Before having Andy I had no idea what people meant by sleepless nights and extreme fatigue.  Then came the first four months of his life and I got it.  Loud and clear.  I wondered if things would always be so terribly exhausting.  And then it happened.  We turned a corner and I find myself wanting-all over again-to have a whole bunch of little chickies running around my feet in the future.  This time around, I know what to expect and I know that it doesn't last forever.  Because of this, I am excited to embark on it all again and enjoy the newborn stage for all it's beauties and simple pleasures. With each child I hope to find a more unselfish me.  There's a talk I ran into recently from a favorite apostle of mine that so poignantly describes the feelings I am now familiar with at times as a new mom.  He also offers the most hopeful encouragement for this role I know I am so blessed to have.  Here are my favorite snip its from his talk:

"In speaking of mothers generally, I especially wish to praise and encourage young mothers.  The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work. The young years are often those when either husband or wife—or both—may still be in school or in those earliest and leanest stages of developing the husband’s breadwinning capacities. Finances fluctuate daily between low and nonexistent. The apartment is usually decorated in one of two smart designs—Deseret Industries provincial or early Mother Hubbard. The car, if there is one, runs on smooth tires and an empty tank. But with night feedings and night teethings, often the greatest challenge of all for a young mother is simply fatigue. Through these years, mothers go longer on less sleep and give more to others with less personal renewal for themselves than any other group I know at any other time in life. It is not surprising when the shadows under their eyes sometimes vaguely resemble the state of Rhode Island...
Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones.  Mothers, we acknowledge and esteem your faith in every footstep.  Please know that it is worth it then, now, and forever...
If you will show others, including your children, the same caring, compassionate, forgiving heart you want heaven to show you; if you try your best to be the best parent you can be, you will have done all you are and better than you have ever been as you try to make honest effort, however feeble you may sometimes feel that to be...
Remember, remember all the days of your motherhood...Rely on Him.  Rely on Him heavily.  Rely on Him forever.  You are doing God's work.   You are doing it wonderfully well.  He is blessing you and He will bless you, even--no, especially--when your days and your nights may be the most challenging.  Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master's garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole"- Matthew 9:22.  And it will make your children whole as well."

-Jeffrey R. Holland