I have heard of the term “spirited child”, but in all honesty I always thought it was a nice way of telling someone that their kid was an evil terror.  Now I am beginning to realize that there really is such a thing as a spirited child, and I believe that I have one of my very own.

Cyler has always been active.  From the time he was still in utero.  I remember during an ultrasound the technician was having a difficult time getting a good shot because he was moving around too much or blocking with his hands.  I remember nights when I would toss and turn because the little guy was doing back flips in my belly.  Once he was born, it continued.  He was always extremely alert.  Always staring intensely at whatever he was studying in that moment.  As he became more mobile, his energy levels were through the roof.  The kid never stopped moving.  And still doesn’t.  He loves to jump and can sit and bounce in his jumperoo for more than an hour straight.  If he’s on your lap, you had better hang on tight.  Diaper changes have become nearly impossible as he twists and rolls in acrobatic poses as I beg him to “hold still for 2 seconds”.  I find myself constantly having to distract him with a new toy or activity.  He will not sit contently with one object for more than a minute, before he’s onto the next.

He is intensely aware of all of his surroundings.  When we are somewhere new, his head is on a swivel taking in every little detail.    He cranes his neck to see the person around the corner, or practically jumps out of my arms to get a better view of something colorful or flashy.  But while this intensity and energy has left me exhausted and at times a little frustrated, I can’t help but giggle to myself on occasion at his blossoming personality.  I have a feeling that there are many silly moments ahead.  I smile to myself to think of the cute little Cyler-isms yet to be.  I know he’s going to be an entertaining little guy.  I look forward to those moments, but in the back of my head I just know, I’m in for it!

#10.  Your formally macho-man husband now dances around the house singing childrens’ songs and quoting ‘Finding Nemo’.

#9.  You haven’t showered in 3 days, your hair is disheveled, your make-up is non-existent, and quite frankly…you don’t give a rat’s ASS!

#8.  75% of your adult conversations now involve baby poop.

#7.  One of your co-workers asks “What’s that smell?” and you realize it’s the lovely smell of baby vomit wafting from your shirt.

#6.  Much to your horror, you start referring to yourself  in the 3rd person.  “Mommy just loves her little man”! (puke)

#5.  You shamelessly enter your little one in cutest baby contests (something you swore you’d never do), because you are convinced there has never been a cuter baby in the history of the world.

#4.  You can hum along and know the order of songs for every one of your baby’s musical toys.

#3.  You CAN NOT walk into a store without perusing the baby aisles.  Because every baby needs 42 pairs of infant socks!

#2.  Sex is either non-existent, or a 45 second quickie romp before the baby wakes up screaming.  (And it’s pretty much a guarantee that the baby will wake up the moment you take off your pants)

#1.  No matter how bad your day, how tired you are, or how short tempered you’ve become, one gummy toothless grin from your adorable offspring can warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.