Baby + Book = Joy, Triumph, Exhaustion, Awe, Amazement, Exhaustion

When Andrew and I first moved to China in 2006, I had two dreams:

1. I wanted a baby.
2. I wanted to publish my novel Thirsty.

Each morning during that first year in Shanghai, I swam somewhere between 50 and 80 laps in our apartment compound's pool. With each stroke, I chanted (silently, of course, since my head was usually underwater):

baby
book deal
baby
book deal
baby
book deal

I'm a big believer in the power of positive thinking followed by positive action.

So each day I swam, visualized, and chanted.

Then I dried off, sat down at my desk, and worked my ass off.

Now, three and a half years later, my 18-month-old daughter is taking a nap and I'm organizing blog tours and readings in Pittsburgh for the launch of Thirsty (October 2009).

It's glorious.

And exhausting.

It's exciting.

And overwhelming.

It's exactly the happiness I imagined.

It's bigger and better than the happiness I imagined.

Of course, I do need to find/create a little balance. That became clear yesterday when a friend asked, "Are you doing anything but spending time with Tully and working?"

Hem. Haw. Hem. Haw.

"Uh, not much," I finally responded, then started thinking:

Well, I went to the Salvador Dali exhibit here in Shanghai on Saturday, but I was home by one o'clock working away in my office.

And I watched a pretty bad movie with Andrew recently, but numerous times I hit "pause," visited my computer for email updates from my publicist, and was completely focused on anything but enjoying either the film or hubby.

And I did force myself out for a foot massage last night with a friend, but then worked for two more hours when I got home, stumbled to bed at 11:15, got to sleep at midnight, then rose again at 5:30 a.m.

So yes, really, right now, there's little else but baby and book.

Recently a friend (the wondrous poet Sage Cohen) who also has been nurturing a baby and a book instituted a "Saturday Sabbath" in her home. Every Saturday, from now on (in Sage's words) "all work comes to a halt and the family simply relaxes, enjoys each other, and follows the threads of curiosity and delight wherever they might lead us."

Great idea, isn't it?

I'm considering follow Sage Cohen's lead.

I asked for my dreams. I worked for them. I got them. Both of them. Baby and book. I'm grateful and know how lucky I am. But now I've got to follow through with a little balance.

Here's a recent look at the baby:

Technorati Tags: Kristin Bair O'Keeffe, Shanghai, China, Thirsty, first novel, baby, Tully, writing

Comments

[Dawn Herring]

Love those ponytails! My mom used to do that with my daughter's hair at that age. Congrats on your Thirsty publication. Glad for you that your dreams have come true. That Saturday break is very smart. I look forward to my Saturdays for the same reason.
Thanks for another fun and eye opening post. Balance!

Dawn Herring

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