Snooki Pregnant 2012: Gunning for Mother of the Year

Snooki is in the midst of a MAJOR transformation ... from a sloppy, smooshy drunken idiot ... to a RESPONSIBLE mom-to-be who's taking her pregnancy very seriously ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the MTV star tell us ... ever since Snooki discovered she was with child she quit drinking, quit screwing around ... and has convinced the people around her that she could develop into "mother of the year."

We're told Snooki comes from a loving family ... she's very close with her mom ... and she completely understands what it takes to become a responsible mother.

The timing of Snooki's pregnancy couldn't have worked out better ... 'cause we're told the premise of her upcoming "Jersey Shore" spin-off reality show with Jwoww is "the last hurrah."

Sources connected to the production tell us the show will follow the girls as they transition into adulthood ... move into an adult apartment ... and take some serious adult steps with their boyfriends.

We're told the boyfriends will not have starring roles on the show ... but the relationships will be "key."

As for Snooki, we're told she has no plans to marry her BF ... yet ... even though he's most likely the baby daddy.