First, thank you all for joining us in our excitement and for the kind messages about our little “project.” We appreciate every single note and can’t wait to share the home-improvement details that come with this new chapter. Since this pregnancy began in August, we’ve been busier than ever and plan to keep you posted on everything—from big renovations to the small, messy moments.
Q: How far along are you? When are you due? Our little one—affectionately called “the bean”—is almost 15 weeks along, now in the second trimester. The official due date is May 19th, though it’s entirely possible this baby will arrive a little late (it runs in the family).
Q: When did you find out? I took a pregnancy test in early September and was already about five weeks along. I’d been feeling dizzy and nauseous, so the result wasn’t a total surprise. The afternoon we filmed our blogiversary Q&A was actually the same day we confirmed the pregnancy, which explains why we were a bit cagey in that video—we hadn’t quite processed it yet.
Q: How did you tell John? It was 5 a.m. on a Saturday when the test turned positive. I made a little card (our family tradition involves handmade cards from Burger, always misspelled and always heartfelt) and slipped it into Burger’s collar. When Burger woke John up, John read the card and I showed him the test. There was a lot of hugging, squealing, and happy chaos. John promptly got up, saying we needed to go to the farmer’s market so he could cook healthy meals for the baby—melting, truly.
Q: How long did you keep the secret from family? We waited until I was past the three-month mark—around 14 weeks—to tell our parents and the rest of the family. Partly it was fun to have a private moment together, and partly we wanted to reveal it in person during a planned trip to New York.
Q: And how did you tell them? Coincidentally, the family was gathered in New York to surprise John for his birthday. We’d tucked a tiny onesie labeled “freshly baked” into the last present he opened. The recognition was immediate—screams, hugs, disbelief, and a lot of joyful celebration. After months of keeping the news quiet, it felt wonderful to finally share it.
Q: Did you tell friends early? I called closer friends soon after telling John. Katie Bower and I had actually met in Nashville before I was pregnant, but a few days after we made the announcement I told her in confidence, which made keeping the secret a little easier. She was just as excited for us as we were for her earlier reveal.
Q: Will you find out the baby’s sex? Do you have a preference? We plan to find out the sex but want it to be a special moment—likely with the doctor writing it down so John and I can open an envelope during a quiet dinner. As for preference, we simply want a healthy baby. A chihuahua joke aside, we’re mostly eager for good health and a joyful arrival.
Q: Were there tears? We both got misty at several moments—when I told John and when we shared the news with family—but the first ultrasound was the only time actual tears fell. Seeing the little bean and hearing the heartbeat was an incredible, emotional moment.
Q: Will you ask readers for name ideas? We prefer names with personal meaning—honoring family or meaningful memories—so we won’t be crowdsourcing the final name. We’ll probably have a short list by May but intend to meet the baby first to choose a name that truly fits. Naturally, we’ll share the chosen name after the birth, along with the obligatory photo of Burger sniffing the baby.
Q: Are you showing yet? Will you share bump photos and ultrasounds? I started showing a couple of weeks ago, and people have noticed. I’ve always been small, so the bump appeared sooner than expected. We’ll include the occasional baby-related photo when it ties into a home post, but we’ll avoid gratuitous midsection shots. The blog’s focus remains decorating and DIY projects—though you’ll see some nursery updates and ultrasound highlights along the way.
Q: Will you move or which room will be the nursery? No move—this is our home and we’re keeping it. The third bedroom will become the nursery. We’ve already put up no-VOC paint swatches and started planning the makeover, even while finishing basement and bathroom projects. Practical reuse is already underway: we moved a white table from the soon-to-be nursery down to the basement to make the best use of space.
Q: What about childcare plans? We have time to figure it out. John plans to take generous paternity leave and we’re fortunate to have supportive friends and family. We’re also stockpiling posts so the blog can continue while we adjust. Teamwork, schedules, and a lot of coffee will help us balance projects and parenting.
Q: Will this change the blog to “baby central”? No. Our passion for decorating and DIY remains unchanged. There will be nursery projects and baby-related home updates—babyproofing, storage solutions, and organizational tips—but the core of the blog will stay focused on stylish, budget-friendly home improvement. Expanding our family will simply add new design challenges and ideas to explore.
Q: Are you planning eco-friendly choices like cloth diapers? Yes—we’ll aim to be as green as practical: no-VOC paints, organic materials, repurposed items, and cloth diapers. Modern reusable diapers are convenient and can offer savings over time, which is nice when you want to balance baby needs with home projects.
Q: How have you been feeling? I had morning sickness that typically lasted from about 8–10 a.m., but otherwise I’ve felt good. Moving into the second trimester has been a relief and has helped me stay active with ongoing house projects. My doctor is optimistic that the worst of the nausea will pass soon.
Thanks again for all the love and well wishes. If you want smaller updates or quick photos, we’re a bit more chatty on social channels. We’re so grateful to have you along for this journey—both the home projects and the new baby adventures.