Karina Smirnoff is going to be a mom!
On Wednesday, the formerDancing with the Starspro announced that she is expecting her first child.
“I’m super excited to start a new chapter in my life,” Smirnoff, 41, exclusively tells PEOPLE. “I’ve always wanted to be a mom. I have so many emotions that I’m going through. I’m nervous, excited, over the moon happy and overwhelmed.”
Adds the mother-to-be, “Everyone has been so great, gracious and has given me so much information. I’m just trying to keep up! But I’m very grateful for the gift I’ve been given. I can’t wait to be a mom.”
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Karina Smirnoff.Karina Smirnoff/Instagram

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In a sweet Instagram announcement photo, Smirnoff held up a positiveFirst Response Early Resultpregnancy test, flashing a peace sign with the same hand.
“And since it’s the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to give back! I’m happily going to donate $5K to@ResolveOrgto support all couples and familieson their pregnancy journeys,” Smirnoff added. “Everyone have a great holiday!”
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Smirnoff, who prefers not to disclose the father’s identity at this time, has expressed her desire to have a family in recent years.
“I’m at the place in my life that I want to be a mom more than anything and I want to be a wife,” she previously told PEOPLE in 2015, shortly aftercalling off her engagementto Jason Adelman.
“I want to live for another human being and give that little guy or girl everything I have,” Smirnoff added at the time.
source: people.com