VIDEO: Josie Duggar Is Visited By Her Sisters
Posted on Apr 06, 2010 @ 11:00PM - 1 comment
Jim Bob Duggar announced the heartwarming news on Tuesday that little Josie was finally able to go home from the hospital, after being born four months early in December. In the newest episode of 19 Kids and Counting that aired on TLC, the little preemie was still in the NICU and her older sisters Jill and Jana went to visit and cuddle her.
“It’s important for her to be held and cuddled and talked to,” mom Michelle said about the girls’ visit, which took place when both of her parents had colds and couldn’t visit the youngest of 19 children in the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
PHOTOS: The Duggars Intimate Hospital Moments By Josie’s Bedside
Jana was so excited to hold her tiny sister. “It was my first time to hold her. It was a whole new experience just being able to realize she is our baby,” she said as she was shown rocking in a chair with Josie Brooklyn. Michelle explained how important it was for someone from the family to be there every day holding Josie, and since Jana and Jill are over 18 they were able to tend to their sister on their own.
“Actually holding her and taking care of her was really special,” Jana said sweetly as she snuggled with her sister.
As Mom Michelle has said in past episodes, she is the real Dairy Queen, and is pumping milk constantly for Josie. In fact, Michelle has spent 275 months of her life nursing, a pop up read.
Meanwhile, back at home the whole family took a trip to a famous Little Rock eatery, Doe’s Eats, and Michelle said Jim Bob used to eat there when he was in the State Legislature. Michelle mentioned that Doe’s is a favorite place of President Clinton, and the whole family enjoyed a huge meal, even though Jim Bob has been on a diet for the last six months.
PHOTOS: Hospital Pics Of Josie Brooklyn Duggar
The family then went over to the Museum of Discovery where all the kids were having a great time with the science displays and were even allowed to hold a baby alligator, a snake and a tarantula. Michelle revealed that she used to have a pet tarantula when she was young, but it didn’t exactly have an easy life. She spoke about his unfortunate demise: “I think I held him too much because his legs started falling off!”
VIDEO: Josie’s First Hug! Michelle Duggar Finally Holds 19th Baby
As always, Jackson and Johannah were adorable talking about the snake. “I don’t like those kind of animals,” Jackson said and Johannah actually held the snake in the museum.
PHOTOS: The Duggar’s Intimate Hospital Moments By Baby Josie’s Bedside
The episode showing Josie’s homecoming will air on TLC on Mother’s Day, May 9.
VIDEO: Josie’s First Hug! Michelle Duggar Finally Holds 19th Baby
VIDEO: The Duggars Donate Blood For Josie And She Gets A Feeding Tube
Posted on Feb 24, 2010 @ 06:05AM - 25 comments
Jim Bob Duggar opened the newest episode of 19 Kids and Counting Tuesday night by telling the oldest girls he had a "surprise" for them. Little did they know what their dad had in mind!
"The life of the flesh is in the blood," is a Bible quote Jim Bob read to the five oldest girls as he told them that he had a surprise and they were going to be donating blood at the American Red Cross. Even though he knew the girls would be a little scared he explained to them that their donated blood, if it matched, could go directly to their little sister Josie who was born premature and was still in the hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas.
PHOTOS: The Duggar’s Intimate Hospital Moments By Baby Josie’s Bedside
He decided to make it a surprise for the girls because he "didn't want them to fret," but they were still a little nervous about Dad's surprise for them.
"I wasn't too excited about it," Jana confessed. Jinger said, "I don't know, it's kind of scary for us." Jill admitted that she was nervous too but their dad reassured them that "it sounds scary but once you do it it is something you do."
As they arrived at the American Red Cross, Jim Bob said that he would be taking the boys next time to donate blood and then he admitted that it was his first time donating blood and he was nervous too! "I don't like needles," Jim Bob fessed up, but said "It's for Josie and other people who need blood, other than that I wouldn't do it."
VIDEO RECAP: The Duggar’s Son Josh And Wife Anna Visit Florida With New Baby
The girls are joking that Jim Bob keeps talking because he is so nervous about the needle and sister Jana agrees to go first.
A pop up read "If every Duggar gave the maximum amount of blood, it would be enough to save 60 lives."
All of the girls do well, but one of them gets a little light headed. Jim Bob has the most trouble, as he explains that he flinched when they first pricked him so he blew out a vein so they had to go to the other side. He said that he thought Jinger and Jill would be the weakest but "they did very well." He admitted that he "was the weakest of the bunch."
The Duggars are now living in a rented historic home in Little Rock Arkansas, three hours away from their home in Springdale while baby Josie remains in the hospital. Mom Michelle admits that there are difficulties with the new house, especially when it comes to the kitchen.
VIDEO RECAP: The Duggar Family Visit New Baby At Christmas
"It's a challenge not having an industrial kitchen," Michelle said. A pop up says "At their house in Springdale the Duggars have 6 ovens, 4 refrigerators and 4 deep freezers."
After their visit to the blood bank the girls go grocery shopping for the family. While they are a little silly in the store, dropping things Jill says "I think giving blood has drained us all. We're sapped of our energy now."
Michelle praises them, saying "I think it's been a challenge but they rise to the challenge."
Little Josie was born almost four months early on December 8, 2009 and has been in the hospital since she was born. Michelle gives an update on her status and said "It is time for her to get a feeding tube and she could have breast milk. I think I was excited because it meant that she was doing better."
She is concerned about the feeding tube being inserted but said she is "thankful the nurses and doctors are well trained to take care of a tiny baby like her."
Jim Bob Duggar: “Baby No. 19 Is Beautiful And In Stable Condition
The nurse told Michelle that Josie is growing and gaining weight and that she now weighs 2 pounds 1 ounce. Michelle is ecstatic with the news because she thought Josie only weighed 1 pound 13 ounces. She said that she still thinks of Josie as a "tiny micro-preemie. Josie was born 11 weeks premature, she's now almost four weeks old."
"I love you, I love you precious," Michelle said as she touched Josie's tiny little hand.
A black screen reveals the tenuous medical situation Josie is in. "Approximately 8 inches of tubing is needed to reach Josie's small intestine. If the tube in not inserted properly, milk could seep into her lungs, leading to potentially life threatening complications."
Duggar Brothers Save Six-Year-Old Girl’s Life
As the tube is being inserted a nurse says "She's not thrilled," and both Jim Bob and Michelle are very worried about her, saying they haven't slept lately.
"Watching Josie go through suffering, it upsets me."
The tube insertion is successful and Michelle said "I was so relieved when they finally go the tube in."
An x-ray was immediately taken and the nurse told Michelle the test results were good, the tube had good placement and in just a few days Josie would be able to eat her mother's breast milk.
"I'm so excited and thankful she's made it to this point," Michelle said. She then revealed her hope for the future with Josie. "In just a few days I may get to hold her."
The preview for the next episode of 19 Kids and Counting showed the boys back home in Springdale dealing with a broken water pipe and dad Jim Bob trying to tell them how to deal with it from Little Rock.
VIDEO: Duggar Family Moves To Little Rock To Be Close To Baby Josie
Posted on Feb 16, 2010 @ 11:14PM - 10 comments
The newest Duggar baby, Josie Brooklyn, remained in the hospital as the third episode of 19 Kids and Counting aired Tuesday night. Josie was born almost four months early on December 8, 2009 and is in the hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas; about three hours from the family home in Springdale, so mom Michelle and dad Jim Bob decide to move the whole family closer to the hospital.
“This is the hardest thing we’ll ever do as a family,” Jim Bob said as the show began. He said little Josie has had “ups and downs,” but “she’s done very well here.”
PHOTOS: The Duggar’s Intimate Hospital Moments By Baby Josie’s Bedside
The Duggar family packed up 15 of their children and moved into a new home – the historic Cornish House in Little Rock, which was the home of a Ed and Hilda Cornish, who was a leading advocate for birth control, even though she had six children. “She’d probably roll over in her grave if she knew we were here,” Jim Bob joked to the children. He said that the house was “really neat for the children,” since it is 100 years old, and only a mile and a half from the hospital where Josie is staying.
Michelle talked about the challenge of moving 15 children to a new home. “The greatest challenge was to bring all the clothes.”
Jim Bob Duggar: Baby No, 19 “Is Beautiful And In Stable Condition”
Daughter Jill described moving mattresses and school computers into the new home. She then gave a tour of the new home, showing off the “Dining Hall,” and Jana described the new rooms as “smaller,” but showed the music room for all the children’s instruments.
Jim Bob explained that the house isn’t quite what they’re used to in Springdale. This house has four bathrooms and one working shower and one working tub. A pop up read “At their house in Springdale, the Duggars have 6 showers and 8 bathrooms.” They are definitely roughing it!
The entire top floor of the new house is an old ballroom, and the kids were having a great time playing up there. Jackson described that “Our house was bigger,” and while making arm motions accidentally poked his cute little sister Johannah in the face with his elbow. The kids are split into two rooms – boys and girls, with some even doubling up in the beds.
Duggar Brothers Save 6-Year-Old Girl’s Life
Josiah said “It is very important for our family to focus on school work,” and the study room with all of the computers was shown. Michelle said it was fun for the kids to change houses and to have to rough it a little bit. “The children feel like they’re camping out.” Grandma joined the family, and she is taking care of the laundry, which is “going pretty much constantly.”
Meanwhile, back home in Springdale John, David and Joseph stayed behind to “hold down the fort,” but they were missing their family. Walking in the snow, Joseph said “it’s really quiet.”
VIDEO RECAP: The Duggar Family’s Emotional Birth Of Baby Number 19
Michelle is focusing on taking care of her littlest daughter. “I am the dairy queen. I am making milk for Josie.” Jim Bob was full of compliments for his wife. “You look great; you don’t look like you just had your 19th baby.” Michelle agreed. “I’m feeling much better than I did a few weeks ago.”
Seven days after she was born Josie was transferred to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital and with tubes in her tummy Michelle said “She has good days and bad days.”
At 27-days-old Josie is still fragile and Michelle hadn’t even hold her fully yet. “I really have a hard time seeing her struggling,” she said. Josie will soon be 30 weeks into gestation and the Duggars said she would be released around her real due date and when she is eating on her own without any tubes.
“It is a daily process for her, each day we thank the lord that we have her here with us. We’re just grateful.” In the hospital Michelle and Jim Bob saw Josie with her little fingers in her mouth for the first time, which was a touching moment for the couple.
VIDEO RECAP: The Duggar’s Son Josh And Wife Annie Visit Florida With New Baby
As the doctors turn Josie over and check her vital signs Michelle emotionally recounted what her experience was like watching when she struggles. “I can’t stand to see her like that. I want to be right beside the bed when she’s doing good and when she’s not I’ll go to the nursing station and cry and then come back. It’s a roller coaster ride.”
Dr. Robert Arrington told them that Josie has two hurdles, feeding and avoiding infection but gave her parents hope. “In the next few weeks things will stabilize,” he said.
Back in their new house the kids are enjoying playing – sliding down the stair case over and over again laughing until they’re exhausted!
VIDEO: The Duggars Welcome First Grandchild Into The Family
Apparently dad Jim Bob has been losing weight, but the 15 to 20 pounds he lost he seemed to have found again!
Little Jordyn hit a milestone in the new house – she started walking.
The episode ended with family friends bringing over dinner for the Duggars and the voiceover said “I think everybody’s prayers have really helped with this time and it’s a journey for all of us.”
The preview for the next episode of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting showed the Duggars donating blood at the hospital in Little Rock where the whole family has moved to be near Josie as she continues to grow.
VIDEO RECAP: The Duggar's Son Josh And Wife Anna Visit Florida With New Baby
Posted on Feb 10, 2010 @ 07:25AM - 53 comments
“This is a tough time for our family.” Josh Duggar opened the newest episode of 19 Kids and Counting Tuesday night discussing the premature birth of his littlest sister Josie on December 10, 2009 and revealing that despite her hospitalization he and Anna and their new baby were planning to take a trip.
Duggar Brothers Save 6-Year-Old Girls Life
“Duggars Fly South,” took Josh, Anna and their new baby, three-month-old Mackynzie on a trip to visit her family in Florida for Christmas. “She is such a happy baby,” they said about their darling little daughter. Anna admitted that she’s a “Daddy’s girl,” and Josh spoke lovingly about the changes he’s seen in little Mackynzie. “She’s more active, she shows personality.”
The young couple were worried about Mackynzie crying during the flight, but she was perfectly behaved and was wide awake and excited to see her grandparents Mike and Suzette Keller when they landed. “I’m excited to see palm trees,” Anna said about being back in Florida.
Jim Bob Duggar: Baby Number 19 Is Beautiful And In Stable Condition
Josh, Anna and Mackynzie were staying in a trailer on Anna’s parents’ property and Josh fondly remembered when he stayed in the trailer before they were married. A pop up read “Josh and Anna did not stay in the same room alone when they were engaged.”
The couple then visited Corky Bells, the restaurant where they got engaged and another pop up read “Anna and Josh saved their first kiss for their wedding day.” Anna and Josh kissed and Anna said “We’re catching up for what we missed out on during our engagement, but it was worth it!”
PHOTOS: See First Pics Of Mackynzie, The Duggar's First Granchild
The couple attended church with a family that owned an airplane and Josh had talked Anna into agreeing to let him fly in the small yellow plane. “I thought it would be fun, I know Josh would enjoy it,” she said, but she was visibly nervous as the prop jet took off. “I’ve got a big knot in my stomach,” Anna said. “I feel like I’ve got morning sickness all over again.”
Two fly-overs later Josh safely landed after over an hour and a half of flying and said “We had an awesome time flying – it’s been a blast!”
PHOTOS: The Hospital Pics Of Baby Josie
The couple were happy that Mackynzie was able to spend her first Christmas with Anna’s family. Josh gave Anna new clothes and she gave him a laptop case. Mackynzie received “New toys, clothes and fun things,” Anna said.
The happy young Duggar family enjoyed their Christmas in Florida with Anna’s parents, even with the scary flight!
VIDEO RECAP: Duggar Family Visits New Baby At Christmas
Posted on Feb 09, 2010 @ 06:26PM - 7 comments
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19th child, Josie Brooklyn, was born almost four months early on December 8, 2009 and remains in the hospital in the second episode of 19 Kids and Counting that aired Tuesday night.
The entire family paid an emotional visit to the hospital in Little Rock that is three hours away from their home.
VIDEO RECAP: The Duggar Family"s Emotional Birth Of Baby Number 19
Dad Jim Bob explained to the gathered family that Mom Michelle had high blood pressure so the doctors had to deliver the baby 15 weeks early. “Little Josie won’t be able to go home for about three months from now,” he told them. Each child under 14 had to have their temperature taken to make sure they were healthy enough and then all of them were allowed into a room to visit their newest sister.
Jill said she had being “trying to imagine she’s one pound six ounces,” and was guessing how small she was. All of the Duggar’s were surprised by how tiny Josie actually was, and were wiping away tears as they celebrated her life.
PHOTOS: The Duggar's Intimate Hospital Moments By Baby Josie's Bedside
“Look how small she is!” they said. “It was overwhelming,” they admitted when they saw her tiny little body in the hospital. “I didn’t think she’d be that small,” said James. Jesse said “we were worried,” but the visit seemed to relieve the family.
“I’m not fearful,” Jill said about her little sister.
PHOTOS: See Pics Of The Duggar's First Grandchild
The episode takes place leading up to Christmas, with old home videos of the children from past Christmas holidays. “I can’t believe they’ve grown up so fast,” said Michelle about her children. She is wrestling with her emotions as she realizes that she has to spend so much time in the hospital with little Josie away from her other children. “As a mom your heart is pulled in many different directions,” she admits.
Each Duggar child picks another sibling in a drawing to exchange Christmas presents with and they take a trip to the local Goodwill Store. The drawings are split between the older boys, older girls and the younger children. They all have a good time shopping for clothes and toys for each other.
Duggar Family Moving To Be Nearer Hospitalized Baby For Holiday
The children at home continue the family tradition of taking baked goods to the police and fire departments in their hometown and prepare apple crisps, brownies, cookies and even yummy cookie-dough balls for treats. As they visit the police and fire stations to thank them for their service all year they are treated to sirens and are able to sit inside the trucks at the fire house
Little Jackson said “We gave them cookies and Play-Doh,” and his sister Johannah corrected him with a cute “No Play-Doh!”
Michelle Duggar Protest Has Locals Up In Arms
The show then returns to Michelle at the hospital where she is told a few days after Josie is born that she can touch her for the first time. “I was surprised and shocked and in wonder,” she said but revealed that “to feel the warmth of her little body is amazing, just amazing.”
The children hosted a Christmas party for “like 100,000 people coming” joked one child. After the party they all packed up and went to spend Christmas in Little Rock with their parents at a generous friend’s house.
On Christmas Eve the kids presented their parents with a special gift they had made for them – a beautifully bound book with all of their pictures inside. “It’s so perfect,” Dad Jim Bob said of the gift.
Jim Bob Duggar: Baby Number 19 "Is Beautiful And In Stable Condition"
Little Jackson and Johannah were asked what the best part of Christmas was and as Jackson replied “Opening up our gifts,” little Johannah fell off her chair with excitement!
The preview for the next episode of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting showed the Duggars temporarily moving to Little Rock to be near the hospital as Josie continues to grow.
VIDEO RECAP: The Duggar Family's Emotional Birth Of Baby Number 19
Posted on Feb 01, 2010 @ 07:40AM - 79 comments
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar welcomed their 19th child Josie Brooklyn into the world on December 10, 2009; she weighed a miniscule 1 lb. 6 ounces.
“Jim Bob told me how small she was. He said, ‘Michelle, her head is the size of a pool ball,’ Michelle emotionally recounted. “I was thinking I’m thankful she was alive, but I’m scared for her life.”
PHOTOS: The Duggar’s Intimate Hospital Moments By Baby Josie’s Bedside
Michelle and Jim Bob Visit Josie Brooklyn in the Hospital
Posted on Jan 29, 2010 @ 02:41PM - 6 comments
Michelle and Jim Bob visit Josie Brooklyn in the hospital.
The Duggars Baby Number 19 Still Fighting To Survive
Posted on Jan 28, 2010 @ 01:05PM - 88 comments
"Years ago, a baby this small wouldn't have lived an hour," says Jim Bob Duggar, about the newest addition to his TLC-featured family.
Jim Bob and wife Michelle welcomed their 19th child, little Josie Brooklyn, who weighed 1 lb. 6 ounces when delivered on December 10. Now Josie weighs 2 lbs. 3 ounces and is getting breast milk through a tube.
Michelle Duggar Protest Has Locals Up In Arms
Posted on Dec 21, 2009 @ 12:33PM - 157 comments
Just days after giving birth to a premature baby, and as that baby lay in the ICU, Michelle Duggar was protesting a nearby EZ Mart's request for a beer license. And local residents aren't happy about it, slamming the mom of 19 children.
