I think I've had baby fever since I was nine years old. I've always had this tender spot in my heart for a little sack of sugar. I mean, come on! They are just so cute. They smell so good, they laugh when you're not being funny at all, they don't talk back, and they want to be held. What else could I ask for?

Now, don't get me wrong. I am a college student and most certainly not wishing for a baby of my own at this moment. As long as I can hand the baby back to his or her invincible mama, all is well.

Here's how it goes:

Stage 1: The initial excitement.

Whether it's walking into church, receiving the "Hey, can you babysit tomorrow night?" text, or seeing a sweet little one in the grocery store. You might as well start audibly crying because you have most likely drawn attention to yourself with the gasping and gawking at another person's baby.

Stage 2: Acceptance or rejection.

The baby likes you or the baby wants nothing to do with you. Which one will it be?

If it's the latter, you probably find yourself like this.

But, if you've been deemed fit by the baby and they giggle at you.

If I fail, my baby fever is still as strong as it was moments earlier, but I do feel slightly defeated. It's like the one creature who generally loves anything it can touch, slobber on, or non-maliciously hit says "Nope, sorry not you."

Stage 3: (Assuming you have been approved by the child, even good enough to be asked to babysit them) "Oh my gosh, you are so cute and squishy and I love you and want to hold you forever and ever! Amen!"

Stage 4: The first 20 minutes of separation anxiety-induced tears.

You still have patience, young grasshopper.

Stage 5: Hour one of blood curdling screams.

Hour two:

Stage 6: Is it really a babysitting job if they don't spit on you? But all you can do is grab a napkin and keeping cuddling them.

Stage 7: Sleeping.

The sweet love falls asleep gently, drooling on your shoulder. Thank you, Jesus. You avoid making the trek to their room because they are just too peaceful and adorable. Soak up the moment.

And then you are given the task of tip-toeing to the crib. Make sure you don't step on the wrong piece of hardwood floor. Also, don't cough or sneeze or really breathe too hard.

Stage 8: You did it. Baby asleep. How do you feel? Self explanatory.

Stage 9: Conflicting feelings!

Now you want the baby to be awake. You are sitting on the couch trying to read your book and you just can't focus knowing that there is a little one upstairs. Yes, they might be sleeping, but you don't want that. Now you regret rocking them to sleep. Baby, come back?

Stage 10: Parents come home.

Your heart is sad because you don't want to leave their little one. But before you leave, you can't help but commend them for their total awesomeness.

Babies forever!