Shocking News:Jennifer Affleck Is Pregnant! The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Star Expecting Baby No. 3 with Husband Zac..See More 👇

Jennifer and Zac, who tied the knot in 2019, are also parents to Lucas, 19 months, and Nora, 3

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Jennifer Affleck is pregnant, expecting her third baby with husband Zac Affleck, the couple exclusively shares with PEOPLE.

The soon-to-be mom of three says that the newest member of the family came as a surprise to Mom and Dad. “I was a few days late, and while it was a surprise, we both had a feeling there was another baby waiting for us,” she shares. “We were very excited, there were a lot of emotions after a very crazy year!”

Their new arrival will join son Lucas, 19 months, and daughter Nora, 3, who were “beyond excited” to learn they were getting a new baby in the family.

“Nora has been hoping for a little sister, and I can tell she really wants it to be a girl!” Jennifer shares, noting she and Zac have decided to wait to find out the sex of their little one at delivery.

“I have a strong feeling it’s a girl,” the reality star admits. “I’ve dreamed about this little girl for a while now, and I truly believe she’s the one I’m carrying.”

Jennifer says that her pregnancy has been “quite a journey” so far, especially as she adjusts to the newfound interest in her life after the success of the Hulu series’ first season.

“The first trimester was really challenging mentally and physically; I experienced all the symptoms—nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and mood swings. It’s definitely been chaotic, no doubt about it,” she shares.

“I thought having two kids back-to-back was tough, but this has taken things to a whole new level. With the stress of work, motherhood, and the challenges that come with pregnancy, it’s been a lot. On top of that, I had some strong cravings and aversions — all I wanted was pho and limes with salt!”

It’s no secret that Jennifer and Zac were the talk of Salt Lake City and beyond when The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives first season debuted on Hulu in September. As fans watched their marital dynamics and drew their own conclusions, the couple dealt with constant questioning and some serious backlash.

“Season 1 took a toll, not only on my marriage but also on my mental health,” Jennifer tells PEOPLE. “There were many dark days. There’s so much more to our story than people realize.”

She adds, “While I’m not sharing all the details online, it’s been essential for our relationship and mental health to keep our journey private until we’re ready to talk about it.”

The couple is also preparing to share more of their story in the show’s second season, set to debut on Hulu this May.

“Filming can be incredibly mentally draining, and adding pregnancy along with all the challenges I faced this last season was a big challenge. After dealing with the backlash from season 1 and stepping into season 2 with a lot of baggage, this pregnancy has been the toughest,” she admits.

Pregnancy is already incredibly challenging both mentally and physically, and with everything else I was juggling, there’s no doubt this has been my hardest pregnancy yet.”

She continues, “However, those moments, along with carrying this baby, have helped me realize what truly matters most. I’ve learned that help and resources are available if you seek them. This journey has profoundly changed me and shaped the person, mother, and friend I aspire to be.”

While there have been some tough moments, there is one special upside to this pregnancy — she gets to enjoy being pregnant alongside one of the closest people to her.

“My sister also recently found out she’s pregnant after many years of trying with IVF, so we couldn’t be more excited to embark on this journey together,” she says. “Both of our parents were also absolutely thrilled to hear the news. They love being grandparents, so this was the perfect surprise for them.”