I stroke a finger down Ruby's cheek, feeling the soft, cherubic skin, staring into the innocent, ethereal eyes. The baby latches to my finger with her chubby little fist, the bones and veins tucked under layers and layers of baby fat, the only time in one's life when fat is adorable and heavenly.

According to research, people who live with animals have decreased anxiety and lower blood pressure. They have lower cholesterol. They are more relaxed and less stressed and are, overall, in better health. Unless of course you have a dog who pees uncontrollably wherever it wishes or eats your furniture to shreds.

I'd like to be taller. I'd like my baby fat to leave.

We had so many baby squirrels it was a nightmare.

I quite liked having a baby - I think I won't put it more strongly than that. But I had no intention of allowing motherhood to disrupt my work as an archeologist.

Everyone said I was fat, so I did something about it.