'Manzo'd With Children' Star Lauren Scalia Expecting First Child

09/15/2016 08:57 pm EDT

Manzo'd with Children star Lauren (Manzo) Scalia is expecting her first child with husband Vito Scalia.

"We are so excited to be expecting our first child, due in early 2017. What a crazy year it has been for us. Life is full of wonderful surprises!" the couple said in a statement to PEOPLE.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey alum revealed that the two have been trying for a while and are thrilled at the pregnancy.

"We had been trying to get pregnant for a while, and as soon as we stopped placing so much pressure on ourselves, it actually happened," she said.

While they don't yet know the sex of their new baby, fans should expect an announcement sooner rather than later.

"We do plan to find out the sex, and I'm team 'girl' while Vito is team 'boy!' " she admitted.

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