First two months: relentless, exhausting, traumatic, painful, all consuming, isolating, terrifying, overwhelming, bonding, all filled with love and everything in between.
2 to 6 months: relentless, exhausting, caring, selflessness,
6 months to 12 months: relentless, exhausting, capable,
Funny, scary, frustrating
12 to 19 months: rewarding, nururing, and not so relentless! If dd is playing on the floor I can read a book for a bit or stick some washing on. I'm also not so exhausted as she sleeps through more often than not. Just one wake up this week. And fun. All dd wants to do is play play play. And interacting. Dd now asks for cuddles and kisses me, I get help with hoovering and watering the garden. Far more reciprocation. Loving, pride, joy, amazement at this clever little person i grew inside me and i nourished with my own body who walks about and asks for snacks and drinks with proper words. Sometimes i look at her and think my heart will burst.
I've come a long way from the first few months when i felt as though I'd been hit with a sledgehammer. And at my worst after a week of screaming from 10pm until 6 am thinking 'I could just throw her out the window. All right I'd go to prison but at least I could get some sleep in prison'
never underestimate the compassion of the Crysis people. Or kindly sympathetic health visitors.