AN APPLE A DAY

Like all of you, I've had my share of kick-in-the-gut moments.

A 64-yard Hail Mary somehow landing in Michael Westrbook's arms, for instance. Hearing "Mountain Song" by Jane's Addiction on a Coors Light commercial was hard to take. Then there's the hours spent staring incredulously at Tom Brokaw early in the morning of Wednesday Nov. 3, as Ohio officially accepted its transfer from the Rust Belt to the Bible Belt.

Today, I sidestepped one of those moments. Sonja did, too.

Zoe had her second doctor visit this afternoon, which included her second immunization shot. (The nurses covertly slipped her the first when she was whisked away for a bath at the hospital.) Watching someone poke our unsuspecting child with a needle was not high on our list of anticipated parental moments. My friend Brian prepared me: "She's going to look at you like she can't believe you let it happen, then she'll scream like a banshee." Super.

I got out of it. Never have I been so happy to be swamped at work. Then Sonja got out of it. Never has she been so happy to have her mom visit. Honey was a champ.

After Sonja excused herself from the examination room, Honey held Zoe through the poke and then consoled her near the window. Nothing captures Zoe's attention quite like sunlight dancing through the leaves of a maple tree.

The vitals: Zoe weighed in at 9 1/2 pounds and measured 23 3/4 inches. The doctor said that's 90th-percentile in height and 75th-percentile in weight. Tall and skinny. Hmmm. Has she met us?

Sonja had a doctor's appointment of her own the previous day (thanks to Busia for babysitting!) and was given a clean bill of health. She didn't get a shot.

Both my girls are happy and healthy. It's a great day.