Gabriel has had a fever and a frightening sounding chest cough for three days. We went to the doctor this morning who gave us a whole wack of perscriptions, including one for two types of "puffer". She said we could wait until Sunday before giving him antibiotics to see if he gets better on his own.

In theory, I am not someone who defaults to Western medicine. But while I am trying to be prudent about antibiotics, I feel like my general preference for slower, natural cures is being trumped by my fear of his little body getting sicker. And while I have booked an appointment with a naturopath to get our immune systems back on track (I have been sick for 10 weeks so far), I am deferring to my doctor on this one, and trying to stay away from all the "health sites" on the web.

But man, I am bored! I mean, mostly I am worried, but I am on quarantine from the drop-in centre, friends with babies, and friends who don't want to get exposed to whatever it is G. has. And I am going a bit mental.

When I am not watching his favourite video for the 4th time today or trying to coax his favourite food into his mouth, I am taking his temperature, holding him as he cries, and calling telehealth about his latest temperature reading.

At 5am I found myself and G. wrapped in a blanket on the sofa, watching infomercials. Suddenly, I desperately wanted a "magic bullet". It made so much sense. The pestos, tapenades, and babyfood I could whip up in TEN SECONDS. And NO pots and pans!

The couple showcasing this mini-blender/pulverizer were so peppy and convincing in the pre-dawn. He with his british accent, she in her Hawaiian sundress, her tanned, well-preserved physique most certainly the subject of daily challenges by her git-like spouse: "Guess how old she is. No, come on, I'm serious, mate. Take a guess."

Most engaging was their cast of "friends" - the jealous Joneses, the chainsmoking older housefrau, someone's brother...all of them went from skeptical to enthusiastically embracing the magic bullet for its savoury salsa and A-1 alfredo sauce (10 seconds!). I think it was the virgin margarita that finally reeled them in. The magic bullet couple loves to party!

When can we go out and play, again?