She decided to take it. The baby has not been enthusiastic about the breast lately; formula is much sweeter and has more calories than breastmilk (those companies really know which buttons to push, for certain). So with respect to Isabella the decision wasn’t too painful. But it is sad to see this milestone pass, much sooner than we wanted.

Arehn and Jim’s boys are great- the coolest kids you’d ever want to meet. The oldest, Drew, established the Global Protection Foundation. Its mission is to protect the world. Both he and his younger brother, Sam, are secret agents. Sam loves babies, it turns out. He was excited to be able to hold Isabella. You don’t see this enthusiasm for babies often in boys!

We don’t see Arehn and Jim much- only when they have reason to pass through town on the way to a trade show or event such as their Circle Pines trip. When we were parting, Sam asked, “Will the baby remember me?” “No,” we told him, “she won’t. She’s too young.” “Well,” he replied, “then would you take a picture of me, Mike, and show it to her every day? Tell her it’s Sam! And that we had dinner at Cafe Winberie’s in Oak Park!” “Ok, I said,” so I did and I will.

So here’s to you, Sam! What a big hearted boy!