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

Bed Rest - Week 4

Top Photo: Blue Suede Shoes purchased by Brad to wear on Aug. 7th

Middle Photo: Intern Erin makes her delivery

Bottom Photo: The countdown continues

Bed Rest - Week 4 - July 20 - July 27

# of Days on Bed Rest - 31

C-section Scheduled for August 7th

# of Days to Go - 11

I still can't believe I've been in this damn bed for 31 days. Only 11 more days to go! Whooo whooo! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can hear the Beatles sing, "Here Comes the Sun" as unicorns graze in a field with a beautiful rainbow beaming. But then a crying baby enters the scene, the music stops and the unicorns run away. What does that mean?

Good Bye to Intern Erin

I look forward to 11 AM every morning, when Erin's smiling face comes through my door holding an ice cold Starbucks decaf coffee and the NY Post. Sadly, her employment will end at the end of this week as she heads to back to sunny California. Good luck on your studies in clinical psychology!

Happy Birthday Shout Outs

• Colin Gorman - July 25th
• My niece Bailey Summers - July 30th
• Maggie Parker - July 31st
• Josh Lipschutz - July 31st

What I'm reading/watching/doing this week:

• Weeds, Season 4 - Thanks to Annie for telling me about the free episodes on youtube
• Beware of God, Stories by Shalom Auslander - Thanks to Heather for sending the book
• Addicted to Facebook- I've reconnected with so many people from my different lives, I love it! This week I emailed/spoke to OLD SCHOOL friends Beth Villareal, Annie Garcia and Angie Castano that I've known FOREVER AND EVER growing up in that crazy border town, Laredo. I've also been able to commiserate with fellow ex-Laredoan Allison Zapata who has been on bed rest at her home in Houston for over 10 weeks.
• Watched a whole season of Intervention - thanks to Heather for giving me an itunes gift card for my bday last month, it came in handy. After watching 10 episodes back to back, I think I'm over it.

What's In a Name?

Many people have been asking why we are choosing to use the name Elvis. We don't have one particular reason and to be quite honest, neither of us are DIE HARD Elvis fans but here's the scoop:

• Brad is an Elvis fan. His love for Elvis began when he lived in Hawaii on the North Shore while in the Army. Brad's house was across the street from Elvis Presley's Hawaiian house. Also, Brad roamed the streets of the North Shore with some outlaw bikers (I don't ask) and for fun, the bikers would karaoke on Saturday nights and their "leader" would always sing Elvis tunes. I always think of outlaw bikers as beating people up and drinking/drugging heavily but I guess these were the fun-loving karaoke singing kind.
• When Brad and I first started dating, the first gift I gave him was a Velvet Elvis, a velvet Elvis portrait that hangs in our kitchen to this day. A few years later, I gave him an awesome kitschy gold Elvis head that I found at a flea market in Cape Cod that sits in our living room. Now you are thinking our apartment is tacky, but aside from these two objects, our apartment is decorated very nicely, I promise!
• When I was about 16 weeks pregnant, we went to dinner at a restaurant on the Lower East Side in NYC with our NYC crew, who mostly are from the great state of Tennessee. We started talking about Southern type names and one of them mentioned that we should name the baby Elvis. We laughed at first but then thought about it for a minute and I said, "You know, that is actually a cool name." Then, we looked up and there was a huge Velvet Elvis hanging on the wall looking over us! It was fate and I don't mess with fate - Elvis it was (even if it was a girl so thank goodness it's a boy).

Interesting Facts About the Name Elvis

• Elvis is a name that has its origin or roots in Scandinavia
• The name Elvis means "all wise"
• There are 15,179 people in the US with the first name Elvis out of the 303,572,544 people in the US. Of those people, 99% are males
• Statistics show that Elvis is the 1,495th most popular first name

Shabbat Shalom!

As many of you know, I converted to Judaism over 5 years ago. We were lucky to find a wonderful synagogue, Congregation Rodeph Sholom, that has welcomed us with open arms. I love being part of a congregation that values social activism, diversity, and most importantly - questioning and discussion. Since conversion I have joined various committees (Young Professionals, Environment, Community Concerns), participated in many social action projects (Mitzvah Day, Donation Drives, Darfur Solar Cooker Campaign) and completed my Bat Mitzvah. I didn't quite realize until being on bed rest, just how many important/meaningful relationships and friendships I have forged with the clergy and fellow congregation members. I've been blessed with numerous visits, calls, gifts and goodies from the clergy and members, and I am so happy to have these people in our lives. On Friday night, I was wishing I could get out of bed and join Shabbat services and I decided to have my own little Shabbat. I found a podcast of a Friday night Reform service (from Temple B'Nei Shalom in Fairfax, VA) and listened to it. As luck would have it, their service was very similar to the Rodeph Shalom's and used many of the same songs/formats that we do. It felt good to recite the Kaddish knowing that I was joining my congregants from afar. On Saturday morning, I looked up the Torah portion and did my own Torah study, although it wasn't nearly as insightful as it would have been with Rabbi Grushcow leading the discussion!

www.rodephsholom.org

Special Thanks to This Week's Visitors and/or Gifts:

• Sherry DiNapoli - thanks for the ALL of the nursery bedding - so generous of you!
  
• Abby Grozenski - thanks for the much needed disposable razors and the flowers
• Patsy Godines - thanks for the flowers and good wishes from Laredo
• Aaron Cain - thanks for the flowers - all the way from Iraq!
• John and So Young - thanks for the flowers
• Beth Frey -thanks for the visit and the cute stuffed animals for the nursery
• Amanda Pressner (my first roommate in NYC!) - thanks for the 2 visits and Tasti DLite
• Trevor Sumner - thanks for the visit and yummy dinner
• Rabbi Sari Laufer and Rabbi Leora Kaye - thanks for the visit and challah
• Heather Stiteler - thanks for the books
• Colin Gorman - thanks for the visit and the Tasti DLite
• Christoph - thanks for the visit and rubbing it in that you got to meet George Michael and hang with Chuck Bass from GG and Neil Patrick Harrison all night at the show - you ahole you are not supposed to have fun without me!!!!!
• Annie Garcia and Angie Castano - thanks for the calls
• Phyliss Wender - thanks for the AWESOME contoured sleeping face mask. It is pitch black with those things on.
• Reno and Julie Barrera - thanks for not forgetting about Brad and sending him his own gift, the pee catcher (to be used when changing Elvis' diaper, it guards against him peeing in your face - genius)

Special Group of Visitors - AHA YP Leadership

As part of my job at the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, I am lucky enough to be the staff liaison that works the the American Heart Association Young Professionals (YPs). It's a grassroots effort to raise awareness about Heart Disease and Stroke in the NYC Young Professionals Community. The group started about 5 years ago with about 10 members and has grown to over 50 members, raising $50,000 a year to support the AHA's mission of fighting heart disease and stroke. One of the best parts of the job is that I get to work closely with AMAZING and DEDICATED volunteers. The success of the YP group is due in large part to the YP Leadership that have led the committee to success over the past 2 years:

• Kate Coyne, President
• Faye Rogaski, Mission Chair
• Dina Pagnotta, Fundraising Chair
• Jennifer Butler, Membership Chair
• Cari Bederow, Treasurer
• Dr. Johnny Lee, Board Liaison

Faye, Dina and Jennifer are all stroke survivors (they are all in their 30s!), Cari lost her father to a heart attack, Kate works with the pharma industry and Dr. Lee is a cardiologist. They are all so special and they dedicate so much time and effort to the AHA/ASA, I can't begin to thank them enough.

I was SO happy when Kate, Faye, Dina and Cari showed up at the hospital with flowers and their smiling faces. We visited for over an hour and it made me think of how lucky I am to have a job that allows me to work with people like them for such a good cause.

www.americanheart.org/nycyp

Happy Travels to the Following:

• Sister Tami - have fun in Vegas
• Bianca - have fun in Tokyo with Liv and the Hulk
• Jeremy - hope you're not working too hard in Mongolia

xoxoxox

Angie

Bed Rest Week 3

Top Picture: Brad hogs the hospital bed as Angie and Brad wait for Elvis

Bottom Picture: The view from Angie's Hospital Bed

Week 3 - July 13 - 19

• # of Days on Bed Rest - 23
• New C-section Date - August 7th
• # of Days to Go - 19 - less than 1/2 way there!! Yeah

Happy Birthday to my brother Tony - July 20th - my family is celebrating together at the beach in Port Aransas, TX. They've assured me that they are not having ANY fun at all without me. That is so sweet of them.

We Found a Nanny - we managed to find a nanny on our first try. She was recommended to us by Cousin Lainie. Lainie is the person who set me and Brad up on our blind date so I told her she was two for two - she found my husband and now my nanny! Her name is Myra and she is from Guatemala. She lives in NJ and has an 11 year old son and has taken care of infants for more than 10 years. She will be joining the Team Harrison family on September 8th - I hope she's prepared for the chaos that goes on at 275 Greenwich!

Roommate Drama

I've managed to move rooms about 3 more times this week, which is always exciting for someone on bed rest. I've gotten to know so many women in various high risk situations. NYC is so diverse and it's been fun/interesting to meet women from all over and learn their stories. A few highlights (names have been changed):

• Lolita was my first roomie and my favorite. She's from the UK and is 38 with her second baby, she had her first when she was only 20 so it's been 18 years. She came in with preterm labor at 29 weeks and ended up having an emergency c-section a week later at 30 weeks. Her baby was born 3 lbs 9 oz and is doing well but will be in NICU for 4-6 weeks. Lolita had the best attitude and was so positive - she told me a quote she loves from the bible, "I am the victor, not the victim" that helped her get through her experience. I was amazed at how quickly she bounced back from her c-section and she said she was mentally getting past the pain so that she can be strong for her baby. I also loved the fact that she would get dressed in street clothes every day even when she was on bed rest to help her feel better.

• Sarah was my second roomie - she was very sweet but as I mentioned in my first blog, she had a very annoying high pitched voice, similar to that of Janice on Friends. It was painful. She was your typical Jewish American Princess from the Upper East Side (not to stereotype but I will). She was very high maintenance and full of anxiety. She was in for high blood pressure, which is not surprising due to her anxiety. She was only here for a day so I didn't get to know her thank well, thank God, because I couldn't take her voice for many more days.
  

• Rosie came in next. She was super sweet and was pregnant with her first. She came in for a shortened cervix - I'm not really sure what that is. She works for Eileen Fisher clothing and used to be Robert DeNiro's personal assistant. Her husband worked for the Rachel Ray show and was so so sweet, he would always bring in goodies and always brought me a Starbucks coffee. She is from New England and currently lives in NJ. After a few days, they sent her home on strict bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy.

• Jessica - I'm not sure where she was from, I think she was Jamaican or from one of the Caribbean Islands. Jessica came in at 22 weeks with preterm labor and had been here 2 weeks when we met, and will be here for the rest of her pregnancy, for a total of 14 weeks! Update - Jessica had an emergency c-section on Friday and unfortunately, the baby did not make it. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jessica and her family.

• Lauren - I was only her roomie for about 30 minutes because I got moved shortly after she arrived but Lauren came in with preterm labor at 24 weeks. She was by herself and was really scared and I could hear her crying through the curtain. My heart went out to her and I peaked at her through the curtain and said, "I'm Angie, don't be scared, everything will be fine but if you need anything at all just ask" and then I added "If it makes you feel any better, at least you can get up and pee, I have to go in the bed pan!" and she giggled and said thanks. As I left, I saw her reading the bible.

• Trouble - I never caught her name but this girl was trouble. I went back and forth feeling sorry for her and wanting to shake her but in 2 days I managed to get this information

-she was only 20 years old

-she was about 24 weeks pregnant with preterm labor

-her boyfriend got thrown in jail for 6 months (not sure what he did)

-she was homeless, she was trying to find housing when she was here and social workers were in and out of the room trying to help her

-she was a big girl and was diabetic but continued to eat cheeseburgers and chips and unhealthy foods

-the day her boyfriend got thrown in jail, she was determined to leave the hospital to get some things taken care of. The doctors came in and begged her to stay for the safety of her health and her baby's health and she left anyway. She didn't even have money for a cab, the social worker had to find a way to give her $20 for a cab

• The Girl With No Name and No Face - there is a girl in the next room that is on complete bed rest like me but I've never seen or since neither of us can get out of bed. I wonder what her story is?

Luckily, I've managed to get by without a roommate since Thursday so it's been nice having "Angie Time".

What I'm Watching/Reading This Week:

• Hopkins (TV show on ABC) - I love this show, it's a reality show that follows residents, surgeons and patients at Hopkins Medical Center.
• Still addicted to "Intervention" on A & E (TV show) -- no pun intended
• The Station Agent (movie)
• Brokeback Mountain (movie) - I forgot how good that was!
• To Kill a Mockingbird (original movie with Gregory Peck) - Boo Radley rocks
• Ira & Abby (movie) - thanks Margaret!
• sTori Telling by Tori Spelling - thanks Bianca
• When You are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris - thanks Liz

Thanks to This Week's Visitors and Gifts

• Brad gets the Husband of the Week Award again for continuing to be the best husband in the whole world, taking care of me, bringing me goodies and dealing with me when I get bossy or cranky. We've figured out that our max visiting time is 2-3 hours and then we get on each other's nerves but our favorite thing to do is cuddle in my hospital bed and take a nap together.
• Amy D from AHA - the chocolate covered strawberries were tasty
• Jane Chesnutt - sweet card
• Rob - thanks for the "How to Survive Pregnancy Bed Rest" book - it has some great advice
• Hannibal and Heidi - thanks for the beautiful flowers
• Veronica - thanks for Elvis' swing
• Liz Topp - thanks for the Tasti DLite and the David Sedaris book
• Fred and Sherry - thanks for the nursery bedding, can't wait to see it in the room all set up
• Cindy and Wito - thanks for the high chair
• Jules and Breda - thanks for the ice coffee and cookies - love you guys!
• Pat Slatt from Rodeph - thanks for bringing me the yummy Indian Food for lunch
• Dez and Kim from AHA - thanks for the cupcakes and scented hand sanitizer
• Kim and Elliott from the Racoon Lodge
• Jackie Linden, Marilyn Mauler and Margaret Mintz from my Bat Mitzvah class - thanks for the truffles
• Emily - thanks for the pizza
• Aunt Roberta and Cousin Stacy - thanks for the lunch, even though they put me on IV and didn't let me eat it!!!
• Rabbi Levine - thanks for the cards
• Cousin Erica
• Donna Schragis from my Bat Mitzvah class - I LOVE the pink nightie!
• Faye from AHA YPs - thanks for the massager and In Touch
• Jannette from AHA - thanks for the cheese and crackers, the chocolate covered banana/strawberries and the Wheel of Fortune computer game
• Taylor from AHA - thanks for going to get my sushi!
• Kate Coyne - thanks for the cutest elvis gifts and Tasti D Lite!
• Jane from AHA - thanks for the gifts!!!! Love the "Party at My Crib" tshirt
• Cousin Stacy - thank you sooooooooo much for going to Babies R Us to return all my stuff - you rock
• Bryan from AHA - thanks for the infant CPR training kit
• Mom - thanks for the Willie Nelson and Elegance books
• Lou - thanks for the sweet card and chocolate
• Cousin Abby - thanks for the M & Ms
• Marilyn Mauler from Bat Mitzvah class - thanks for the fruit salad

Love You All,

Angie

Mini Elvis Has Left the Hospital! Not be be confused with Baby Elvis!

Top Photo:  Shower host/hostesses with Mini Elvis

Middle Photo:  Angie and Mini Elvis

Bottom Photo:  Princess for a Day

Week of July 6th 

• # of Days on Hospital Bed Rest (as of July 13) - 17
  


• # of Days 'till Elvis Makes His Debut (if delivered on August 4th) - 21

Mini Elvis Attends My Hospital Baby Shower
My baby shower that was scheduled for this weekend unfortunately had to be cancelled/postponed - what a bummer. But all was not lost. My wonderful host/hostesses brought the shower to me! They worked out a deal with awesome nurse Lisa to find me a private room to host a mini shower. Although I wasn't able to be put in a wheel chair as originally planned, they wheeled my whole bed to a private room and my hostesses surprised me with goodies - a tiara, pink feather boa, and lots of yummy snacks to include peanut butter and banana sandwiches (in honor of THE Elvis) and brownies. Then, a special guest arrived....none other than Mini Elvis! I was in such shock I thought I was going to go into labor! Mini Elvis rocked the room, singing an amazing rendition of Suspicious Minds. Good stuff! Thank you so much to Cousin Erica, Cousin Abby, Bianca, Christoph, Emily and Katy for being the best hostesses in the whole world and for the adorable baby blanket for Elvis.

Home Sweet Home
As I finish week two on best rest, I'm starting to settle into life at Lenox Hill. What seemed wierd, uncomfortable or embarrasing at first just seems normal now

• I've gotten to know almost every single labor and delivery nurse at Lenox Hill - the good, the bad, the mean.


• Lenox is a teaching hospital andthe new batch of medical residents/interns started last week. It's so Scrubs/Grey's Anatomy! minus McSteamy or McDreamy. If only Dr. Addison worked here, I'd be good to go.


• I've mastered using the bed pan, giving myself a sponge bath, shampooing my hair and shaving my legs in bed, changing my sheets and putting on makeup with one hand and a tiny mirror.
  


• I've established my favorite sushi (Amber) and mexican place (Santa Fe Grill) to order in from on the UES.
  


• I've learned that you can't go wrong with the baked chicken from the hospital but anything else not a good idea.


• My modesty has gone out the window - I've managed to flash my "who haaa" and other parts to random people walking by my room and frankly, I don't care. If they don't want to see anything don't look into strangers' rooms!! So rude.

Things I'm SO OVER this week:

• Madonna, A-Rod, C-Rod, Guy Oseary


• Christie Brinkly and her perv husband


• Maria Menounos. Why does she continue to work? She has to be the worst reporter in the world and for some ridiculous reason they let her interview Obama on Extra. It was soooooo bad.

Things I've discovered this week:

• There is no shame in watching Lifetime Movies


• Intervention on A & E - man, that is some heavy stuff


• Instant Movies on Netflix (thanks to Taylor for the idea)

Special Thanks to this week's visitors and goodie senders- Love You All!

• Heather Jellison gets the BFF OF THE WEEK AWARD for being cool and awesome


• Margaret Mintz - thanks for the movie Ira & Abby, I'm 1/2 way through it, it's cute


• Cute postcard from Aunt Shelly and Cousin Erica


• Sweet note from AHA co-worker in Boston, Heidi


• Edible arrangement from Julie and Rene in Dallas


• Abby and Josh - thanks for the yummy cheeseburger and fries 


• Cousin Erica - thanks for the Tasti D Lite


• Christoph, Emily, Katy and Jeremy


• Abby Grozenski gets the VISITOR OF THE WEEK AWARD for highest # of visits-she comes like every other day - love her! Have fun in Vegas, so jealous.


• Cousin Lainie


• AHA co-worker Barbara Berger - thanks for the bag of goodies and the framed picture of Willie Nelson, he's on my bed side at all times


• Michael Lyons - love the beautiful flowers and sweet note


• Rabbi Grushcow


• AHA co-worker Kim Huddleston sent an amazing care basket with goodies and puzzles, I ate too many gummy bears!


• AHA co-workers Bryan and Melissa - thanks for the Page 6 Magazines and cool Elvis lunchbox


• AHA co-worker Cheryl G. sent the cutest onesies and bath robe set - thank you


• Lori Zlotoff and her cousin and the winner of the YOUNGEST VISITOR AWARD- 6 month old Abigail Zlotoff who took her first subway ride from Queens just to visit.


• Josh Melzer - thanks for the cool flowering tea pot


• Greg Parsons - thanks for all of the baby advice and words of wisdom


• Reuben and Ana Botello get the FURTHEST TRAVELLED VISITORS award. They came all the way from Laredo to see me! Or they just happened to be visiting NYC, not sure.


• Brad's West Point BFF Teddy Williams and Gina and their ADORABLE kids, Reid and CJ - thanks for the delicious brownies and goodies.


• Christoph's mom, Linda Miller, came all the way from Hendersonville, TN with the most adorable baby outfits


• Dana Bryant gets the COOLEST ELVIS PRESENT award for the driving all the way to Memphis from Hendersonville, TN for a Graceland original onesie and Elvis book. Too cute.

Welcome to the Team Harrison HQ Blog

Photos: Angie washing hair on bed rest - who needs a shower?!

Welcome to the new Team Harrison HQ Blog! This is my first official bed rest project dedicated to all things Team Harrison. In the future, this will be THE PLACE to get updates on Angie, Brad and baby Elvis (currently in utero but not for long).

Highlights of the Week (June 29 - July 5th)

The Bed Rest Blues

As most of you know, I was admitted to Lenox Hill Hospital on Friday, June 27th and have been sentenced to complete bed rest in the hospital for the rest of my pregnancy. Except for the bed pan and my roommate who sounds like Janice from Friends, it's not too bad. I've managed to do the following in the past week:

• Catch up on celebrity gossip (In Touch, Us Weekly, People, Star, etc)
• Read "Escape", which I recommend. It's about the crazy FLDS polygamist cult and a woman who is forced to marry a 50 year old man when she was 18, becoming his 4th wife and then having 8 kids in 15 years!
• Watch Juno, Knocked Up and Kite Runner
• Hire an "intern" off of craigslist to deliver my Starbucks decaf iced coffee and NY Post every morning
• Find someone to give me a manicure/pedicure/eyebrow wax in my hospital bed
• Get some "real" AHA work done and prepare to take my leave a little earlier than expected

How to Reach Angie

Lenox Hill Hospital

100 East 77th, between Park and Lex

Room 673 W

New York, NY 10075

Direct Room Phone: 212-434-3767

Main Hospital Phone: 212-434-2424

Angie Cell: 646-283-0908

Brad Cell: 917-656-5665

angie.harrison@heart.org

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU - for all of the flowers, goodies, calls, and visits. Special shouts outs to the following visitors:

• Brad Harrison gets the Visitor of the Week Award for trekking up here everyday with amazingly delicious and healthy home cooked meals AND for being the best husband in the world
• Kay Hale gets the Mom of the Week Award for calling and emailing every 5 seconds for updates and gossip
• Tami Summers gets the Sister of the Week Award for checking in while managing her crazy life with her teenage son and 11 year old daughter and husband who managed to go to the hospital for cutting himself while opening a beer bottle
• Abby Lipschutz and Stacy Lettie get the Cousins of the Week Award for helping Brad manage the household and ensuring the nursery is going to be ready
• Awesome AHA co-workers Helaine, Andrea, Melissa, Maria G., Taylor, Damaris and Bryan
• Rodeph Shalom members and fellow Bnei Mitzvah classmates Marilyn Miller (thanks for the cake) and Helen Towers (thanks for the fruit)
• Rabbi Sari Laufer for bringing challah and grape juice on Shabbat
• My NYC crazy crew - Bianca, Emily, Colin, Jeremy, Katy, and Christoph
• Abby G -thanks for helping me wash my hair - it was beginning to smell!
• Phyliss Wender - thanks for the orchid
• Elyse Blazey
• Dina Oppedisano - thanks for the In Touch and ice coffee
• Sherry DiNapoli
• Memo Trevino - loved the sunflowers!
• Thanks for the flowers/balloons/goodies from the crew at Raccoon Lodge (Vinne, Jules, Breda and Dave), Maggie & Richard, Heather & David, and Monica Saavedra
• SO many calls and emails full of good wishes and cheer from 'yall!
• Looking forward to visits today from BCFS (best cousins forever) Abby, Stacy and Erica!

Elvis Due Date Update

Original due date was September 1st but it looks like it may be the week of August 3rd via c-section - more information to come.

Brad Wins Push Up/Pull Up Contest at Equinox

Congrats to Brad for winning a members only Equinox push up and pull up contest. He came in first place with 82 push ups in 60 seconds, followed by 60 seconds of rest and then 22 pull ups in 60 seconds (official results).