Holy cow — you had even more questions than the last time we did one of these after announcing Clara was on the way. It was so much fun answering as many as we could before the post got too long. We were smiling all day after sharing the news. We have a lot to be thankful for, and you’re definitely part of that.
Will you find out the sex of the baby? Are you taking an early blood test? Do you or John have a preference?
After Clara’s difficult birth, our main hope is simply a healthy baby. Of course, a little sister for Clara would be lovely, and a boy would be exciting since it would be a new experience for us. I have a hunch it’s a girl, but my doctor relies on the 20-week ultrasound to confirm, so we’ll likely learn the sex in November. We enjoy the guessing stage — thinking about names, nursery possibilities, and scenarios — and we’ll share the news when we know.
Is this the secret side project you mentioned previously?
No. This pregnancy was a personal secret but different from the separate side project we referenced in our blogiversary post. That other project has been in the works for over a year and is scheduled to be announced this spring. We can’t wait to share it once we get the go-ahead.
How is this pregnancy different from the first? Have you found anything that helps with morning sickness?
This time I’m feeling noticeably more fatigued, which makes sense since I have a toddler to chase around. With Clara I had morning sickness mainly in the early hours, and it eased around 16–17 weeks. This pregnancy has brought all-day nausea for a while, but I’ve adjusted to it. I’ve tried ginger candies and gum, acupressure bands, and supplements like B6, B12, and magnesium. Mostly, it’s about listening to my body and doing whatever helps me feel better in the moment. It’s all worth it.
Will this be your last baby?
We’re taking family planning one child at a time. Right now we’re happy imagining our family of four (plus the Burgs), but we won’t commit to a final decision until we’ve adjusted to two kids.
What prompted you to take a pregnancy test this time?
With Clara my earliest symptom was dizziness, and when I felt that again I decided to test. It felt surreal to see the positive result — I stared at it for a long time before it sank in.
How did you tell John?
I waited to confirm the test before saying anything. After a positive result, I hid the test on my laptop and asked John to come look at something. He noticed the test and laughed — it was a sweet, quiet moment of celebrating together.
How did you share the news with family? Did you really wait until the end of the first trimester?
Yes, we waited until the doctor gave us the OK to share, just like we did with Clara. We timed the announcement to coincide with a family gathering for John’s dad’s birthday, which made the reveal especially memorable. We leaned into a family tradition of making paper crowns, and when John placed a “Pregnant Lady” crown on my head everyone cheered. It was an emotional and joyful moment to share in person.
How did Clara react when you told her?
We told Clara the same day we told family because she’s so chatty we didn’t want her to spill the news. She was delighted — rubbing my belly, kissing it, and asking adorable questions about the baby. She’s been talking about sharing toys and being gentle, and it made me cry happy tears. She’s going to be a wonderful big sister.
Does Clara have name ideas or guesses about the sex?
She thinks it will be a girl and suggested the name “Pom-pom Petersik,” which made us laugh. We’re amused but not convinced.
How are you preparing Clara for a sibling?
We mention things casually — which room will be the baby’s, how newborns sleep a lot — and reassure her frequently that she’ll always be our first baby and loved just as much. I don’t want her to feel displaced, so I emphasize how much space there is in my heart for both children.
What’s the nickname for this pregnancy?
Clara was “the Bean,” so this baby has affectionately become “the Bun.” Between the Bean, the Burgs, and the Bun, our little trio names make us smile.
How far along are you and when is the due date?
The estimated due date has shifted a bit with measurements, but we’re roughly at 13 weeks, aiming for mid-April. Because of past complications, my doctors will monitor the timing closely and may plan a delivery slightly early if needed.
Any name ideas yet?
We prefer names with family significance. With Clara, her first and middle names honored family members, and we’ll likely follow a similar approach. We tend to wait until we know the baby’s sex before narrowing choices and probably won’t finalize anything until we meet the baby.
Will you do a weekly photo project like you did with Clara?
Yes — we love the idea and will likely do something similar, though we might tweak the format. We haven’t decided on the exact concept yet, but we’ll do a photo project to document growth and milestones.
Given Clara’s traumatic birth, how did you know it was the right time to try again, and how are you managing anxiety?
Because my previous complication was labor-related, the plan this time is close monitoring and a scheduled C-section if labor seems imminent. That approach reduces risk for both of us. Emotionally, we waited until we felt healed and ready. Time helped, and now the excitement outweighs fear. I focus on what I can control, trust my medical team, and try not to dwell on the rest.
Did you plan the pregnancy around other big events like the book tour or the move?
The book tour and the move finished before I became pregnant, which was great timing. We still have busy months ahead with a second book, the showhouse, and the secret project, so we’re planning and getting ahead where possible. We also keep in mind that many families juggle projects and kids — sometimes you just make the time for what matters most.
Will the blog change or will you take maternity leave?
We don’t have firm plans yet. We didn’t take formal maternity leave after Clara, but we did prepare posts in advance and adjusted our workflow. We’ll likely do similar planning this time and reassess if two kids require more changes. For now, we’ll keep sharing our home projects and family life as we have in the past.
Will pregnancy content be on Young House Life?
We’ll keep longer, project-focused posts here on the main site and use Young House Life for quick updates, photos, and short family stories — the same approach we used with Clara.
Any hints about the nursery?
We’ll wait to start the nursery until we know the sex, just as we did before. That gives us time to gather ideas and be thoughtful about the design closer to the due date.
Any cravings?
Same as last time: baked potatoes, salt and vinegar chips, and pickles. Classic cravings that we’re happily indulging.
Where did the fabric in your photos come from?
We found it at a local fabric outlet; it was a great deal and we’re thinking about using it either here or in the showhouse.
Are you driving again?
Yes — I’ve been driving occasionally. John still does most of the driving, but I’ll run errands or take turns on long trips to give him a break.
Any tips for DIY while pregnant?
Always use no-VOC paints and colorants in a well-ventilated space, use safer sealers when possible, and for oil-based products or spray paint either wear a proper VOC-blocking respirator or let someone else handle those tasks. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities, and be especially careful about lead paint exposure.
Will you cloth diaper again?
Yes. We kept our cloth diaper supplies and sprayers and plan to reuse them once the new baby is ready. They lasted through Clara and were worth it.
Are you nesting?
Not yet — I’ve been making lists and planning, but the intense cleaning phase usually hits later in pregnancy.
Will the pregnancy change your home to-do list?
We’ve bumped the nursery to the top of the list and will focus on smaller, non-gut projects around the house for now. Major renovations will wait until we’ve settled in and have a clearer timeline.
We’re so grateful for all the well-wishes and support you’ve sent. It means the world to us, and we’re excited to share this next chapter with you.