and out of the ceremony and Grandpa Fred was the sandek, the person who held Elvis during the circumcision. Elvis handled it like a champ, he only cried a tiny little bit. Elvis was given the Hebrew name, Benyamin Yaakov, named after his paternal grandfathers, Jerrome Epstein (Leah's father) and Benjamin Harrison (Fred's father). Cousins Stacy and Abby were given the honor to hold Elvis during the naming but I accidentally forgot to hand him over! but in G-d's eyes, they were holding him. Cousins Abby and Josh gave Elvis a beautiful kiddush cup that he will keep forever and will use at his Bar Mitzvah. The ceremony ended with Rabbi Levine leading the group in a rendition of Elvis Aaron Presley's "Wise Men"

For additional pictures of the bris go to:

http://albums.phanfare.com/isolated/d7jToSgV/5185855/2564456

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=41bp63n.b14me583&Uy=-ku2n2&Ux=0&UV=222613491072_487571163603

For additional misc. pictures of Elvis's first week go to:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=p10uzrf.8zjs3p37&Uy=id7uzy&Ux=0&UV=277862371125_332862963603

Updated Pics of Elvis

Elvis Has Left the Building

Elvis James Harrison has FINALLY arrived. He was born on Thursday, August 7th via c-section at 8:38 AM weighing 7 lbs 12 oz and 20 inches long.

Mom, Dad and Elvis are rockin'

Thanks to EVERYONE for their visits, calls, goodies, and prayers!

SUPER DUPER SHOUT OUT TO MY AMAZING DOCTOR, DR. NATALIE MEIMARIS.

Special thanks to this week's visitors and/or goodies:

• Uncle Neil
  
• Emily and Jeremy Gould


• Chris and Kim from the Raccoon Lodge


• Helaine and Steve - thanks for the knit blanket and sweater sooooooo cute


• Margaret Mintz - thanks for bringing me coffee and The Post


• Damaris, Taylor and Bryan from AHA


• Donna Schragis - thanks for the book


• Brad's West Point buddies MJ and Spencer


• Mama C and Neil - thanks for the flowers


• Diane Haley - thanks for the ceramic box and lace top


• Abby G - thanks for the buttons and cool journal


• Vinnie from the Raccoon Lodge - thanks for the sweet card


• Everyone who called, texted, emailed, etc

Love You All,

Team Harrison

Bed Rest - Week 5 - The Countdown Begins...

Brad decorates the nursery - see related article below

Bed Rest Week 5 - July 27 - August 2
# of Days on Bed Rest - 37
C Section Date - August 7th 8:30 AM
# of Days to Go - 5

It's Almost Over

It's hard to believe that I've been here over a month and that I only have 6 more days to go until my feet will actually touch the floor and I'll be able to take a real shower. Not to mention that we'll have a new addition to Team Harrison. I know that all experiences in life are meant to teach a lesson of some sort, and I'm sure I learned a lesson but I'm not quite sure what it is. In retrospect, this has been such a wonderful opportunity to truly sit back and relax and not worry about work, social obligations, laundry, dealing with Brad all the time :), going to the gym, etc. It wasn't quite the summer vacation I'm used to, but it was a vacation nonetheless, and it's the first vacation covered by health insurance!

If You Plan on Visiting on Thursday - Saturday:

My surgery is scheduled for 8:30 AM on Thursday and I will be recovering most of the day so that's probably not a good time to come. I think the best time will be Friday and Saturday between noon and 8 PM. Just call or email Brad before to make sure it's cool - 917-656-5665 or bharrison@pointcap.com.

Mom Gets Here in 4 Days!

My mom flies in from Austin, TX, on Wednesday, August 6th - can't wait to get the mom treatment in person! She'll be staying through the month of August to help us out. Brad and I would like to thank Mama K in advance and also apologize in advance for the chaos that is likely to happen over the next few weeks. Only the strong can survive life at 275 Greenwich!

Speaking of Surviving Life at 275 GreenwichWe asked a few friends/family members to give Elvis some advice on how to survive at 275 Greenwich and below are some responses (some may be a little offensive and some are inside jokes, none are to be taken too seriously)

• F*ck is a BAD word, not matter how often mommy and daddy say it
• Aunt Stacy is only a phone call away and she has carbs at her house
• That's not formula, it's Daddy's muscle milk
• On Halloween mommy and daddy will always be gone all night and the nanny will take you trick or treating. It doesn't mean that they don't love you, it's just the one night a year that they will love you a little less
• Don't eat anything your mommy cooks or attempts to cook
• Don't judge or hold grudges, if you don' t know how, ask your mommy she's great at it
• The Raccoon Lodge is not a daycare/nursery
• From time to time, you will need to share your nursery with mom and dad's crazy friends to include people like "Artie the One Man Party" and "Vinnie the Bartender" but don't worry, Angie has hot friends like Jenny Guy that will stay with you too.
• Angie and Brad LOVE to get up at 11 PM, 1 AM, 3 AM, 5 AM, etc....
• What happens at 275 Greenwich STAYS at 275 Greenwich
• You won't be able to figure out the TV/sound system remote control until you get your PhD
• Don't sweat the small stuff - all the things that mommy and daddy are fighting about are small stuff
• Learn to be patient and answer all questions thrown at you (purple or pink onesie? MOMA or Central Park? Milk or Juice?)
• Always make it home before the sun rises (that's your mommy and daddy's motto)
• There will always be enough FU organic milk in the house for you
• Be prepared to be dressed up in stupid costumes and look ridiculous for your annual holiday cards
• When mommy yells at daddy, "Screw you, I'm leaving!" don't believer her, she'll be right back
• Make sure you always have the phone number to the Raccoon Lodge handy - 212-227-9894 - ask for Vinnie
• Life really is a party

What Happens to a Nursery When Dad is in Charge?
We travel to South Texas each year at Christmas to spend the week with my family in Austin and Laredo. At least one day/evening is spent at my brother in law's ranch where we eat, drink, laugh, drive around on the deer blind, make a fire, shoot skeet, ride the go cart, and have a good time. My brother in law, Robert, and brother, Tony, also take Brad deer hunting (sorry to all the Yankees who find this appalling but that's what we do in Texas). On Brad's first deer hunt, he shot and killed a nice sized deer and mounted the head and antlers and brought the ugly thing back to NYC with us. He desperately wanted to put it up in our apartment and I refused so Brad took the deer head to work and it lived in his office happily for a few years (it was funny to see Brad on the subway holding it on his lap). When Brad started working from home earlier this year, I was not too happy to see the deer head back at 275 Greenwich and I stashed it in the back of the guest room closet hoping Brad would forget about it. When we cleaned out the closet to get ready for the nursery, that damn deer head reared it's ugly head, literally! Brad decided it should be part of the nursery to ensure that Elvis had some Texas roots in his room. I was a little hesitant at first and then figured, "Why Not?" Brad attempted to mount the deer head to the actual crib (like a hood ornament!!!) but when that didn't work out, he settled for the wall (see picture at top of blog). You can take Elvis out of Texas, but can't keep Texas out of Elvis.

Special Thanks to This Week's Visitors

• Cindy Cutler and Margaret Mintz from my Bnei Mitzvah Class - thanks for the yummy lunch
• Cousin Abby - thanks for the yummy dinner and for helping out in the nursery, washing clothes, organizing, etc
• Katy and Emily
• John and Kim Fio Rito - thanks for the purse for me and sleep sack for Elvis
• Stephanie Stanford - thanks for the awesome Willie Nelson onesie!!!
• Liz Topp
• Anna Milner (Baby Mamma) and Christoph - thanks for the balloons
• Jared and Jill from Brad's WHENU days - thanks for the Seinfeld/Coupling DVDs and the flowers
• Cousin Erica - thanks for the Tasti DLite
• Helaine, Bryan, Melissa, Jannette and Barbara from AHA. Thanks to Melissa for the InTouch and People mags
• Bianca and Katie Campbell (coming all the way from Tennessee) - thanks for the awesome gifts for Elvis. Can't wait to use the Miracle Blanket (thanks to Lori Zlotoff from Rodeph for the heads up on the Miracle Blanket)
• Hilary Hersch from Rodeph Sholom - thanks for the B & W Cookie
• Cousin Linda Epstein - thanks for the beauty goodies
• Sister Tami for the awesome Yu-Be beauty goodies - I'm wearing the lip balm, lotion and moisturizing socks as I type this
  
• Cousin Leta for the How to Knit video and the yarn
• Aunt Rose for the beautiful necklace with heart pendant
• Brad's Grandma Lil in NJ and my grandma, Mama C in TX for all of the sweet calls
• Cousins Stacy, Erica, Heather and Linda for the awesome running stroller - can't wait to start running again!
• Thank you to Fred to helping Brad out at home, hanging shelves and putting together swings and stuff in the nursery
• Aunt Dixie - thanks for the AWESOME blanket
• My super secret surprise visitor Aunt Shelly - soooooooo good to see you and Swick and thanks for the Tasti D Lite

Shout Outs and Good Wishes:

• Happy birthday to brother in law Robert on 8-8
• Fast recovery wishes to Uncle Jerry in New Jersey who had a stent put in on Friday. Spoke to cousin Stacy and she said that he's recovering nicely at home. More importantly, he can still go to Argentina as planned next week!
• Fast recovery wishes to Aunt Faith in Connecticut who had foot surgery on Wednesday
• My condolences to the Harrison and Slobodin families who lost Aunt Jannette last week
• Congrats to Uncle Pete in California for finishing up physical therapy this week
  
  

SUPER DUPER SHOUT OUT TO BRAD FOR MAKING HIS PHASE I WEIGHT LOSS AND BODY FAT GOAL - He went from 211 lbs and 28 % body fat and is now down to 170 lbs and 9% body fat. Amazing but sometimes I feel like it was just as hard on me - have you seen Brad when he hasn't had carbs? He's a monster! But a skinny monster.

Have a great week.

xoxoxo

Angie