"This baby is awesome"... Well those weren't the exact words the doctor used, but both Hilton and I knew that is what he meant :)

It was really nice having a 9month check up just to have some questions answered, since I thought that you only have one at 12months. I just happened to hear about it at baby gym the yesterday, and then I phoned and checked and indeed we had one.

We started off with all the measurements. I'll give them all to you, so if anyone wants to make a life size replica of Matthew, it can be accurate. (Sorry it's in inches... blame the Americans)
Head circumference: 18 inches
Length: 28.5 inches
Weight: 21 lbs 10 oz

Matthew is in the 50% percentile for his height and 75% percentile for his weight, which is why he is on the chubby side :) The Doc said that it's nothing to worry about at the moment and said that he could see that Matthew was being well fed by breastmilk. He said that it's a good thing to have some extra fat as a baby, so we didn't have to change anything we're doing. (He was a very old fashoned doctor and so was therefore very pleased that I was still breastfeeding!)

The Doc then checked ears, eyes and mouth and all looked good. He was pleased that Matthew has moved on to eating 'table' food and not jar food. He was pleased that we were brushing his teeth, but suggested we use toothpaste as well. He was pleased that Matthew is drinking water and said to offer it to him more frequently to see if he would take some more.

He gave us some pointers about which food to avoid until he's 12months old. He also checked Matthew's vaccination card to see if he was up to date. He was a bit surprised with how close Matthew had his vaccinations (4 weeks apart) since the WHO recommends minimum 6 weeks. Matthew was fully up to date except for one (for ear infections) that we were actually offered in SA, but we declined because it was very expensive and our insurance didn't cover it and we were told that it was mainly beneficial for children in day care and a at home baby should be fine. Anyway, we decided to get it here since it's now covered by Microsoft insurance and it is recommended. He also wanted to give Matthew a Hep B booster but we have to wait 5 months between the last one and it's only been 4. So we'll go back next month to get that done.

Then it was off to the lab (down the hall) to get a blood test done to check for anemia - we hear the results tomorrow.

Matthew was not impressed to be poked, not once, but twice and on his birthday! He soon cheered up again though, I wish all pain in life was this easily forgotten!

The Doctor we got is part of a Pediatric Association, which has a number of doctors and they have their own lab and a minor surgery for cuts and broken bones. They are also right across from the Children's hospital and apparently they send their own teams across to care for their patients.  So we're very pleased to have found this place and also very pleased that Microsoft covers it! The only downside is that you don't see the same doctor each time, you get whoever is available. But I think that can be remedied by actually asking for the doctor you want, we'll have to see next time.

All in all, Matthew is doing very well. He is a happy, healthy little boy!