Duggar Thanksgiving Snapshots

Check out these photos from the Duggars' Thanksgiving week. With their recent new addition, the super-sized family has plenty to be thankful for. Spurgeon Seewald turned three weeks old on Turkey Day.

 Ben Seewald and son Spurgeon Seewald

As expected, the rest of the family has enjoyed plenty of visits to the Seewald house, which is less than 20 minutes away from the Duggars' country home.

Jana Duggar, Joy-Anna Duggar, Jinger Duggar, and Ben Seewald

Meanwhile, the Dillards are loving life on the mission field in Central America. As explained in a recent update posted to their website, Jill and Derick are quickly becoming involved in their new community and have already had many opportunities to share the Gospel.

Israel Dillard and Derick Dillard

Photos courtesy theseewaldfamily.com, dillardfamily.com

The Duggars' Live-In Tutor

Many of you have been asking why Tabitha Paine--older sister of Erin (Bates) Paine's husband, Chad--has recently appeared in a handful of the Duggars' photos.

In this picture, taken last winter during a trip to Braum's after watching the Arkansas Razorbacks win a big game, Tabitha is the gal behind Jackson Duggar.

Jessa Seewald, Ben Seewald, Jedidiah Duggar, Tabitha Paine,

Jeremiah Duggar, and Jackson Duggar

Some have guessed that she is in a courtship with John-David Duggar, but that is not the case.

Tabitha took to her family's website to share why she has been spending so much time with the Duggar family. She posted this comment in response to a gal who asked if she is in a relationship with Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's second oldest son.

So glad you asked! It’s easy to assume and few people branch out to find the real answer to questions like these. I have been a live-in tutor to the Duggar children for the past year. Because we don’t do school 24/7 I am able to join in with the family’s work, and fun activities during the weekends and evenings. Hence, the reason why you may see so many pictures! But, I am in no such relationship. I may just be single for the rest of my life
 
I sure do enjoy where God has me, and want to do as Jim Elliot encouraged: “Wherever you are; Be all there”! Blessings!


Photo courtesy theseewaldfamily.com

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing our American readers a blessed Thanksgiving! Here are a few throwback snapshots from the Duggars' 2012 Thanksgiving meal:

 James Duggar

 Joseph Duggar

 Michelle Duggar

 Jason Duggar, Josiah Duggar, Jessa Duggar, 

John-David Duggar, Joy-Anna Duggar

Jill Duggar

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

Meredith at 4 Months

Happy Tuesday! Just wanted to share this adorable photo of four-month-old Meredith Grace Duggar. Very few things in this world are cuter than sleeping infants.

Meredith Duggar, 4 months old

Photo courtesy theseewaldfamily.com

Bates Return to TV in 6 Weeks

We would like to share an announcement that we recently posted to our blog about the Bates family, one of our other two blogs.

Gil and Kelly Bates and their 19 children, close friends of the Duggars, are set to return to UP TV for their third season of Bringing Up Bates at 9pm ET/8pm CT on Thursday, January 7th, 2016.

UP TV strives to provide uplifting, family-friendly entertainment to viewers across the United States. (Click here to find the channel in your area.)

Season one of Bringing Up Bates is available on gMovies.com, a service similar to Netflix, and the network plans to post season two by the end of the year.

Video courtesy of UP

Premiere Date Announced

Josie Duggar with niece Meredith Duggar

Jill & Jessa: Counting On, a new TLC mini series featuring the Dillards and Seewalds, premieres Sunday, December 13th, at 8pm ET. The network announced today that Anna Duggar, as well as other members of the Duggar family, will join Jill and Jessa on screen to share how they have been impacted by the heartbreaking situation involving Josh Duggar (video below). TLC currently has three specials planned.


Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Flashback Friday

Flash back to 2009, when the Duggars announced their pregnancy with Josie, and see how much the children have changed over the past six years.

Statement from Arkansas Midwife

As we announced in September, Jill Dillard is now a certified professional midwife (CPM). Many of you know that she studied under Venessa Giron, a senior CPM who has participated in more than 500 births since 2000. Via the Facebook page of her established midwifery service, A Mommy's Butterfly, Venessa released a statement this week:

I didn't want to respond in this forum but due to the overwhelming support and calls and emails. We were not Jessa Seewald's midwives. I am sad that Jessa suffered a postpartum hemorrhage. I am happy that Jessa and "Quincy" are home, safe and sound. Both Jessa and Jill made decisions that do not fairly reflect home birth nor the care of the midwives in this state. But what matters most is Healthy Baby, Healthy Mama!



Photo shows Jill assisting at a birth in 2014; used with permission from A Mommy's Butterfly Midwifery

Video: Big Yawn from Baby Seewald

We just can't help but share this adorable video of Spurgeon Elliot Seewald, who is 12 days old. Jill & Jessa: Counting On, the new TLC mini series staring the Dillards and Seewalds, premieres in December.

Video courtesy theseewaldfamily.com

Anna's Advice for Young Moms

During an interview earlier this year, we asked Anna Duggar to share her advice for first-time moms. We pray that her words of wisdom will be an encouragement to all the young parents out there.

Lily and Ellie: What advice do you have for a first-time mommy?
Anna Duggar: #1: Have a learning spirit. I remember with Mackynzie, I thought we had so much figured out. And then with Michael, I was like, "What can I learn?" And then with Marcus, it really brought me to my knees. I realized I couldn't do it on my own and that I needed God's wisdom to love each one of my children individually. 

 #2: Enjoy each moment. I encourage moms to invest in their kids' lives, even when they are babies. When you have one child, it's still fairly easy to run around and do things, but try to remember to spend one-on-one time with that child because he or she is going to be the example that your other kids are going to follow.

Anna Duggar demonstrates how she strives to invest in each of her kids' lives by bringing three-month-old Meredith Duggar to Jessa's birthday lunch, which took place one day before Spurgeon Seewald's birth. (Also pictured in this photo: Jinger Duggar, Jana Duggar, Ben Seewald, Jessa Seewald, Jordyn Duggar) 

To find out how Anna keeps her kids quiet and still during church, read our post from August 3rd.

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Duggar #14 Turns 13

The 14th oldest child of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar has entered his teenage years. Wishing Justin Duggar a blessed 13th birthday! Did you know that Justin aspires to be a mechanic?

Photos courtesy of the Duggar family, Discovery/TLC/Scott Enlow, duggarfamily.com, dillardfamily.com

New Header!

Have you noticed our new blog header? We are grateful to Jinger Duggar for supplying the photos and to our graphic artist, Rachel, for doing the design work. These two ladies did a fabulous job! Jinger is an experienced photographer, and Rachel is a friend of the Duggars and a member of the talented Wissmann family.

The Adorable Spurgeon Elliot Seewald

Spurgeon Elliot Seewald was born last Thursday, November 5th, to Jessa and Ben Seewald. The first-time parents waited until this week to settle on a name for their son, saying that they wanted to give him one that would suit him for the rest of his life. Jessa and Ben announced the official name on Wednesday evening. To hear the Seewalds explain the reasoning behind their unique choice, check out our last post.

Here is a picture of little Spurgeon at one week old:

Spurgeon Elliot Seewald

Photo courtesy theseewaldfamily.com

Introducing Spurgeon Elliot Seewald

It's official! Jessa and Ben have decided what to call Baby Seewald: Spurgeon Elliot. The happy couple shares the meaning behind the powerful name in the following video:

More from Jessa & Ben

As we announced this morning, the three Seewalds will grace this week's cover of PEOPLE Magazine, available on newsstands Friday.

Despite the trials that the former stars of 19 Kids and Counting have endured over the past six months and the inaccurate and hateful stories that the media has written about the family, Jessa tells PEOPLE that she and Ben "know who [they] are and find joy and satisfaction in God."

More info on PEOPLE.com.

Seewalds on PEOPLE

The Seewald family
Picture courtesy of theseewaldfamily.com, used with permission

New parents Jessa and Ben Seewald will appear on this week's cover of PEOPLE Magazine, available on newsstands Friday.

The Seewalds still have yet to decide what they will call their little boy, telling the news outlet that they want to choose a name with meaning that will suit their son for the rest of his life.

The article includes exclusive photos of the family of three, as well as the details of Jessa's long labor that made her come close to requesting a transfer to the hospital and an epidural.

But the first-time mom powered through and successfully delivered Baby Seewald at home just before 7:00pm on Thursday. Jessa and Ben were the only ones who knew that their child was a boy, so you can imagine the excitement from both the Duggar and Seewald families when they found out the gender of the newest addition.

Immediately following the birth, the midwife became concerned about the amount of blood Jessa was losing, so Michelle called 911, and the new mom was taken to the emergency room for a blood transfusion. She had to leave her son for a short time, but Baby Seewald was soon brought to the hospital to join his mother.

Mom and baby are healthy, and the Seewalds are settling into life with a newborn. For more info, check out this week's issue of PEOPLE.

Still Waiting

We know you are all eager to hear the name of Jessa and Ben Seewald's son, who was born on Thursday. Rest assured that we will make the announcement as soon as the couple decides on a name for their little guy. 

In the meantime, can you identify these newborn pictures of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's six grandchildren? What facial features do these munchkins share? For those who are blanking on the names, Josh and Anna Duggar's four children are Mackynzie, Michael, Marcus, and Meredith. Jill and Derick Dillard have Israel, and Jessa and Ben Seewald have, well, Baby Seewald.

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com, TLC/Scott Enlow, theseewaldfamily.com, dillardfamily.com; used with permission

Seewald Family Photo

How adorable is this photo of Jessa (Duggar) Seewald, Ben Seewald, and Baby Seewald? The newest addition to the Seewald and Duggar families was born on Thursday night, weighing 9 lbs 11 oz and measuring 21 1/4 inches long. The proud parents still have yet to announce the name they have chosen for their son, but rest assured we will post it to our blog as soon as they reveal it. More photos are available on the Seewalds' website.

The Seewald family: Jessa, Ben, and Baby Boy Seewald

Picture courtesy of theseewaldfamily.com, used with permission

Baby Seewald Update

We know you all are eager to hear Baby Seewald's name. The initial plan was for Jessa and Ben to announce it today. We will keep you posted. Until then, be sure to visit the couple's website to see more pictures of their adorable son.

Baby Seewald

Picture courtesy of theseewaldfamily.com, used with permission

Pictures of Baby Boy Seewald

As we shared earlier this morning, Jessa (Duggar) Seewald gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on Thursday, November 5th. He weighed in at 9 lbs 11 oz, exactly 1 oz more than cousin Israel Dillard weighed at birth. Fun fact: at 9 lbs 15 oz, Jessa was Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's heaviest baby.

The proud parents have yet to announce Baby Seewald's name. The first photo was given exclusively to PEOPLE Magazine, but Jessa and Ben just shared several more. We have post a photo below, and you can view the rest on TheSeewaldFamily.com.

 Baby Seewald

Picture courtesy of theseewaldfamily.com, used with permission

It's a Boy!

Jessa (Duggar) Seewald and Ben Seewald welcomed their first child into the world on Thursday, and it's a boy! Their son weighed 9 lbs. 11 oz. and was 21 1/4 inches long. Both Jessa and Baby Seewald are doing well.

The Seewalds chose to share the first photo of their baby exclusively with PEOPLE Magazine. The proud parents will share more pictures soon, but for the time being, visit PEOPLE.com to see his beautiful face.

The Duggars Love MarketPlace Grill

The Duggars have made a lot of memories at MarketPlace Grill, a restaurant with four locations across Northwest and Central Arkansas. Jessa and Ben ate at MarketPlace on their first date in September 2013 and again in August 2014 on the evening before they got engaged.

The newlywed Seewalds also joined Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar at MarketPlace on a double date to celebrate Valentine's Day earlier this year. And just yesterday, Jessa and Ben went to lunch with Anna Duggar, Jana Duggar, Jinger Duggar, Jordyn Duggar, and Meredith Duggar for Jessa's 23rd birthday.

Whenever a Duggar eats at MarketPlace, you can be sure they will order the Chocolate Mess.

 Left: Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald on their first date (September 2013)

Right: Jessa and Ben Seewald on Jessa's 23rd birthday (November 4, 2015)

 Top: Michelle Duggar, Jessa Duggar, and Ben Seewald on Ben and Jessa's first date (September 2013)

Bottom: Jana, Jinger, Anna, Meredith, Jordyn, Jessa, and Ben celebrate Jessa's 23rd birthday (November 4, 2015)

Top left: Ben and Jessa on the evening before their engagement (August 13, 2014)

Bottom left: Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, Jessa Duggar, Ben Seewald, Guinn and Michael Seewald on the evening before Jessa and Ben's engagement

Top right: Jessa and Ben Seewald celebrate Jessa's 23rd birthday (November 4, 2015)

Bottom right: Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar on a double date with Jessa and Ben Seewald (Valentine's Day 2015)

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

Duggar #5 Turns 23

Wishing Jessa Lauren (Duggar) Seewald a blessed 23rd birthday! Baby Seewald is three days overdue, so perhaps he or she will end up sharing a birthday with Mommy.

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com/TLC/Scott Enlow

Photos: Dillards' Going Away Party

Before returning to Central America last month, the Dillards hosted a fellowship potluck dinner at Cross Church Pinnacle for those who have contributed to their ministry through prayer or financial support. One of our loyal readers sent us a handful of snapshots that he took at the event.

 Mackynzie Duggar plays with a friend at the event

 Jill and Derick Dillard share their experiences as missionaries in Central America

 Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar

 The film crew shoots footage for Jill & Jessa: Counting On

 Derick's mom, Cathy, joins Jim Bob and Michelle and the Dillards on stage

 Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar snap a picture of the audience

Our Blogging Story

Good morning! For those of you who are interested in reading the story of how we started blogging about the Duggar and Bates families, check out Ellie's latest post on NashvilleWife.com.

Ellie with Michelle Duggar, Johannah Duggar, 

Josie Duggar, Jordyn Duggar, and Mackynzie Duggar

Full Seewald Wedding Video

In honor of their one-year anniversary, Jessa and Ben Seewald uploaded the full video of their wedding ceremony. (Visit their website to watch.) See the excitement on Ben's face as his bride enters the sanctuary, the tears in Jim Bob's eyes as he gives his third oldest daughter away, and Michelle's joyful smile as she watches Jessa marry her sweetheart.

(For those wondering, the Mr. and Mrs. pillow above is the same one that Jessa and Ben Seewald, as well as Jill and Derick Dillard, have on their bed. To see more of the Seewalds' home decorations, click here.

Duggars' Canadian Appearance Canceled

On Friday, we announced that the Alberta Home Education Association was reconsidering its decision to invite Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar to speak at the 2016 AHEA convention in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.

The organization announced today that leadership has decided to cancel the Duggars' appearance at the event. Jim Bob and Michelle's bio has been removed from the convention flier, and they have been replaced by a different keynote speaker. 

Below is a segment from the statement by AHEA president Paul van den Bosch:

Although early feedback from our members this summer was supportive of having the Duggars come here, recent feedback from our own members points out that their appearance here would not be in the best interests of home educators.

Our members also pointed out that, as the Duggars would have been giving only two talks (of the more than 40 talks available), their presence would have been only a small part of the convention and that the [Duggars'] philosophy is not representative of AHEA as a whole.

Based on the thousands of comments we have received from Canadian readers over the past six years, we know you all are eager for the Duggars to make a trip to Canada. As always, we will let you know if anything is scheduled.

Seewalds' 1-Year Anniversary

One year ago, Jessa Duggar married her sweetheart, Ben Seewald, in front of more than 1,000 guests at First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas. Today the couple not only celebrates 365 days of wedded bliss, but also the due date of their first child. Stay tuned! Baby Seewald will make his or her appearance very soon.

Pictures courtesy duggarfamily.com