The nine-month checkup last Wednesday was a breeze. No shots!
Rowan weighed 21 pounds (55th percentile), was 29 1/4 inches long (80th percentile), and his head was 18 inches in circumference (55th percentile). It was a far more playful visit than past ones had been. We timed it just right between feeding times and nap times! 
The doctor said it's fine to broaden the food horizon whenever we want. So, you may also be interested to know that on a Saturday afternoon outing just today, Rowan got his first taste of spaghetti! We gave him some little sections of noodle with minimal sauce. Besides the trouble he had picking them up (slippery little things!), he seemed to quite enjoy them. Our planned Babies 'R Us stop saw one additional item: a bib with sleeves for future spaghetti adventures!