I have witnessed the horror of the worst STD known to humankind many times in my life. It starts off leeching off your blood, makes you gain insane amounts of weight, and then the removal process is painful! Even then, the disease is not cured. It's permanent.

The name of this disease?

BABIES. Can also be referred to in its early stages as pregnancy.

Babies can often lead to a litany of problems:

• Depletion of funds (going broke).
• Sleep deprivation -- think of it as a hangover lasting at least 18 years.
• Loss of clean clothes
• ...and mounds of dirty clothes. A lot.
• A constant shortage of time and energy.

However, the disease does have some benefits that are evident after some time:

• Immunity to diseases you didn't even know existed till said organism gave them to you.
• An excuse to make animal noises, funny faces, and other ridiculous gestures without your mental well-being questioned.
• A sudden interest in someone else's life other than your own.
• You finally have a reason to dress for comfort.
• Super-powers! You can cure injuries (boo-boos) with a single peck or hug. Batman can't.
• Increased physical stamina.

But, perhaps the biggest benefit of catching babies is learning how much love we are capable of giving and receiving. Who knew the word "mama" or "dada" (or in my case, "Tia”) spoken in a squeaky, innocent voice could make you want to burst into rays of light and run with unicorns?  Or how you begin to realize there’s no such thing as too many hugs or kisses?

In the end, we can't bemoan babies. We all once were the leeching needy, cuddly bundles of joy I just wrote about. Unless you're an alien, which some of us humans start out looking like anyway (except me. I was a gorgeous baby). But who cares?

BABIES RULE!

Sometimes. Most of the time, though.

This blog is dedicated to all parents, new and vintage ("old" seems a bit offensive) as well as expectant ones (such as my lovely sister Theresa). You all are the BOMB.