Josie Brooklyn Duggar's TV Debut!

Hot off the press! Josie Brooklyn Duggar made her TV debut on the first episode of 19 Kids and Counting! "Special Duggar Delivery"...

The past several weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for the Duggar family, and fans across the globe have been anxious to hear from them. In early December, Michelle Duggar visited the emergency room for a kidney pain and was quickly airlifted to UAMS in Little Rock. Several days later, after her condition seemed to be improving, Michelle's blood pressure skyrocketed to 200, and she was diagnosed with preeclampsia.

The doctors made the tough decision to deliver baby Josie almost 4 months early! Seconds after her birth, Josie Brooklyn, weighing a mere 1 pound 6 ounces, was whisked away. "Her head is the size of a pool ball," Jim Bob told his wife, "but she is beautiful." Josie's siblings were filled with awe when they met their newest sister days later. All were amazed that life can be sustained at such a young, young age. Tune into TLC on Tuesday night at 9/8 Central for "Josie Duggar's First Christmas!"

Feel free to share your preemie stories to encourage others who are walking down this road, and stay tuned for more information on baby Josie! 

Supporting 19 Children

The Duggars' motto is "Buy Used and Save the Difference." What does this mean? Ever since they were "1 and Counting," the family has bought second-hand clothing and furniture at thrift stores. They also purchase used home goods on eBay  and at GovSales. For food, which costs the Duggars an average of $3000 per month, which works out to $36,000 each year, the family shops at ALDI. 

Don't Miss Josie Duggar!

Josie Duggar makes her TV debut tomorrow evening! Tune into TLC at 8/7 Central and 11/10 Central for the premiere of "19 Kids and Counting!" Special Duggar Delivery. If you're busy on Sunday and don't have a TIVO or DVR, there will be two reruns of the episode at the same times on Tuesday evening.
Tune in Tuesday at 9/8 Central for "19 Kids and Counting," Josie Duggar's First Christmas. Watch as the Duggars prepare for a super-size Christmas, purchasing gifts for each other and for baby Josie. As the family gathers around the hospital bed of their 19th child, they will take us back in time by sharing holiday memories from previous years.
If you are a Duggar fan, or simply searching for a fascinating and wholesome TV show, don't miss these TLC shows!

The Duggars Share: Josie's Future

Looking back on December 10th, Jim Bob and Michelle admit that it was one of the scariest moments of their lives. Being told on that day that their 19th child needed to be delivered within half an hour was difficult news.
Jim Bob says that doctors have told them to "never trust a preemie." Although Josie is doing well now, she must remain in the hospital until she is strong. The hospital predicts that she will be send home near her mid-March due date.
Jim Bob and Michelle and their brood of 17 remain in Little Rock in a house that they have leased in order to be close to Josie. Josh, the eldest Duggar child, stayed behind in Tontitown with his wife Anna and daughter Mackynzie. Michelle shares her joy at seeing her daughter grow. "It is amazing how they can sustain life at such a tiny, tiny age!"

Joise Update From the Duggars!

The moment we have all been waiting for!

Josie Brooklyn Duggar, the 19th child of Jim Bob and Michelle, celebrates her 7th week of life. She was born fifteen weeks early at 1 pound 6 ounces due to her mother's preeclampsia. Josie is still in the NICU at the Arkansas Children's Hospital, but her family is thankful that she has improved and is doing very well. Josie was just recently taken off a ventilator and is drinking breast milk through a tube. Blessed to have access to modern medicine, Jim Bob told People magazine, "We are so grateful for the ability to help her." Jill, one of the oldest Duggar children, excitedly shared what it was like to meet her baby sister. "She is so precious!...Her whole hand can barely wrap around my pinkie!"

Michelle and Jim Bob's First Date

Did you know that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, parents of 19 children, were high school sweethearts?
Jim Bob visited Michelle's house with a friend. Michelle, age 15, barely remembers the meeting, but it changed Jim Bob's life. As he sat there in Michelle's living room, it was love at first sight. It wasn't until a year later that Jim Bob, one year older than Michelle, mustered up the courage to ask her out on a date. After attending a banquet at Jim Bob's school, the two gathered in Michelle's living room once again, but this time they talked for four hours! By then, Michelle was convinced that Jim Bob was the man for her.

Why Do the Duggars Like "J" Names?

Thousands of fans have wondered what is up with the Duggar family and the letter "J." The truth is that Jim Bob and Michelle did not plan for this, so how exactly did it happen? As new parents, they fell in love with the name Joshua, after the courageous biblical character. Nearly two years later, Jim Bob and Michelle needed to find names for their twins. Two names that they liked, Jana and John-David, just happened to start with the letter "J." Not knowing how many more children God would bless them with, the young parents of three decided to name their next child, Jill, with a "J" name, just in case she was the last. As their family began to grow, Jim Bob and Michelle continued the tradition so that none of their children would feel left out. So that's how they ended up with a brood of nineteen whose names all begin with the same letter. The family has had a lot of fun choosing unique "J" names over the year; everyone likes to help.

What is your favorite "J" name? Feel free to add a comment!

Hi There Duggar Fans!

We appreciate all of the kind comments on our blog! We would just like to remind our readers that we are not members of the Duggar family. We are a mother-daughter team, and the goal of this blog is to encourage others by sharing fascinating stories and new information about the Duggars. Jim Bob and Michelle have stated several times that they are very thankful for the thousands of prayers and well wishes for Josie and their family.

Extra! Extra! Official Date to Meet Josie Duggar

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! TLC has clarified that "19 Kids and Counting" Special Duggar Delivery will premiere on January 31st. Tune in at 8PM Central or 11PM Central for the hour long special explaining the complications that caused Michelle Duggar to deliver premature. Watch as Josie Brooklyn Duggar makes her first TV debut and is introduced to the world.

Visit Silver Dollar City!

Branson Missouri, a unique Ozark town filled with enough fun and wholesome activities to entertain a family of any size, is one of the Duggar's favorite vacation spots. They especially enjoy Branson's Silver Dollar City, a family-oriented theme park featuring dozens of spectacular performances and neat activities. Spend the day on nearly three dozen roller coasters and attractions, or visit Silver Dollar City’s 19^th Century craft shops to choose from over sixty unique presentations by craftsmen and chefs. Take a trip back in time, and learn how to make candles, taffy, glassware or anything in between. After enjoying some irresistible southern cooking at one of the park’s restaurants or concessions, select from a list of over forty, one-of-a-kind shows and performances. With all there is to do, it’s no wonder why Silver Dollar City is a favorite among the Duggar clan. 2010 season passes are on sale now; purchase by January 29th to save!

Meet Josie Duggar!

And baby makes 19! The newest addition to Jim Bob and Michelle's brood made her big debut into the world on December 10th, 2009. Duggar fans everywhere have been anxiously checking the news for updates on this family. It is official that the first episode of "19 Kids and Counting," Special Duggar Delivery, will premiere on February 2nd, 2010. We will learn about the complications that caused Michelle to deliver premature, experience the anticipation and hope of her eighteen children and see Josie Duggar's first appearance on TV. Tune into TLC at 8:00 PM Central on Tuesday, February 2nd to meet Josie Brooklyn!

Learn More about the Duggar Family

To learn more about how Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar keep a family of 19 children running smoothly, visit TLC's page for "18 Kids and Counting." Get to know the unique qualities of each child, watch dozens of behind-the-scenes videos and view over 100 photos of one of America's largest families.
In 2008, "The Duggars: 20 and Counting!" became Jim Bob and Michelle's first book. Visit your local bookseller, or purchase it used at one of several websites, including Christan Book Distributors.

18 Kids and Counting Put on Hold

TLC's popular show featuring the Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Family has been put on hold; there will be no new 18 Kids and Counting episodes for at least two weeks. There have been few news updates on Josie's progress, but Duggar fans everywhere hope to be filled in soon. In the meantime, TLC continues to play reruns of "18 Kids and Counting" and "17 Kids and Counting" nearly every day.

El Salvador 2008

Jinger holds a Salvadoran girl at the orphanage

 Jim Bob encourages a Salvadoran woman

 Jim Bob and Jeremiah bow together in prayer

 Jim Bob and his Salvadoran parrot friend

Jill plays with a Salvadoran girl

 Jessa witnesses Salvadoran poverty

 Jessa and a Salvadoran girl

Jim Bob encourages a Salvadoran man

 

 Jessa and Jinger witness extreme poverty

 Jedidiah talks with a Salvadoran family

 Jedidiah

 SOS Ministries crew at La Esperanza church

 SOS Ministries crew

 SOS Ministries crew prays with locals

Downtime in El Salvador (Josiah)

Anna poses with Salvadoran girl at the orphanage

Duggars Lease a Home with History

To be close to their 19th child, Josie Brooklyn, born three months premature, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have leased a house in Little Rock, Arkansas. The home is the historic Cornish House, built in 1919 by Ed and Hilda Cornish. Born as Brunhilde Kahlert, Mrs. Cornish started the state's birth control movement after the death of her husband. Her efforts paved the way for the establishment of Arkansas' Planned Parenthood Association. On the contrary, the Duggars believe that children are a blessing from God and desire to receive all the gifts He is willing to give them. They are thankful to have found a house to accommodate their large family, no matter what its history is.

Update on Josie Duggar

Happy New Year!
Josie Duggar remains in the new NICU at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The facility is just a year old and focuses on family-centered medical care, which is a perfect complement to the Duggars' beliefs. To minimize the amount of light and sound that the premature babies receive, this novel NICU features 58 private rooms, some with single beds and others set up for twins. This is a big advancement from their previous location, which contained four large rooms, each with about a dozen cribs. Josie's family is able to spend time alone with her, and with the couch and rocking chair provided, parents Jim Bob and Michelle can spend the night by their daughter's bedside. This NICU is proud of their family area, which is suited with a kitchen, showers, laundry room, a family education room and several more beds for brothers and sisters.