Great Expectations Questions

Throughout the first few chapters of the story, Pip's sister and other characters continuously mention the fact that she brought Pip up "by hand." I didn't fully understand why they were bringing this up so many times, and was wondering if it had more meaning than her simply raising Pip all on her own and with no outside help.  I also was wondering if Pip's sister really hated him as much as she acts like she does, and if Pip truly hates her as well, or if they still have some love fore each other because they are the only family each other has?