“The best part of the first year was … everything! Even if, in the moment, it was terrible and I thought I was going to go crazy or burst into tears, when I look back, it was either comical or just wonderful. From Alex's first smile and laugh, to his first steps, and everything in between. I never knew I could love someone so much!” — Kerri

“Being a mother is the hardest job I have ever loved. I did not know it was possible to love a person in the way and to the depth that I love my daughter. Even when I felt exhausted and frustrated in that first year, I would tiptoe into her room before I went to bed to gaze upon her beautiful, sleeping face, and my heart would overflow with love every time.” — Mary

“The best part of the first year was when our kids first recognized us. Picking them up from babysitters and seeing their faces light up because they recognized Mom or Dad. And hearing the babies' first laughs. And having a baby fall asleep on my shoulder was precious. There are so many special moments in the first year, and sometimes you forget how special they are.” — Glorianne

“The best part of the first year was looking at the joy and love in my husband's eyes every time he looked at our son.” — Kathryn

“The best moment in that first year was holding my newborn twins right after they came out. There hasn't been much in my whole life that has exceeded the incredible feeling of that moment.” — Moira

“The best thing about the first year was becoming part of the ‘club.’ Suddenly I had something in common with all the other women, regardless of where they work or how much money they made. I also took on a different attitude: ‘Hey, I gave birth; anything else pales in comparison.’” — Leslie R.

“The best thing was seeing the wonder on my daughter's face over the most ordinary things, like colored lights, a tiny bug on the ground, a beautiful red leaf, or a muddy puddle. She made me slow down to appreciate all the little gifts we come across all day long.” — Julie

“The best thing is that after all the sleepless nights and frustration at the beginning about a colicky baby, at the end you get some love back, just a little hug, cuddle, or kiss, that is everything you ever needed.” — Esther

“The best part was watching Francis grow from a wailing bundle of reactions and needs into a walking, talking, communicating creature.” — Adrienne

“The best moment of the first year was when my son, Chris, was about a week old. I took him with me to the gas station, and while I was filling the tank, a woman came over and said, ‘I see you have a new baby.’ I smiled, and she continued, ‘Don't you feel like someone turned on the lights and now it's clear to you what life is all about?’ She was so right!” — Lynne

“The best part of the first year was learning about this new person in my life, learning about what made my baby smile, cry, laugh, and cuddle.” — Lisa

“My best part of the first year was the laughter a baby brings. Before parenthood, it was quiet and settled in my home. There was not so much laughter, not so much to actually smile about. That was the best change.” — Ursula

“The best part for me was watching this little being grow from a helpless newborn about which I knew almost nothing into a real little person with her distinct personality, looks, abilities, preferences, and interests.” — Cecily

“The best moment came a couple of months after we had Sophia. We visited a friend who had to buzz us in to enter her apartment. When she answered the buzzer, I said, ‘It's the Blums.’ There was something about that that caught me. We were more of a family. Before that I might have said, ‘It's Jodi and Jeff,’ but now we were ‘the Blums.’” — Jodi

“The best thing about the first year was the incredible love I felt for my son, his first laugh, and the joy of seeing him grow from a newborn baby into a little toddler. What an experience! I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.” — Kim

“The best parts of the first year — all three times — were the gummy smiles just for me.” — Julia

“I think the best thing about the first year is realizing the true definition of unconditional love. It is astonishing how fiercely and passionately you fall in love with this tiny creature that can do nothing for you in return, other than need you completely and reciprocate your love in full. You can't remember life without her — or what you remember seems incomplete. Every smile, every gurgle, every coo brings immeasurable joy. There is nothing you wouldn't do for her, no need to say no to any wish she might have (yet), and no feeling of peace quite like the one you get when she falls asleep on your shoulder, blowing her warm baby breath on your neck.” — Leslie B.