LA Book Fair 2010 (The Legend of Bernadette Peters)

Earlier this week April and I had the following conversation:

Steve: (Silently reading the LA Times spread on the upcoming book fair)


April: "Any big names at the book fair this year?"


Me: "Um-let's see... Buzz Aldrin is going to be there, and it looks like Bernadette Peters, and-um-also..."


April: "Bernadette Peters!? She's a Legend!"


I'm sorry Mr. Aldrin, but apparently piloting the Lunar Module during the first manned lunar landing in history and then WALKING ON THE MOON does not qualify you as a legend.
Unfortunately we missed Buzz at the fair, however, we did see Bernadette Peters as well as a guy who was signing books as Bill Peet but who wasn't actually Bill Peet. We also heard Peter sans Paul and Mary perform Puff the Magic Dragon and April ran into Amber Tamblyn, who could not get enough of William.

The LA Festival of Books is the world's largest book fair and is an official Garff Family tradition. This year we saw the sights with our good friends The Reynolds and the Titeras.

Later we enjoyed burgers at the Apple Pan, one of our favorite LA haunts.

Post Baby Marathon Madness

Liam and I went up to Salt Lake City for almost a week so I could run the SLC Marathon. Training for the marathon was good motivation to get back into shape (though I can't really say that I'm back in shape...yet). We chose this marathon because of the proximity to babysitters (thanks Karen, Mom, and the Irwins!).

Liam loved looking out the window, but unfortunately for everyone who sat next to us, he did not enjoy the plane ride experience. Luckily for us, we sat next to nice grandmas who understood.

It was nice to see family and friends again. Since the Irwins couldn't get back home to the UK due to the airport closures, I got extra time with them! Though we missed Steve (who had to work) we got to do (almost) everything and see everyone we wanted to. This included Stacy's baby shower, my cute new nephew Daniel, the teacher I student taught for, and of course lots of family time.

My brother-in-law, Mike, and I ran the first few miles together and split up where the 1/2 splits from the marathon course since Mike was running the half marathon. I felt good until about mile 16 or so, when I started to slow down and wear out. After mile 20, it was slow going. I was chugging along at a snail-like pace of 9:00-9:30 per mile. This is compared to the 7:00-8:00 minute miles I used to do pre-pregnancy.

Thanks, Leslie for snapping this great picture during the race! Leslie is a tough triathlete who was nice enough to bike along to cheer me on for a bit during the late teen miles. I was tired and it gave me some motivation to keep going.

I finished in 4:01, which was right about target (I was planning a 4 hour race). Overall, I'm glad I did it, but might give myself more time to train post-baby than 4 months so I could do a better job next baby. I started running again yesterday, and felt pretty good. I want to try to do a few more races this summer to get back into racing shape. Got to get that PR in St. George this fall!

Though it was nice to get away, it's always nice to come back home to a sweet husband who shows up with flowers.

If You're Happy and You Know It

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home (and ANTM)

Glad as I can be!

Steve was the first one to get him into a laughing fit. Liam sure loves his Dad!

And for those of you who love America's Next Top Model...Here's Liam with the latest from the Babies R Us Menswear Collection.

We went swimming with our friends the Cralls last week and I couldn't help but snap this gem:

Big Promotion

I gave my two weeks' notice on Friday because I interviewed and accepted the following position 4 months ago:

Position

Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Momma, Ma

Job Description

Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.

Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

Responsibilities

The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.

Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

Possibility for Advancement and Promotion

Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

Previous Experience

Unfortunately, none required. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

Wages and Compensation

Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thingabout this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

Benefits

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

Also because I was tired of getting these:

I will miss my friends at Progressive, but my new promotion offers much bigger rewards (albeit much greater challenges). It's too hard to do both jobs well.

Plus, the compensation is much bigger at my newest position as "Mom":

After cleaning out my desk, Liam and I went to the beach with our "LA Mommy Club", consisting of Bri, Julie, and Karyna (and their babies).

Liam wasn't too sure about the cold ocean waves, but he did seem to like the wet sand.

Our day in LA left him pooped. When I got home, He looked like this:

We had a great weekend listening to conference and spending an afternoon with Dave and Mary Lou and family (even though Liam slept through nearly every session of conference)

It's hard to believe my little baby is already 4 months old! I know everyone says this, but he is really growing so fast for such a little guy. He is now a shade over 13 lbs. and 24.5 inches long.

Pretty soon he won't even fit in these cute pjs that he was once drowning in.

We'll miss these puppy feet jammies.

There Were 10 in the Bed and the Little One Said:

"Roll over, roll over."

The First of Many, Many Firsts

The last few weeks have been jam-packed with new experiences for Liam.

We went swimming (he loved it!)

He had his first St. Patrick's Day, which included his second holiday-themed "flirt shirt"

He also had his first real laugh (kind of a squeal, with a "ha") and rolled over for the first time, both of which Liam has refused to repeat on command so we have been unable to catch it on video.

And the big fun, first trip to Disneyland

This happened to coincide with my brother Philip and his family coming to town. I loved spending time with my niece Abby, and nephew Spencer.

Liam even got his very own pair of Mouse Ears to match Mommy.

We also got ears for my neice and nephew.  

The above picture is one of my favorites. The kids look so cute as MousetEARS! Abby earned her ears by going on Tower of Terror twice and also Space Mountain. She was so scared that she even wanted to say a prayer for courage before getting on the ride. Lightening McQueen especially loved his ears. It made his day.

I especially loved Spencer's face in this photo. As you can see, he is VERY excited to be here. He made this same face when he found out he was getting Lightening McQueen ears.

Liam, unfortunately (for him), slept through many rides.

but he was awake for "It's a Small World" and "Monster's, Inc."

We went to CA Adventure with my friend Jen and her little boy, Matt as well as with my brother's family. Sorry my face looks kind of weird in this photo.

Disneyland also included Liam's first date with Kate and her mom, Dagny. Dagny is a friend of mine from college.  We had all our classes together for a few years.

With the first date was Liam and Kate's first time holding hands. They really hit it off. Dagny said that she isn't opposed to arranged marriages, so we might even get to be family one day...

Liam also got to take home a souvenir Mickey.  We were going through the gift shop to get a gift for Steve (who had to work and couldn't come) and his face lit up when I showed him this Mickey.  I couldn't resist getting it for him when I saw how happy he was.

Needless to say, our Disneyland adventure left him pooped.  Good thing we have season passes.  We'll be back soon!

Fitness Buff

Liam has added new skills to his workout routine:

Pushups

And Swimming (thanks for the tips, Juie and Rush!)

Grandma Visits

My mom came down last weekend to see her grandson and the new place. It was nice to have her company and her help. William clearly enjoyed hanging out withhis grandma as well.

Uncle Dave and Aunt Mary Lou even swung by for a barbecue.

At Catherine's request we took the oprotunity to get some updated family portraits. Mom took them in the back yard.

Come back soon.