Miranda Lambert says her many years of dog ownership prepared her to become a stepmom earlier this year.

Lambert, 35, met now-husband Brendan McLoughlin in November 2018, just three days after he welcomed a baby with his ex-girlfriend. They wed in January, suddenly making Lambert a stepmother to a newborn.

“My stepson is amazing,” she told Extra this week. “I’m loving that whole phase, and I’ve raised a million dogs, so I feel like I’ve got that part of my womanly/motherly thing full, so this is a whole new journey. It’s great.”

McLoughlin, a New York City police officer, was reportedly engaged to a different woman earlier in 2018, before he met Lambert. The relationship ended when his expectant girlfriend contacted his fiancée to reveal she was seven months pregnant.

According to People, there was “overlap” between his relationship with his baby’s mother and with Lambert, and he has “a history of cheating.”

But it appears Lambert is taking the unorthodox situation in stride, telling Extra this week, “He’s a great guy and, bless his heart, he didn’t have any dogs or any animals at all when he came into this relationship, so he inherited a whole barn full … I was like, ‘Hey, I got the dogs, you got the kid, we can mix and mingle.'”

The country star says the two split time between New York, where his son lives, and Nashville: “We spend time in New York, we get to see our adorable nugget, then we get to come back to the farm and have the quiet life. I’m enjoying the balance.”

Earlier in 2018, before meeting McLoughlin, Lambert dated singer Evan Felker, whose wife was reportedly blindsided by the relationship. She was previously married to Blake Shelton.

One of country music’s most beloved couples has just shared heartwarming news that’s sending fans into a frenzy: Miranda Lambert

The announcement came this morning through Miranda’s personal social media, where she posted a sweet photo of the two holding hands, along with a touching caption: “We’re so excited to begin this new journey with hearts full of love. Our baby is already so loved, even before entering this world.”

The post instantly sparked an outpouring of love from fans and fellow country artists alike. Many admitted to tearing up at the news, saying they were overjoyed to see the “Queen of Country” entering such a beautiful new chapter after years of both triumphs and trials.

Brendan McLoughlin, who has always been a quiet but steady presence by Miranda’s side, also shared his joy. In a brief interview with People magazine, he said: “Miranda is going to be an incredible mom. I can’t wait to hold our little one in my arms.”

While the couple hasn’t revealed the baby’s gender or due date, sources close to them say they’re soaking up every moment of this journey and have already begun preparing a nursery at their Tennessee ranch.

Despite a packed tour schedule and a thriving career, Miranda says she has no plans to slow down creatively—only now, she’ll be accompanied by a “tiny new inspiration” every step of the way.