They’ve got suggestions on a ton of things – from how to clean little Legos to how to use crib parts to create a garden trellis, baby proof a wood burning stove or build a quilt rack. What I like most is that other parents chime in with their ideas and solutions. And people are incredibly creative.

I’m heading back to the site now to look for how to clean up after pink eye. Ugh. I’m nervous about throwing soft blocks and dolls into the washer…but better that then pink eye sticking around.

Kids really are little germ magnets. I wonder if there’s some kind of bubble suit I can dress Nadia in.

I’ve also been on the search for a bubble wand for the baby shampoo I use, so that we can blow bubbles in the bath. Here’s what I’ve found so far…but I’d like to find a non-plastic solution. I’ll keep hunting and if you know of one, please share.

Well I’ve taken the concept, applied it to baking and stretched it over a fortnight instead.

I decided to make a batch of my sweet relief orangey oat bran muffins. So I got down the mixing bowls, measuring cups and ingredients. Then soon realized I was missing some.

I made a list, which I promptly misplaced. I remembered one item. Then a few days later I’d remember another.

A week went by and the stuff still occupied a prominent space on my countertop – taunting me.

Finally I thought I had it all. I began mixing, only to realize I forgot the oats. Argh. A quick call to my neighbour resolved this potential setback.

I did it. It took me two weeks, but I did it.

And when I bit into the warm delicious comfort of a freshly home-baked muffin, I was gently reminded that what used to take me an hour, might now take a couple of weeks. But it’s even more delicious now.

Last night I watched a movie that filled me with energy so afterwards, I decided to get some work done. I couldn’t get to sleep until past midnight. I was thinking: “Well she’s been sleeping through the night now and then, I’ll probably get at least six hours.” Nope. 

She was up every two. Now it’s morning and I’m paying for it. My eyes are burny and as my husband sweetly reminded me, I should really try to sleep when she’s sleeping. “I KNOW!!!!!” 

But when the choice is between sleep and actually getting something done, it’s just so tempting to get something done. Am I right!

I also made another terrible mistake last night. When I did get up to feed my girl, I let my mind wake up too. Bad idea. Generally I keep the lights very low and my eyes shut so that I can, at the very least, meditate and sometimes (though rarely) drift into a light snooze. Nope. 

I let my mind race to grocery lists, house chores and work I need to get done this week. 

So today….I’m going to be good to myself and if I can’t sleep while Nadia’s sleeping, I’ll at least lay down to read. I will not let my mind troll through to-do lists. I will relax. Breathe. And just maybe, fall asleep.