"It was a shock. We weren't even trying," says Rycroft-Strickland, who married insurance agent Tye Strickland in December after a sad end on 'The Bachelor' in 2009. "It's the most wonderful surprise in the world. It's such a blessing."
A 27-year-old former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, Melissa, who appeared on 'Dancing With the Stars' and will co-host ABC's 'Bachelor Pad' in August, didn't exactly have children on her mind quite yet. "[Tye] wanted the kids right away, and I was laughing at him going, 'No, not ready!'" she tells the magazine.
Rycroft-Strickland says her husband's excitement and support has been huge. "He's actually cried more than I have. Tye is caring, he's funny. He's going to be a great dad."
The two recently purchased a home near Dallas. Melissa hopes for a boy, Tye hopes for a girl. "We're going to find out as soon as we can," she says. She also adds she's "eating everything in sight" and "knowing me, I'm going to swell and gain 90 pounds."