Gospel favorite DOE Jones is expanding her family again - and this pregnancy came with a twist even she didn't see coming.
The Grammy-winning singer, whose full name is Dominique Jones, is expecting her second child with husband Orlando Palmer, and this time the couple is preparing to welcome a baby girl. Their daughter is due in September, PEOPLE exclusively confirmed.
But apparently DOE wasn't the first person in the house to realize she might be pregnant.
According to the singer, Orlando suspected the pregnancy before she did and kept urging his wife to take a test. DOE was convinced he was wrong - until she finally gave in.
"Honestly, my husband told me I was pregnant," DOE told PEOPLE, joking that Palmer seemed to have a "sixth sense."
Then came the moment of truth.
DOE said she took the test and remained in the bathroom for about 15 minutes, stunned by the result. Eventually, Palmer came looking for her, only to discover that his hunch had been right.
"I couldn't even say anything," she recalled of her reaction.
The new arrival will make the Palmers a family of four. DOE and Orlando married in August 2023 and welcomed their first child, son Shiloh, in December 2024. At the time, DOE spoke openly about the spiritual significance of becoming a mother, saying she was thankful that God had entrusted her with the responsibility of caring for her son.
Now Shiloh is about to become a big brother to a little sister.
DOE said she and Orlando have enjoyed sharing the news gradually with relatives and close friends, creating a series of intimate celebrations rather than one enormous reveal. One important decision, however, apparently remains unresolved: the baby's name.
The gospel star jokingly asked fans to pray for them as she and Orlando try to settle on the right choice.
Pregnancy cravings haven't exactly made the waiting period boring either. DOE described them as a "roller coaster," revealing that she is frequently hungry but sometimes too exhausted to get up and prepare whatever food she suddenly wants.
For longtime gospel fans, DOE's journey has unfolded in public for years. She first gained national attention singing alongside her family in Forever Jones before establishing a successful solo career with songs including "Brighter" and "When I Pray." Her music has earned major gospel recognition, while Heart of a Human received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.
But right now, another album or award isn't the only thing occupying DOE's attention.
The singer says motherhood has already taught her that parents are never completely prepared for who their children will become. And with a daughter arriving in just weeks, DOE is excited to discover the personality of the newest little Palmer.
Baby girl Palmer is coming - and judging by how Orlando called the pregnancy before the test did, Dad may want to trust that "sixth sense" when it comes time to choose her name!
