Here it is folks!

SO, thanks to my friend the redhead riter, you are now seeing the new and improved Burrow/Sophisticated Redneck Mommy blog. They are now mashed together in the way I had always wanted....you still have the random junk I like to write about along with the mommy stuff that is the forefront of my life. While the information in the navigation bar above is still under construction, take a look if you are interested.

If you didn't already know, I try to be as candid as possible. Ready?

Let's start off the mommy portion of this blog with a bang/disclaimer shall we? I LOVE being a mommy. It is my true calling. In my explanations and stories about things it may sound like I am frustrated or overwhelmed. Chances are good that I am. BUT, Lila truly is the most amazing, perfect, and wonderful creation on earth. I would take all the breastfeeding and diaper rashes that could possibly be dished out for five minutes with her. At some point I would like to go back and document other things from the past sixteen months of pregnancy, birth, and life with a newborn. I will add that to the navigation bar once I get it going. Until then, I will just start from where I'm at right now. Please know that not all posts will be about issues in parenting. I still love to write about all sorts of nonsense as well.

Here goes.

Breastfeeding. Who knew the world of such a natural thing was so wrought with controversy and drama? Well, not really, But if you are an avid internet reader like me that is what you would see. It's very similar to religion. There are some who quietly breastfeed in the comfort of their own home. They do it because they love it. They do it because they are told it is best. They do it for the recommended year and then they move on. They do it and they don't care if you do it or not. Then, there are some who are what you would call breastfeeding zealots. They do it a million times a day come hell or high water. They do until their child is headed to kindergarten. They do it on the street, in the park, at the mall, at dinner, and maybe even next to the old guy on the airplane (Yes, I did that. No, I am not a breastfeeding zealot). They also make every attempt to seek out those who don't do it and chastise them. They have no problem telling you your baby will get cancer from formula and you are a horrible mother because you don't do it. Lastly, we have the ones who never do it and never will. Their reasons may vary dramatically. They don't usually want to talk about it (probably because of the zealots). They are just not breast feeders. End of story.

Then, there are those like me. I always knew I would breastfeed, God and baby willing. I told myself to fall into category number one and go the recommended year. I don't care if you do it or not. I believed I would love it. I am what you call a somewhat religious person so of course it would make sense that I am a somewhat committed breast feeder right? Don't get me wrong. I have done it for 7 months solid and thought I would go the whole year. If I wasn't working I would see that as a possibility, but I don't even know if that would be true. Let's just say my cup doesn't runneth over in that department. I have read that some women just dry up one day. I have also read that some babies just give up one day. I'm not sure if those things really happen. What I do know is that breastfeeding is hard. It's work. It's wonderful and healthy and loving and bonding and all of that. BUT, it is for me the strongest love/hate relationship I have ever had. My baby is captain distracted and my boobs weren't totally cooperating due to my lack of time/energy to pump eighteen times a day, and the hate part of the relationship took over. I tried to fight it. One day I was throwing in the towel and the next I was convinced I could make it work. It was a daily battle within myself that I was losing (if that even makes sense). Indecisive is my middle name. I once read that for people like me who struggle so badly with decision making you should use the 10, 10, 10 rule. How will it affect your life in 10 minutes? How will it affect your life in 10 months? How will it affect your life in 10 years? In 10 minutes I was still going to be unsure of what to do. In 10 months I would be DONE for sure. In 10 years would my child be fine if I stopped now or kept going? Yes on both accounts. Therefore, I just made a decision and went on about my business. As of almost two weeks ago weaning ended and I have to say that baby and mommy are less stressed on all around. Of course, days after the last bottle of breast milk was consumed she got sick and I was guilt ridden because that's who I am. BUT, I don't regret it.

So she got sick on Christmas Day as I have mentioned before. Well, we almost entirely kicked the cold (for her anyway) and we enter the world of the hated diaper rash. I am now going to tell you why I think Facebook is the best thing ever created. Yes, I said Facebook in relation to a diaper rash. I could have picked up the phone and called the pediatrician. I probably still will. All I did was make my status on Facebook say something to the effect of being overwhelmed by being a parent and the string of "conversation" that followed about diaper rash gave me instant, firsthand suggestions from moms I know and trust. WHAT COULD BE BETTER? I'm telling you. Those FB boys are almost as genius as the Google guys. I am following some of the suggestions and created a list for those who may want/need it for future reference.

SO, for anyone who is a parent or is becoming a parent and reads anything online that makes you feel inadequate about a choice you are trying to make as a parent, please know that I support you no matter what you choose. Because if you are trying your best you are an amazing parent already.