4 new moms share what they've learned about motherhood

— -- Moms will be celebrating around the U.S. this weekend, but for some mothers it will be the very first time.

ABC News asked four moms -- who welcomed their first child within the last 12 months -- to reflect on new motherhood.

The women answered the same five questions about what they've learned, what they wish they would've known and what's surprised them about their new role.

What’s the biggest thing you've learned about being a mother?

Ashley Gwynne, 32, of Baltimore, Maryland: "You cannot plan anything," she began. "I had this idea that I was going to be this certain type of mother -- she wasn't going to eat that, she wasn’t going to have a pacifier. And once I had her -- oh, my goodness -- you can’t really plan for this. You can try, but you're never fully prepared for it."

Did you have any misconceptions about motherhood?

Gwynne, mother of 9-month-old daughter, Harper: "I totally underestimated how hard it was. I’m a teacher. So for me, I work with kids all the time, but it’s nothing like that."

Hodges, mother of 3-month-old son, Caleb: "I had a strict birth plan and I really thought it was going to go the way I wanted it to go. I planned to do a natural [birth,] no medicine," she said. "I ended up having high blood pressure, I had to be induced, I didn’t dilate. He was faced upwards instead of down and I had to have a C-section. But he was healthy and I was healthy so that’s the most important thing."

Steel, mother of 10-month-old son, Isaac: "I was very nervous that I was going to lose my freedom and I wasn’t going to be able to be selfish anymore and it scared me. But it’s so the opposite. I don’t even care. I love it! I just want to be with my kid!"

Easley, mother of 2-month-old son, Atlas: "You have all these hopes and dreams of how the baby's going to be like. When he was born, I became much more aware that he’s definitely his own person. There was this shift. [Initially, I said,] 'Oh, I want my child to grow up and be all these things.' [Now,] I want him to grow up to be what he wants to be."

Are there things you wish you knew before motherhood?

Gwynne: "Before I had Harper, I was buying everything. I listened to everybody else. I wanted to know what was trendy and even though advice is great from other moms...everything's different for your kid. I thought I had to have these certain products because all the moms had it...and it doesn’t work like that."

Have you experienced any surprising joys?

Gwynne: "Watching your kid eat and go, 'Hmmmm.' That’s so exciting! You get to watch her facial expressions every time she experiences something new. It’s fun to be there in the front seat with her and really watch her become her own person."

Definitively, what’s the best thing about being a mother?

Gwynne: "You have a completely new purpose in life. It’s not about you anymore and even though it sounds horrible, again, I wouldn’t trade it for anything."