First and foremost, our heartfelt gratitude goes out to each and every one of you for sharing in our momentous baby announcement and for showering us with your best wishes on what we affectionately call our “little project.” Your unwavering support means the world to us! This exciting new chapter, which quietly began for us back in August and already feels like an eternity ago, undeniably means we’ll be putting more effort than ever into transforming our house into a perfect family home. And rest assured, we promise to bring you along for every dirty, delightful, and detailed step of our home improvement journey. Speaking of details, we’re thrilled to momentarily pause our usual programming to dive into the multitude of questions you’ve all so thoughtfully posed since our announcement. Consider this our much-anticipated Petersik Baby Q&A, where we aim to answer everything with our characteristic blend of honesty and enthusiasm.
Your Most Pressing Baby Petersik Questions Answered!
Q: How far along are you, and when is your due date?
Our little Baby Petersik, or “the bean” as he or she is lovingly known in our household, is currently nearing 15 weeks! We’ve officially entered the second trimester, and while that’s a huge “wahooo!” for us, it seems my morning sickness hasn’t quite gotten the memo yet. So, I’m happily (and sometimes queasily) embarking on my fourth month of being “with child.” The official due date for our tiny future DIY enthusiast is May 19th. However, given our family’s track record, we have a sneaking suspicion that this little one might decide to make a grand, slightly delayed entrance into the world. Patience, we’re learning, is a virtue!
Q: When did you first discover the wonderful news?
The moment of truth arrived in early September. I took a test, and to our surprise, I was already five weeks along! The dizziness and an inexplicable nausea had already made me pretty certain, but seeing that double line appear almost instantly, before I could even formulate the question “how do you read this thing?”, solidified everything. The irony is quite profound: the very afternoon we filmed our blogiversary Q&A video was actually the same day we found out! So, when you watch us squirm and search for ambiguous, yet not outright deceitful, statements in response to the “When will you finally have kids, for crying out loud?” question (you can jump to the 3:48 mark in the video below to witness our awkwardness), you’ll understand why. Please forgive our little white lies, but we simply weren’t ready to announce such life-altering news to the entire universe just hours after discovering it ourselves.
Watching that video back now, knowing the immense significance of that filming day, brings such a rush of emotions and a few chuckles. It’s truly a special memory. And for those keen observers who remember us hinting about expanding our family for year three of blogging in this blogiversary post, you now know the secret – I was indeed already pregnant! That’s precisely why we seemed so confident that it might be “in the cards” for us this coming year; unbeknownst to many, the cards had, in fact, already been dealt.
Q: How did you share the big news with John?
The dawn was just breaking, around 5 AM on a Saturday, when I saw that definitive positive result. Overwhelmed with giddy excitement, I quietly slipped into the kitchen. Our tradition for big events – like Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, and anniversaries – involves homemade cards from our beloved dog, Burger, always charmingly misspelled. So, I set to work creating a special card from Burger for John. The front of the card playfully declared: “Harfy Fafers Day” (which, in Burger-speak, translates to “Happy Father’s Day”).
… And when you opened it, the inside read: “I wanted to get you bons but mommy has something else…” (Burger, bless his heart, can never quite spell “bones” correctly). This playful message was the perfect precursor to the real surprise.
Armed with my little DIY card and the positive test in hand, I padded back to bed, initially attempting to let John enjoy a few more hours of sleep. However, the sheer impossibility of keeping such monumental news to myself became apparent within about ten seconds. So, with a mischievous grin, I intentionally roused Burger, knowing his happy little wiggles and tail-wagging were the perfect alarm clock for John. Once John was groggily stirring, I quickly tucked the card into Burger’s collar – his preferred method of delivery. As John sleepily read the front, then flipped to the inside, I dramatically pulled out my positive pregnancy test and beamed. “Seriously?!” was his immediate, disbelieving response. What followed was a blur of non-words, joyous hugs, and excited squeals that lasted for quite a while. The most endearing part was how quickly John sprang to his feet just two minutes later, hurriedly getting dressed and declaring we *had* to go to the farmer’s market to stock up on organic fruits and vegetables so he could cook healthy meals for me and the baby. In that moment, I pretty much melted. It became abundantly clear right then that he is destined to be the world’s most incredible dad.
Q: How long did you manage to keep the secret from your family?
It was an absolutely grueling challenge, but we held out until I was past the three-month mark, specifically 14 weeks along, before sharing the news with our parents and the rest of the family. There were two primary reasons for this extended wait. Firstly, it was incredibly fun and special to have “our little secret” for that initial, precious period – a private joy just for us. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, we were determined to tell all of our parents in person. This meant patiently waiting until our scheduled trip to New York to visit my mom and dad last weekend, ensuring everyone received the news face-to-face, which made the reveal so much more personal and memorable.
Q: And how did you orchestrate the family announcement?
The perfect opportunity arose on John’s birthday Sunday. All of our parents were planning to be in New York at my mom’s house for a “surprise” birthday breakfast for him. Of course, he wasn’t *supposed* to know that his mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, and baby nephew were going to show up – though I had subtly convinced him it would be the ideal morning for a reveal, so he had a vague inkling. That morning, everyone arrived as planned, including my brother, Almost-Dr-Dan, and his fiancée, which was even a lovely surprise for me! John put on his best mock-shocked face, and we settled in for a hearty Italian breakfast, complete with chocolate birthday cake. After the feast, we moved on to opening presents. The grand finale was a gift from me, which we had strategically placed within the pile. As John reached for it, he surveyed the room, brimming with unsuspecting family members, and announced, “It was so wonderful for you all to surprise me… but Sherry and I actually have a little surprise for you in return.” With that, he dramatically pulled out a tiny onesie, emblazoned with the words “freshly baked.”
And there it was. Immediate recognition dawned on everyone’s faces. What followed was an explosion of screaming, disbelief, jumping, clapping, and joyous belly-rubbing – once I finally removed the giant jacket I had been strategically wearing for months to conceal my growing baby bump. After what felt like an eternity of waiting, and dressing in increasingly blob-like attire to keep our precious “secret” under wraps, the news was finally out in the open. To say it was euphoric doesn’t even begin to capture the overwhelming emotion and sheer joy of that moment.
Q: We know Katie Bower told you she was expecting even before her own husband! So, how and when did you tell her? And were you pregnant when you were in Nashville together?
No, I hadn’t yet been “prego-fied” when we had our incredibly fun and giddy meet-up in Nashville. It was truly exciting to spend time with Katie when she was in those very early stages of her pregnancy, sharing in her budding joy. As for our news, I actually called her and spilled the beans just a few days after I told John. It was such a relief and a wonderful experience, because keeping such a significant secret from all of our friends and family for an entire first trimester was genuinely hard work! Having a trusted confidante like Katie, who understood exactly what we were going through, was absolutely awesome. And yes, true to form, Katie squealed just as loudly and enthusiastically for my big reveal as I did for hers. We truly love that girl!
Q: Will you be finding out the baby’s sex, and will you share it with us? Do you have a preference for a boy or a girl?
After a great deal of consideration and many thoughtful discussions, we’ve decided we are simply too excited not to find out the sex of our baby! The anticipation is almost unbearable. Our plan is to have the doctor write it down for us, then we’ll go on a special dinner date together to ceremoniously open the envelope. It will be a sweet, private moment just for us before we share the news with the wider world. And yes, absolutely, we promise to share the exciting news on the blog very quickly thereafter! As for a boy or girl preference, honestly, our deepest hope is simply for a healthy little guy or gal. Although, we’ve joked that it would be quite hilarious if it turned out to be a chihuahua – our furry friend Burger might have some competition then!
Q: Did finding out make you cry? Did John?
Ooh, that’s a really good question! We both definitely got misty-eyed on a few occasions throughout this journey – first, when I told John, and then again when we shared the news with our parents, to name a couple. However, the only time tears truly left our eyeballs and openly dribbled down our cheeks was during our very first ultrasound appointment. The moment we saw our tiny “bean” flickering on the screen and heard that strong, rhythmic heartbeat for the very first time, we were both completely awestruck. And yes, we were furiously swiping at our cheeks, trying to discreetly wipe away the tears. It was an incredibly big, profoundly emotional moment – a powerful reminder of how much we have to be thankful for.
Q: Will you poll blog readers for name ideas? And what are your general thoughts on baby names – do you lean towards unconventional or conventional?
We tend to gravitate towards names that carry a deep personal meaning for us – whether they honor a cherished family member, commemorate a significant place, or reference something uniquely special to our journey. So, we’re sorry to disappoint, folks, but our “bean’s” future moniker won’t be up for public debate here on the blog! In fact, while we plan to have a few top picks narrowed down by May, our preference is to actually meet the little lad or lady first before making a final, definitive choice. We want to be absolutely sure we select a name that genuinely “fits” their personality and spirit. Of course, once our wee one makes their grand entrance into the world, we will absolutely share their full name, along with the obligatory and adorable “Burger-sniffs-baby” photo!
Q: Are you showing yet? Will you share baby bump photos and ultrasound pictures with us?
I actually “popped” about two weeks ago, so yes, I am showing like you wouldn’t believe! It’s quite amusing; strangers are already congratulating me at the grocery store – and I admit, I absolutely eat it up! I know it might seem early to some, but I’ve always been on the smaller side (5’2” and around 115 lbs), so it’s been pretty hard for me to conceal a grapefruit-sized uterus. My 4’11” mom also assures me it runs in the family, as she showed almost immediately with both her pregnancies too. (She also had a two-hour labor with me and a one-hour labor with my brother, so I’m really, really hoping *that* particular trait also runs in the family!) This early bump onset might also explain my subtle avoidance of full-body photos for the last few weeks; belly-obscuring shots, like the one below, became the norm for a while there.
While I’m sure my belly-full-of-baby will inevitably make an appearance in some video tutorials and home-related posts along the way (it’s hard to completely avoid it!), we’re going to spare you from any gratuitous, mid-section-focused bump shots. With so many exciting projects lined up for our house in the coming months, we’re more than happy to keep the focus precisely where it has always been: on decorating, home improvements, and innovative DIY solutions. Plus, we firmly believe in keeping a few things off the internet, right? And what better place to start than with images of my uterus?
Q: Does this exciting news mean you guys will be moving? If not, which room will become the nursery?
Absolutely not! Moving is definitely not in our plans. We genuinely adore our house too much and have poured far too much love and effort into it to even consider giving up on it now. Since we are certain there’s just one little one on the way, the third bedroom will unequivocally become the nursery. In fact, we’ve already started the exciting process! We have no-VOC paint swatches up on the walls, and our minds are buzzing with brainstorming sessions for the big makeover. However, we also still have to finish our basement renovation and a full bathroom remodel… so yes, it’s safe to say we are going to be incredibly busy! But that’s exactly how we like it.
Oh, and for those exceptionally observant folks who might have noticed that we recently moved the white table that used to serve as our stationery and gift-wrapping station from the third bedroom…
… down to the basement, now you know precisely why! Since we already knew there wouldn’t be room for it in the soon-to-be nursery, we wanted to proactively integrate it into our ongoing basement makeover. It’s all about working strategically with what you have and making every inch count!
Q: What are your plans for childcare? Will you hire a nanny, or will John become a stay-at-home dad?
We still have a good six months to meticulously iron out all the details, but our current plan involves John taking a very generous paternity leave when our newborn arrives. We feel incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful network of friends and family who have already enthusiastically offered a helping hand – and more than a few comforting casseroles, which we anticipate will be life-savers! Furthermore, we’re planning to dedicate a significant amount of time beforehand to writing and stockpiling a ton of blog posts. This strategy will ensure we have a ready supply of content, which should buy us a crucial bit of adjustment time without robbing you, our dear readers, of the frequent projects and eye-candy home inspiration you’ve come to expect. We know it will take a village, but we’re confident we’ll figure it out. We thrive on learning as we go, and honestly, who needs sleep anyway when there’s so much to do and experience?
Q: But seriously, when you’re a new parent, projects that used to take an hour can suddenly stretch into a week. How will you manage?
We understand this challenge intimately. We truly do. We’ve already welcomed three adorable newborns into our extended family this year, so we’ve had a front-row seat to the beautiful chaos that comes with new parenthood. We’ve even managed to sneak away for week-long vacations in the past, with no reader being the wiser, thanks to our diligent stockpiling of posts and approving comments on the go. However, we are fully aware that bringing home our own baby will be an entirely new ballgame – a monumental shift. Let’s just say we’re cautiously optimistic, armed with our extensive experience as pros at working round the clock, expertly squeezing things in, and always, always getting ‘er done.
In short: our approach will be a strong team effort. We’ll switch off with each other, utilizing every precious moment – I’ll nurse while John tackles a hammering project, or he’ll read bedtime stories while I frame something new for the gallery wall. And of course, we’ll ensure there’s an abundance of dedicated family time woven into our busy schedule. We plan to rely heavily on our amazing friends, supportive relatives, our unwavering passion for what we do, copious amounts of caffeine, each other’s strength, and anything else that keeps us happily going. It also helps immensely to see other full-time bloggers with babies who brilliantly make it work, like Heather at Dooce and Abby at Style Me Pretty. And the truly amazing undertakings of this incredible mom of four (!) inspire me to no end. We’ve poured two years, countless hours, weekends, and vacations into lovingly raising this “blog baby” of ours, so we are absolutely dedicated to nurturing it right alongside Baby P. Our commitment to both our family and our passion remains steadfast.
Q: Is Burger excited about becoming a big brother?
He absolutely is! The mere prospect of future jam-covered fingers and the inevitable extra crumbs scattering across the floor has his little tail wagging with unparalleled enthusiasm. We truly believe he’ll be a wonderful little helper, as long as he doesn’t try to give his little brother or sister a full-on tongue bath – a distinct possibility given his affectionate nature! He adores all of his pint-sized nieces and nephews, so we’re confident he’ll extend that same love and protective spirit to Baby P.
Q: Where did you find that adorable shirt for Burger?
We snagged that fantastic shirt from the T-Shirt Deli. It’s honestly one of the coolest concepts ever! You get to personalize everything – choosing the font, color, and style of the tee. Then, when it arrives, it’s charmingly wrapped up in paper, just like a sub sandwich, complete with “made fresh” stickers and even a real bag of potato chips nestled in the box. It’s a wonderfully unique experience from start to finish. And we think it hugs Burger in all the right places, making him look extra dapper!
Q: Sherry, do you have any weird cravings?
Oh, do I! My current, almost constant craving is baked potatoes. All the time, seriously! It’s quite crazy, but I suppose my body might be signaling a need for vitamin C, B6, or potassium. Or, perhaps, I just have an overwhelming desire for the comforting taste of warm, melty carbohydrates. At least it’s nothing too outlandish or strange… yet!
Q: How have you been feeling overall? Did your first trimester leave you completely wiped out?
Aside from the persistent morning sickness that, thankfully, only seems to last from 8 to 10 AM each day, I’ve honestly felt like a million bucks! I was fully bracing myself for extreme tiredness or splitting headaches to kick in, but now that I’m firmly into my second trimester, it seems I’ve managed to dodge those particular bullets. At least for now, and that’s a huge relief! This good fortune has been incredibly helpful because we’ve been crazy busy with the basement project (don’t worry, John handled all the DryLoking and floor painting, so I didn’t have to go anywhere near those unpleasant fumes – and even he wore his mask diligently). As for the whole morning sickness thing, after about 90 days or so of “tossing my cookies” each morning and then going on to have a completely normal day afterwards, it’s almost evolved into a strange sort of hobby. I affectionately call it “lovesick” instead of “morning sick,” because it serves as a daily, if slightly uncomfortable, reminder that my little “bean” is busy doing his or her thing in there, which always manages to make me smile – even when I’m leaning over the bowl. And the truly good news is that my doctor thinks it’ll finally end any day now (something about week 16 being magical?). Nice!
Q: Will you be opting for a “green” baby approach and using cloth diapers?
We are absolutely committed to doing the eco-friendly thing wherever we possibly can! This means continuing to use no-VOC paints in our home, selecting organic materials, and creatively repurposing items whenever possible. And yes, we definitely plan to use cloth diapers! They’ve come an incredibly long way from the large squares of fabric secured with safety pins in the corners. We’ve heard so many fantastic things about brands like BumGenius (they even offer convenient one-size-fits-all snap varieties), so our fingers are crossed that we can successfully hack it. We’ve seen firsthand from family members how quickly disposable diapers can pile up, both in landfills and by emptying wallets. In fact, we read that people save an average of $2000 or more by choosing reusable diapers – and that’s a significant amount of money that can be happily reallocated towards more home improvements and exciting nursery upgrades!
Q: Is this blog going to completely transform into “baby central” with constant symptom rundowns and baby chatter?
Absolutely not! While our lives are certainly embarking on a thrilling new adventure, decorating and home improvement have always been, and will remain, our true passion. Although there’s now a bun in the oven, it in no way diminishes our insatiable hunger for amazing before-and-after transformations, incredible steals and deals, ingenious cheap DIY projects, comprehensive step-by-step tutorials, and all the other inspiring content we’ve happily whipped up for you over the past two-plus years. Heck, you could even call them a craving of ours! Our house and our lives are undeniably, inherently changed by this little “development,” but while there will certainly be some dedicated posts about the nursery makeover and other house-related adjustments – such as restructuring a closet to make room for new baby items, thoroughly babyproofing Casa Petersik, and tackling clutter reduction with renewed vigor – the core focus will steadfastly remain on decorating, creating a DIY storm, and making spaces work harder and smarter, all on a budget. We actually like to think that we’ll discover even more innovative home-related tips and tricks as our family expands, precisely because we’ll encounter entirely new design challenges and need to figure out how to sort and store even more in our beloved, albeit tiny, house.
Q: I hope this means you’ll finally be putting away all of those white ceramic animals of yours!
Okay, so that’s not technically a question, but it’s a perfectly valid and timely reminder that our house is definitely not babyproofed yet! We know there’s absolutely going to be a significant learning curve when it comes to making our home safe and welcoming for tiny, curious hands. Those delicate ceramic animals on a high shelf, perhaps? Or relocated to a non-kid room, like the guest bedroom? We’re eager to take on the challenge of maintaining a stylish yet thoroughly kid-friendly home – all while blogging about the entire process, of course. It’s just another exciting design problem to solve!
Q: Besides the nursery, what other home improvement projects are you frantically rushing to complete by May?
That’s an excellent question! We still have a slew of basement projects on our plate, including obscuring the windows for privacy, building a screen for a projector, and finally hanging some art to make it feel finished. And then, we have a complete bathroom gut job on the agenda that we plan to start in just a few short weeks. Yikes! It’s definitely going to get a little crazy around here, but we promise to keep you posted every single step of the way, sharing all the highs and lows. Oh, and did we mention that we already stumbled upon some amazing mocha-colored marble tile for the bathroom floor on clearance for an incredible $2.50 a square foot? Stay tuned for many more details on that fantastic find!
So, there you have it! Consider yourselves fully up-to-speed on all the exciting Petersik pregnancy news. If you’re eager for more little updates and periodic baby news, beyond our regular home improvement content, be sure to follow us on Twitter or fan us on Facebook. We’re known to veer off into more random and personal tidbits much more frequently over there. And one more colossal THANK YOU for all the incredibly kind well wishes and overwhelming encouragement. It feels so incredibly good to have you all sharing in our immense excitement as we embark on this beautiful new chapter.