Essence Atkins Is Pregnant!

Congratulations are in order for the 39-year-old actress, who announced today that she’s expecting her first child with husband Jaime Mendez.

“Our gratitude is overwhelming to have found each other and adding a baby to our happy home is truly a dream come true,” the couple tells PEOPLE Magazine. “We are both elated and humbled by this amazing gift.”

Atkins is best known for playing Dee Dee Thorne on the UPN sitcom “Half & Half” and her role as Yvette Henderson on the WB series “Smart Guy.” She currently stars in the TBS series “Are We There Yet?” based on the film of the same name.

Atkins and Mendez were married in Pasedena, California in September 2008, a year and a half after the couple met through the popular dating website, Match.com.