Week 20

Pre-Mother's Day

Mama Tigger and I headed to G-Ma & G-Pa T's place for Mother's Day and G-Ma T's birthday. It was a fun time. I learned that I slept through the night at 2 weeks. 2 weeks! Not gonna happen for Tigger...

The discussions with my parents fueled the debate Mama Tigger and I are having over the whole breastfeeding versus formula question. My parents chose the formula route (hence, the sleeping through the night at 2 weeks). I have been reading up on the question and have had difficulty finding a balanced, unbiased discussion. Everything is pro-breastfeeding...

There is no question there are real benefits to breastfeeding. It is nature's milk, after all. So, in the comparison of breast milk to formula themsleves, there is a clear winner. And that is where most every article I have read on the topic ends. However, what about the external realities that result from breastfeeding?

First, I can't participate, until pumping begins. And even then, Mama Tigger spends as much or more time pumping than if she just fed Tigger outright. Sucks for me, and adds stress / work on Mama Tigger.

The countless hours feeding, pumping, feeding, pumping and feeding again will certainly add up. Such effort will undoubtedly add more stress to our lives and the life of Tigger, not to mention the physical strain on Mama Tigger.

At what point does this stress add up to compete against the raw benefits of breast milk over formula? Yes, I know our "priorities are changing", but we cannot neglect the fact that Mama Tigger is a driven and ambitions person. Is it fair for her to take on such a responsibility when a perfectly acceptable alternative exists, that will allow us to share in the experience and provide a less stressful environment for Tigger?

Week 19

Sono #2

Mama Tigger had her 2nd sono yesterday - it was great fun. After waiting almost an hour, we had a cranky technician that was not very accommodating (it had nothing to do with the fact that WE were cranky, I swear. Well, maybe...). And, Mama Tigger couldn't see the screen. However, all is well on the growth front - right on target at 19 weeks.

The doc noticed a little something quirky with the bowel, so we have to get a couple blood tests run. He said the probability of this being anything but normal is very small, but not small enough to spend some of our insurance company's money to run a few tests (I added the insurance company bit...).

It appears Tigger takes after cousin Cassidy. S/he is very squirmy - so squirmy, in fact, that we were only able to get pictures of parts, rather than the whole 10 ounces. So, without further adieu, I give you Tigger sono #2...

Legs!


Hands!


An arm!


And a face!

Generational Differences

Mama Tigger and I have been enjoying the discussions with the grandparents-to-be, particularly about how times really have changed. Take car seats, for example.

G-Ma & G-Pa T regaled us with stories last weekend of pretty much throwing my sister and me in the back seat. As infants, we apparently were placed lovingly into a basket the width of their their VW bug, only to roll from side to side on sharp curves. Must have been fun!

G-Ma C notched up the safety a bit, providing a booster seat for Mama Tigger in the front seat. I understand it even had a "safety bar" to assist.

It makes me wonder how Tigger will reflect on our technology? My prediction is that sonograms will be done on-demand by placing your computer mouse on the abdomen...