Everyone loves babies, even the evil old woman down the road is suddenly nice to you if it means she gets to admire the baby!

Suddenly realising that what everyone is saying a 3-month-old is clever for doing your baby was doing from birth is a great experience.

Toddlers ROCK. Just wait until they start talking (the first year is some amusing babble, but then they start to hold their own in conversation) and the things they come out with. DS was telling me all about how ducks learn how to quack last week, I think he thought he was teaching them by doing different sorts of quacks. (OK, he's not fluent, but you can get his gist.)

I love watching DS learn and grow in confidence. The way they move, then they do it deliberately, then they play for a laugh... within 3 months they'll have you in hysterics.

I didn't really enjoy the baby stage for many reasons, but maybe also because DS is always pushing himself, so he didn't enjoy being a baby IYKWIM - once he could walk he was so much happier. The first six and a half months were a bit of him being happy, some of the greatest cuddles of my life, then a month or so of annoyance because he couldn't get around under his own steam, then the joys of walking. Everywhere. Holding my hands. For months. Then first steps alone and power charging everywhere! Same with talking, he chatters away but gets cross if you don't understand him, he was like that from birth (and yes; day 2, within 24 hours of birth, he was making non-crying sounds deliberately, "ah!" and "eh!", then "oh!" on day 3).

Don't get me wrong, a sleeping baby is so gorgeous and I loved getting him up and dressed and the cuddles and feeds... bliss! Even the poo was fine, I love folding nappies. But I suppose I was a bit man-like and wanted DS to do something back LOL. And I'm not reiterating the other points, with which I agree.

I agree with Liz - motherhood is a way easier gig than anyone tells you, especially with a tiny baby. If I can do it then anyone can! And instincts are to be trusted, you'll be fine. Just love your baby and do what you think is right, forget the stupid books. Best thing I ever did (except the one that kept telling me how super-advanced DS is, that book I liked, even if I didn't like the advice in it so didn't take it).