At her 18 month check-up appointment Tuesday, Zoe weighed 21.75 pounds and measured 80.5 cm (31.7 inches). (I was not present and thus there is no head circumference measurement to report; she has a nice head, and it appears to be a reasonable size for someone of her stature.) She’s brilliant, so all her milestones are as expected for a budding genius. Many thanks to her Dad and Gigi for taking her in my absence and comforting her after two shots. By all reports she, again, handled that with grace.

The doctor was a little concerned about her lack of weight gain. She’s really too busy to eat these days, and a recent bout with teething didn’t help things much. Nevertheless, she must weigh more, says the doctor. The prescription? “Put butter on everything.” When Joel told me this, I balked. Butter?! I mean, I love butter. But butter? The object is to increase her calories, so we’ll increase the butter a little and the healthy fats (oils, avocados, peanut butter) the rest of the way. Let’s not clog the new person’s arteries.

Zoe has the sweetest little spirit. I love coming home to her these days - she is so happy to see me and very huggy and cuddly. When I’m with her I feel like I’m with a little friend now. I have always talked to her, but now she responds and communicates more with me. She says words. Her little face, boing boing curls, running on her tip toes, mischievous grins, and climbing everything are a few daily Zoe gifts that I love.