The Stinky Farm

Growing up, there was one stretch of road near my house that was unbearable to pass through during 6 months out of the year. See, on this road was a farm. A dairy farm. With LOTS of cows. And even more cow poop. My sister and I named this farm, "The Stinky Farm." As you were approaching the Stinky Farm, families would react as if they just found out radioactive materials were in the air. Windows were rolled up. Sunroofs closed. And air vents were turned to recirculate the interior air, rather than pull any contaminated air from the outside. Yes.. it was that bad. The smell of cow manure gagged even the strongest. The putrid air would get caught in your nose and lungs... not ceasing until mile or two past the farm.

So what does this have to do with being a mama? Oh, just wait...

Up until a few days ago, I had no problem changing my baby's diaper. Even the poopy diapers. It really didn't make me wince, gag or even think twice. So what changed? Two words: rice cereal. Once she turned four months I began to introduce rice cereal to her diet once a day. Now that she is starting to actually swallow it (vs. spitting it right out), her bowels have changed significantly. The sweet smell of formula is no more... yesterday when I opened her diaper I almost passed out. Seriously. I wondered if a cow from the Stinky Farm had snuck down to Atlanta, pooped in her diaper, and then put it back on her. Yes - my baby's poop now smells like cow manure. AHHHHHHH! You may be saying - How can two tablespoons of rice cereal create such a powerful odor? Well let me tell you - it does. And if rice cereal is bad, I can only imagine what peas, apples and - oh no - meats, will do.

Today I went for a walk with Paige and Lenni LuLu (the dog). It was a GORGEOUS day! But when I returned home and opened the door, I was hit with that smell. POOP! I gagged. I wrinkled my nose. And I acknowledged - my house is now the Stinky Farm. Febreeze, anyone?!