When I say “big”, I’m talking about two things:

1) Our big baby: Zoë and her big cheeks and endless supply of fat rolls weighed in at 13 pounds, 10 ounces, and measured 25″ long at her 4 month appointment. “Big baby” could also refer to me as Zoë went for her second round of shots. I stayed back in the exam room while Marshall took her to the shot room.  I could hear her crying down the hall, but I am so impressed that she just pulls it all together so quickly afterwards and feels so comforted by being held by her daddy.

2) A big milestone: The doctor gave us the go ahead to start trying out rice cereal with Zoë. Who knew that when babies eat solids (aka mushy, runny food), it’s not that they don’t like it when they spit it all out, but rather they don’t yet know how to swallow? I guess had I read through my entire parenting book, I would have gotten that tidbit, but I’m all for on-the-job training.  Anyways, the doctor said that we should start offering it to her so that she can learn how to swallow and as we get into the introduction of real foods, she’ll know what she is doing.  Let’s just say she still had a lot to learn- more food came out of her mouth than went in.  Along with a few disgusted faces, Zoë gave us some big (and messy) smiles.