Ben Higgins and Jessica Clarke’s the relationship grows strong as they prepare for their next adventure: parenthood.
Higgins, 35, spoke exclusively to PEOPLE at his Thursday, Dec. 5, baby shower. During the conversation, the former told Bachelor star praised Clarke, 29, who is due in February, for working to keep their relationship healthy during her pregnancy.
“It’s a credit to my wife (and) her energy levels,” he tells PEOPLE exclusively. “Even though I know she’s tired, she’s still fought to keep our relationship healthy and fresh.”
Higgins then shared that his relationship with his wife hasn’t changed significantly since they found out they were expecting, noting that they still go to the movies and plan date nights.
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Higgins also revealed that their nursery is completely finished – but only because he knew he might “panic” if he waited too long.
“I did it. My mom came out and helped me with it and then Jessica helped me finish it,” he recalled. “It’s done. It’s done. The crib is set up, the chairs in there,” adding, “As soon as I found out my wife was pregnant, I started working on it because I knew I was going to start getting a little scared towards the end and I want it done before I started having panic attacks, so it’s done now.
While the nursery may be complete, the star shared that the reality of fatherhood not fully set yet.
“Does it feel real? Yes. But at the same time, no, because my wife is the one (who is) pregnant. I work from home and she works in an office. So she comes home sometimes at six o’clock and she walks around the corner, I say: “How you’re pregnant, I forgot today.”
Jessica Clarke Higgins/instagram
The pair have also settled into a sweet nighttime routine, with Higgins sharing that “So every night — this is what Jessica does — she pulls up her shirt and I (lay) my head on her belly and I (talk) to the baby girl inside her belly And we both have similar dreams and hopes and fears and things that I talk to her about.”
“And then our dog, Waylon, puts his head down every night and he falls asleep on or near her stomach,” he continued. “And it’s the craziest, coolest thing because he’s never been that dog. He’s never been a cuddly dog. And he literally curls up and he gets so close and so sweet to her.”
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As for their upcoming vacation plans? The couple are set to go to the Breakers resort in Palm Springs for a babymoon and then head to Florida to celebrate Christmas with their families.
” … Our babymoon and this Florida trip I think will be a little bit of icing on the cake before we relax and we really settle down,” he said, adding, “And we really will settle down. We’re going to hang out at our house for weeks before the baby is born, and I’m excited about that time.
