Pekl, that is my word for the day. This little pekl of ours is a heap of trouble. I want to sleep! She was cranky all day since 4 am and would only rest on my tummy. I love the devotion, if I can call it that in a four week old, but really sleep seems awfully important now too. I keep falling asleep in odd places. I wonder if that makes me a bad mommy. I ask that a lot now, but really, I think a well rested mother is better able to cope and makes a better mother, if she can manage it.

We have such generous and kind friends and family. Carolyn arrived this evening to help us with Sam, and it is truly wonderful to have the help. She is the kind of friend that I don't have to stand on ceremony, which is odd in a way, because I have only met her a few times. Some people are just like that. She brought some outfits for Sam that I had almost bought last night, nightshirts with ladybugs in them, very cute. Also a shirt that says Mommy is great in purple with matching hat and booties. The Teddy bear was amazing, so soft and just gorgeous.

We started the day off with another very special gift too. Sid's girlfriend, Kim, must have been knitting her fingers off, because we received a cloud soft pink knitted blanket and a beautiful sweater for Samantha. I am always amazed at people who knit something for a child that will outgrow it in three months. All that work for something that will only be used for such a short time. Incredibly thoughtful. The sweater is maroon with pewter buttons and deep blue trim, very classy and very thick and warm. She will be adorable in it.

We need to sit down and write the thank you notes to people who have sent us things. It is embarrassing when people have to ask if we received things in the mail because we never said thank you. I know people understand that new parents are hazy on the details, but I do think a simple thank you acknowledging their generosity is important, no matter what. I didn't say thank you for all the help that people gave us when Emily died, and it makes it all the more important to say it now, when we have this joy to share.

Breastfeeding went okay today. I tried to feed her every time she got hungry, and Sam actually stayed on for about 15 minutes at a time. That was a real breakthrough for us. I tried just sleeping all day and having her sleep on my tummy, since that was the only way she would sleep anyway, and feeding her before she got too cranky. It seemed to work well. I still needed to give her quite a bit of formula, but she got all the breastmilk too. Whoever said breastfeeding was easy was insane.

I am holding to Matt's ban on poop, but I hope breast feeding is okay to discuss.

I look at her little face and am amazed that something so perfect, so wonderful came out of me. She is beautiful, and will grow into something amazing, no matter what she does, it will amaze me. I love her so much, and she is so loved by her family, I hope she always knows how much she is loved. I smooch her all day long, and get many requests from family and friends to smooch her for them. I always tell her who the smooch is from so she will know that we all love her.