Bottle Battle Round #6 - Game, Set and MATCH

Okay, perhaps it is not entirely a fair fight, and yes, it might to a large extent be due only to the fact that we still have a longer attention span than Luka - but, dare I say - we WON one!

Luka and Daddy settling in for a sundowner

On Friday the 16th of September, Luka the Legend and Daddy the Darraigner stepped onto Central Court at 84 Hilltop, Scarborough - for the final match of the Bottle Battle tournament.  Armed with a few solid wins under his belt, Luka may have underestimated the resolve of a father under strict instructions from his beloved wife to 'do or die' (well, it wasn't that dramatic, but not like breastfeeding Luka while I am at work is an option for Chris, so pretty much).

After the initial warm-up shots were tossed around while standing and bouncing in the position most likely to through Luka for a loop - it finally happened - he latched onto that Latex nipple like there was no tomorrow and gulped down the entire feed in what seemed to be a single shot (what came back up from his persistent reflux problem is another problem, and not one only related to this form of feeding).

One cannot but congratulate the challenger for the courage, determination and skill to finally take the title in the Bottle Battle Cup 2011!  (Let's hope mommy fairs equally well in the 'Solids Invitational'.

"See, it's not that bad!"

Bottle Battle Round #5

The contestants on Court 2 

Contestant #1:  Luka the Legend
Weapon: More accurate use of hands, making swiping at the bottle much more accurate!
Contestant #2:  Daddy the Dude
Substitute:  none, this is a singles match

A skillful backhand move by the
challenger

Weapon of choice:  remains unchanged - AVENT One-Piece Anti-Colic Valve System switched half-way through to NUK latex slow-flow to mix things up and try a 'shock and awe' approach.


Outcome: Game 4:  Advantage Daddy (with Luka serving next)
Match notes: The match took place both inside and outside on the deck overlooking the ocean while Daddy rocked, swayed, shuushed and talked to Luka (translation: Luka can currently only be bottle fed by someone with a strong back and good coordination, in good weather, by the coast)

A rather shocked expression
from the undefeated champion

Results:  A strong showing by the challenger who made his determination clear to the defending champion.
Quote of the match:  "Buddy, even if you wear this last bit we are going to finish this bottle!"
Match time:  About 45mins

Next up - final game of the set.

Proof that we are not raising a sore loser

Bottle Battle Round #4

Contestant #1:  Luka the Legend
Weapon of choice: new-found intent on winning, armed with a fresh nap under his belt.
Contestant #2:  Mommy now Mildly Meek
Substitute:  none, this is a singles match
Weapon of choice:  remains unchanged - AVENT One-Piece Anti-Colic Valve System fitted with a slow-flow teat - 50ml of Nestle Lactogen Formula (why? because mommy can't keep up feeding a growing 4'ish month old, AND the Medela - so will have to 'get ahead' first before can provide him with expressed breastmilk)


Outcome:
Game 4:  Advantage Mommy (with Luka serving next)
Match notes: With Daddy the Determined braving the freezing (14C/54F) Atlantic waters in his inaugural Cape Peninsula dives with local dive outfit Pisces Divers mommy was left home to brave Game 4 in the Bottle Battle Match alone.  Using the skills and technique demonstrated by the Daddy yesterday, mommy proceeded with trepidation.
Results:  It was a game of 50's.  Formula attempted:  50mls (1.7oz) of that 50mls, Luka ingested probably about 50%. Of the remaining 50%, mommy is wearing about 50% and Luka's bib the other 50%.  So in all, not a terribly bad showing, and certainly an improvement over previous Games.
Match time:  About 45mins, no tears, a little fuss, lots of bouncing and entertainment, and a much better communication strategy between Luka and Mommy.

Will Game 5 be the Match decider?  Stay tuned.

Bottle Battle Round #3

Contestant #1:  Luka the Legend
Weapon of choice: Sheer and utter will and determination (with two Games won, add some confidence to the mix!)
Contestant #2:  Daddy the Disillusioned (re-branding in the hopes of thwarting the opponent)
Weapon of choice:  AVENT One-Piece Anti-Colic Valve System fitted with a slow-flow teat
(Reasoning for weapon for Contestant #2):  Because Weapons #1 and #2 SUCKED!
Substitute:  Mamma the Meagerly Hopeful


Outcome:
Game 3:  DEUCE (with a possibility for advantage Daddy)
Match notes: A much more respectable attempt by Contestant #2.  It is clear that he studied match tapes from earlier games, and used the 'surprise-factor' to shock and awe the defending champion into submission with unexpected twists such as outward-facing approaches and swift footwork.  While less than 30mls/1oz was accomplished, taken with the negative amounts from the previous attempts, we're probably close to a gallon of net gain.
Match time:  An hour of sweat, drool and formula (happy to report no blood yet), and no tears this time!

Bring on the next round!

Bottle Battle Round #2

Contestant #1:  Luka the Legend
Weapon of choice: Sheer and utter will and determination
Contestant #2:  Daddy the Delusional 
Weapon of choice:  NUK Latex  #1
(Reasoning for weapon for Contestant #2):  Another NUK apparatus, this time with a more 'natural' teat for our organic kid. Ha!
Substitute:  Mamma the Mercurial 


Outcome:
Game 2:  6-2 for Luka the Legend
Match notes:  DtD gave it his best shot - and managed to get a few shots in this time, but LtL had improved on his volleys and managed to floor DtD once more with a deep shot down the sideline to square away a solid win for Game 2 in the match.  Mamma the Mercurial was brought in briefly off the bench - but it was soon evident that the game was already decided.
Match time:  A much more respectable twenty minutes.  

Bottle Battle Round #1

Contestant #1:  Luka the Legend
Weapon of choice: Sheer and utter will and determination
Contestant #2:  Daddy the Determined
Weapon of choice:  NUK Orthodontist-choice Silicone #1
(Reasoning for weapon for Contestant #2):  Same/similar as dummy/pacifier/binky that Contestant #1 sucked on until recently deciding that his god-given thumbs are way better (with which his sleep-deprived parents tend to agree)


Outcome:
Game 1:  6-0 for Luka the Legend
Match notes:  DtD did not stand a chance.  LtL hit an ace, powerful on the baseline, and finally buried his opponent at the net.
Match time:  didn't even register