New Hampshire kicked my ass. Yup, that about covers it.
Would you like me to elaborate? My first two book events- signings in Peterborough and Portsmouth- were disastrous. The first was rained out (only after I took the time to set up my entire booth), and the second was completely dead, due to the fact there was a huge theater event going on in town. Add to it the fact that little Vijay was not quite the road warrior I was hoping for (pretty much refusing to sleep during the night), and you have a recipe for disaster.
By the time I arrived at
Squam, I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Luckily, I held it together for the
Squam Art Fair- which was a huge success.
Elizabeth, my dear, YOU know how to throw an event!
I shared a table with
Sarah Ahearn Bellemare, whose darling little Ada is the model road warrior. I wish she would give Vijay some tips.
After the fair, I decided to make the push for home, driving through the night and arriving, in tears, on our doorstep at a little after midnight. Most babies would sleep during a quiet, dark ride...but not mine! Nope- he decided to cry for the last hour of the ride, and soon, I was crying right along with him.
Once home, I vowed never to leave again. But we rested on Sunday, and by this morning, I was feeling much better. Who's up for a roadtrip? Kidding- I think we are going to take it easy for a while. Vijay has morphed into the "happiest baby alive" now that we are home. What a homebody!
A few things that I am loving right now:
*My book received a mention in
The New York Times Sunday Book Review yesterday. A big thanks to
Dominique Browning for including me in her review!
*I bought
this little pouch (but in
blue vintage ticking) from
Jill Bent at the Squam Art Fair and it has changed my life. Seriously. I used to have my wallet, keys, lip balm and phone flying around the diaper bag, and I was forever digging for them. Now, I keep my things separate in this pouch, and never have to search. Why didn't I think of this sooner?!
**all picture here are from my time at
Squam Art Workshops**
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My goodness! It sounds like you were a trooper through it all though. So glad you have time to rest and relax now. Welcome Home!
My oldest was the same way in the car. It didn't matter if it was a roadtrip or a quick trip to the store. He was miserable. My middle son went through a phase where car trips were horrible, too. Maybe it's a boy/age thing.
your photos are SPECTACULAR!!! seriously-- off the charts-- oh my god honey-- you are SO in need of a FLIPPING VACATION . .. . .xoxo, E
oh you poor thing. <3 do i ever remember what road trips with a squabbling little one were like!!! it won't always be like this love, just remember that.
Nothing like a crying baby to jangle ones nerves. Glad he is back to happy.
Um, you buried you headline, Christine. YOUR FIRST BOOK WAS IN THE NEW YORK TIMES SUNDAY BOOK REVIEW! That is huge, huge, HUGE! Congratulations!
Oh girl, you are not alone. Trey was a horrible traveling man at Vijay's age. I completely remember driving to the Jersey Shore to meet my family and him crying for the last hour and a half of the drive, while we were in bumper to bumper traffic. He was red, sweaty and a mess, and so was I. Glad the fair went well and that you made it home and now have a happy little guy.
xoxoxo
Thea
Nice to see you Christine and welcome back to your home!
I was kind of smiling and crying a bit while reading your post! Oh my, I can't tell you how I can feel your pain! A crying, miserable baby in the backseat is just about as bad as it gets in terms of sanity. But, I'm glad the fair went well..the pics are gorgeous! Enjoy the happy time now:)