Kim Kardashian [1] announced that she's expecting baby number two [2] during a Keeping Up With the Kardashians sneak peek on May 31, and the reality star has never looked happier! But while the world doesn't know too many details about baby West other than reports that it might be a boy, the happy news is already worlds away from her pregnancy with her first child, daughter North. Since welcoming little "Nori" in June 2013, Kim and her husband, Kanye West [3], have undergone a series of major life changes. Kim is no longer involved in a bitter breakup, they've moved into their dream home, and they made things official by getting hitched in Italy. Keep reading to see more ways Kim's second pregnancy is different from her first, then check out how North reacted to the news of being a big sister [4].
— Additional reporting by Nick Maslow
She's working with a nutritionist.
Kim has spoken openly about being intensely uncomfortable with her weight gain during her first pregnancy, but she's determined not to do that this time around. She spoke to us at the Hype Energy Drinks launch in Nashville on June 2 about making healthier decisions with baby number two. "I have a nutritionist that I was seeing before to try to get me to start eating healthier, thinking maybe that would help me get pregnant, so I've learned a lot," Kim said. "My last pregnancy, I ate a doughnut every single day. I'm not doing that this time. But I'm also gonna take it easy and enjoy myself, where as last time I was so uncomfortable. You know, pregnancy is not the most comfortable thing for me but I'm really gonna try to embrace it this time."
She's not going through a difficult time in her life.
Kanye announced Kim's first pregnancy in December 2012 when he referred to her as his "baby mama" while performing at a concert [5] in Atlantic City, NJ. At the time, Kim was still legally married to her ex Kris Humphries. The two remained in a bitter divorce battle for most of Kim's pregnancy before reaching an undisclosed settlement in April 2013. The divorce was finalized on June 3, 2013, just 12 days before Kim gave birth to North.
She's been with Kanye for a while.
When Kim and Kanye revealed they were expecting their first child, the couple had only been dating for nine months. This time around, they have more than three years of romance under their belt and are definitely past the whirlwind phase of starting a new relationship.
They're married.
After saying "I do" in a lavish Italian ceremony in May 2014, Kim and Kanye celebrated their first wedding anniversary this year. Kim commemorated the special occasion by sharing never-before-seen photos [6] from their big day on Instagram. And while the two were still committed to each other when Kim was pregnant with North, she has the luxury this time around of not having to worry about planning a wedding or answering questions about getting engaged.
They finally have a home base.
During Kim's first pregnancy and for the better part of North's life, Kim and Kanye lived in a bedroom [7] in her mom Kris's house. Now, the couple are settled into their $20 million dream home [8] in Hidden Hills, CA, with plenty of space for their growing family.
She's come into her own.
Kim has always been known for her over-the-top fashion and admitted addiction to fame. But while she played it rather safe before, she really seems to have figured out who she is in recent years. She opened up about her newfound confidence [9] in the July issue of Glamour, saying, "I'm a completely different person. I don't know if it's growing up or being with Kanye, who's more private, but I try and live my off time as privately as possible. I used to enjoy the spotlight. If I had a day off from filming, I didn't know what to do. Now I enjoy my family time so much, there is this sense of, If it all went away, and I was just a mom, I would love my life."
She's prepared for any pregnancy hardships.
Kim has been eager to expand her family despite going through a very difficult first pregnancy with North. While she revealed to Ellen DeGeneres [10] in January 2014 that she wouldn't wish her pregnancy on anyone [11], the reality star has had a change of tune and is willing to go through it all again. And now that she's documented her difficult year with fertility issues [12] on her family's reality show, being pregnant again is that much more special.
She knows what to expect.
Becoming a first-time mom is scary for any woman, but when you're set to welcome your second child, you're more familiar with what to expect. While having two kids is an entirely different story than having one, Kim's experiences with North can give her the confidence she might have been lacking the first time around.