I Smell Poop and Other Loving Words

Now, I really love my husband. He's great and we've created this wonderful little person that has bonded us together for the rest of eternity and that's "big stuff". But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I'd be having so many conversations about poop with this man. It is not exactly pillow talk if you know what I mean.

When Gusi was born it was all about: has he pooped? It was such an effort for the little guy that it seemed like a big accomplishment if he did. When he started solid foods it was: ugh, did you see what was in his diaper? I would cringe when he pooped while we were out and about since others might think it was ME! who made that terrible odor. And now that he's a total pro at eating solids (and those meats WILL have an effect on a child's bowels), our conversation often begins: I smell poop. We each know what the other means and it's not like we're doing rock, paper, scissors to get out of changing his diaper, but it has become our mantra almost. The "I love you" phrases are still there, but boy oh boy it is in close competition with "I smell poop" in so far as frequency.

A friend told me that she often casually sniffs her daughter's bottom while in public to see if anything is in the diaper. I can understand trying to be discreet but sometimes it is just too obvious to me; that's when I utter to my husband those loving words: I smell poop. And it's something that you can't turn off--your nose just knows. I think to myself, what on earth did my husband and I talk about before? And then I remember, oh yeah, we talked about ourselves!!! And now? Now we talk about bowel movements as if we were writing a book on the subject. We can talk about when we suspect it has happened, while we're out on a date as a recap to the day's events, and yes, even during meals.

So where does this leave PapaGus and I? Well, talking about our favorite subject: our son. Romance isn't dead, it's just enriched in a way that I never expected yet still treasure.

To my husband I say: "Sweetie, I smell poop, and to show you how much I truly love you I'll change the diaper." :)