Make way for more Duggars!
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar of Tonitown, Ark., who have 18 children and one grandchild on the way, are expecting a new addition to their household – baby No. 19 will arrive in the spring.
"We are so thrilled," says Michelle, 42. "We just couldn't believe it is happening." Jim Bob, 44, agrees: "This never gets old. We are so grateful for each child. We are looking forward to our first grand baby and our 19th child."
Oldest son Joshua, 21 and his wife Anna, 21, are expecting daughter Mackynzie Renée next month, so she will be older than her new aunt or uncle.
"I think it is going to be awesome, it is going to be great," says Josh about the news that his parents are expecting. "We have been looking forward to the arrival of my little girl and to now get to celebrate for my parents, it's a wonderful thing."
"I love all of this, it is so fun," says Michelle. "Anna and I will have babies five months apart. My mother and my sister were pregnant at the same time and it was really wonderful. The kids were really close and still are. I have a nephew who grew up with me, we're just three months apart."
The Duggars live debt-free in a house they built themselves with their kids, whose names all begin with J: after Josh there are twins Jana and John-David, 19; Jill, 18; Jessa, 16; Jinger, 15; Joseph, 14; Josiah, 13; Joy-Anna, 11; twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah, 10; Jason, 9; James, 8; Justin, 6; Jackson, 5; Johanna, 3; Jennifer, 2, and Jordyn-Grace, 8 months. Their lives are featured on TLC's 18 Kids and Counting, airing Tuesday nights.
Despite being pregnant 18 times before, Michelle says this pregnancy came as a shock, although her daughters wondered why she was eating more pickles than usual.
"I was wanting pickles and the older girls were saying, 'Mom, you only crave these at the very beginning of being pregnant, You kept it from us before, now tell us. Are you?'" Michelle says. "And I kept telling them I wasn't. I just wanted some pickles."
But when she couldn't lose weight on her diet, she became suspicious.
"I was in Weight Watchers with Jim Bob and I wasn't losing any weight," she says. "I couldn't figure it out. I was doing what I should. And the baby, who was nursing, was fussy. I kept thinking, 'This isn't right. She isn't teething, she doesn't have an ear infection. I'm not cheating on my diet, I should be losing weight.' Then, I put two and two together and wondered if I could possibly be pregnant."
She took out one of two tests she had in the house and it was immediately positive.
The Duggars recently renewed their wedding vows – they've been married 25 years and one month – and say that the ceremony was a wonderful way for their own children to understand the commitment of marriage.
"We got married when Michelle was 17 and I was 19," Jim Bob says. "We were married in the hallway of a church because at the time they had no sanctuary. There were plastic chairs and crepe paper. So, when we renewed our vows, we did it in that same hallway and we splurged to make bows out of a plastic white table cloth this time, but we still had plastic chairs. I think it is important to have the kids see that commitment themselves."
Michelle says that since she was 36 years old, her doctor has given her and Jim Bob pamphlets about prenatal testing since there is an increase of risk of health problems in babies with older mothers. But, she says they don't worry about those risks and don't take the tests.
"We know what could happen," she says. "We read through the information. If the Lord chooses to give us challenges along the way, we know His grace will be there, so we don't opt to do the testing."
As far as her own health, her doctor told PEOPLE when her last child was born that Michelle's health was excellent: "Some women are made to have babies, and Michelle is to the nth degree," ob-gyn Amy Sarver told PEOPLE in December. "She is in terrific health without any strain on her uterus."
"I'm feeling nauseous right now," she says. "And, I'm tired. I am happy for the feelings of morning sickness and I'm happy for every day I get to play with my kids. We don't know what tomorrow holds and so I try to enjoy every moment."
Already, names are being discussed in the Duggar household: Jessa, 16, has printed up a list of J-names for boys and girls that have yet to be used by a Duggar, Michelle says.
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17 comments:
You know, my grandmother had 14 kids- and she isn't healthy. Having that many kids messes a person up inside. And as a nurse, it is even harder to see this. The health of the baby is now in jeopardy.
But, I must say best of luck to the family.
It is absolutely appaling to hear that Michelle Duggar is PREGNANT AGAIN! I mean come on she is about to be a grandmother. Now I just think that she is doing this for the publicity or the cameras. I know that those children are mortified because now they have to take care of yet another baby. I mean when is she is ever gonna stop.ENOUGH IS ENOUGH MICHELLE its not cute anymore!!!
It is absolutely appaling to hear that Michelle Duggar is PREGNANT AGAIN! I mean come on she is about tobe a grandmother.Now I just think that she is doing this for the publicity or the cameras. I know that those children are mortified because now they have to take care of yet another baby. I mean when is she is ever gonna stop.
I think its ridiculous that she is having yet another child. The children are taking care of each other. I can only imagine that some of them are going to start to feel resentment towards their parents due to the large family size. I sure would and I have friends that felt way.
I think...if they felt they did not want to have anymore children....they would do something about it...However, they don't and that is their decision...WTG Michelle, you stand up for what you believe is right for you! For those who don't agree, Michelle is not asking you to have 19 children, so don't!
Wow another baby! Thats great,if it is God's will than the 19th is just as big a blessing as all the rest. A home full of faith is one full of love and respect for one another. Congrats Michelle!
I think this has come to a point where it is beyond rediculous.I think you need to devote your attention to the many children you already have been given.You should be focusing on becoming a grandmother now.Your son and daughter in law deserve the attention now and you are taking that away from them.There are some women that can't even have 1 child how do you think this makes them feel?
Hello I think that this is a wonderful blessing from God. If I have had the support of my husband as you do I would have had that many as well. God will not put more on you than you can bare. Some people can have a lot of children and some can't. Forget what others say about birth control or cameras, you do you and let them do them. Keep it up and keep the faith. I enjoy watching your family grow.
I personally believe that the number of children a couple has is between them and God. I myself would never have that many children but it's their decision. They are providing for their children and raising them properly which is more than some couples with only 1 child do. I don't think other's have the right to criticize and post negative comments for the public to read. I wish the Duggar family the best of luck! God Bless!
What a disgusting couple. As if there aren't enough people in the world without these two hicks popping out yet another!
She is "happy for the feelings of morning sickness"? Are you freaking kidding me? Now I know this lady is crazy.
"Wow another baby! Thats great,if it is God's will than the 19th is just as big a blessing as all the rest. A home full of faith is one full of love and respect for one another. Congrats Michelle!" I agree 100% with who ever posted this. I have 3 great kids with my hubby and he has two from his first marraagie and two healthy happy grandbabies. I had my tubes cut and burned but the Good Lord said nope you need one more and so in Feb I am due again! You can try to mess with God but he makes it happen his way his timing!!!!
I think its amazing that she can still get pregnant. But it is all God. He definatly has His hand in all of this. They are one blessed family and I pray that this pregnancy goes well and that she and baby are healthy. Congratulations Duggars on #19!!!
I think that it is crazy. In this society, no one should be having that many kids. And sit down and think about it, you don't have time to give equal attention to each of them individually. The children are raising children, it's not right. You think "God gave you this". It is a matter of being careful. He didn't give anything. And now, the baby's health is at risk as well. You should think about that before you go and have more children at your age. No child should have to endure what you are doing to the children that you have and now another. And to think people are thinking so little of "Jon and Kate Gosselin". This situation is worse as far as the children are concerned. Please consider the children more when you keep deciding to have more and more children.
To all of you who have negative things to say about this family; do you really think they or anyone else cares about your opinion? You should be playing with your kids or doing something productive instead of spending time talking about people you don't know.
To all those who have negative things to say about this family must not know what family is all about. A family is about loving each other, being the shoulder to cry on, the ears that will listen and not jugde, the helping hand when things get tough. Its not about the number of children you have. If there is enough love to go around, why not have another. Im on my third and I dont plan on stopping till my body tells me to as well. Children are gifts from g-d why should we pick and chose how many and which ones to have. I agree with the people who say we are only given what we can handle. Weather it be 19 children or one. We will all be tested at some point in our lives and pushed to our limits. I strongly believe in the end of it all we come out of it stronger and wiser. I say way to go Duggars. And one last thought for miss Im a nurse. Michelles doc says she is in good health. Not everyone is made the same. Its one of the first things I learned back in grade 8. Did you miss that class?
I think shes absolutely INSANE!!! But I think they are amazing parents! I have two boys that are 2 and 3 and I get STRESSED out being a stay at home mom. She's amazing and inspiring. If she can handle that many, I can handle my two.... My dad had another child at 50, so his son is one month younger than my youngest son! My boys' uncle is younger than them! But it's cute:) I can only pray that my children turn out to be as wonderful as her kids. I'm not religous. I believe in god but not the bible and unfortunately I don't go to church but I hope I can bring up children that respect themselves and other people like the duggar children do...
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