The Duggar Family usher in 16th baby, will welcome more

by Jen Creer (Subscribe to Jen Creer's posts) Oct 13th 2005 11:22AM

Categories: Pregnancy & Birth, Safety, Development, Media

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have done it again: Michelle recently gave birth to their 16th child, Johannah. All of the Duggar children have names beginning with the letter "J." Beth Hoyt covered the family when they were pregnant with Johannah. Jim Bob Duggar, who dabbles in politics and sells real estate, said the same thing when child 15 was born as he did about his newest addition: "We both just love children and we consider each a blessing from the Lord."

According to the Duggar Family website, they are often asked whether they are Mormon or Catholic. They are also asked whether they are aware of how babies are made. The Duggars laugh this off with the same good cheer they express on the rest of their website. The explanation is simple: they have dedicated their lives to the Lord and they have decided that they will accept every child the Lord sends them.

The Discovery Channel plans to do another show on the Duggar family in May; their first show was extremely highly rated. TLC is already doing a show on the Duggars' new home, which Jim Bob and his two oldest sons are building. It will have nine bedrooms and four washing machines. I hope they threw in a few dishwashers, too.

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Comments (28)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Dutch 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

Wow, Jim Bob must REALLY enjoy making sweet love to his wife.

Leah 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

16 flippin kids!?!? Holy crap...they must REALLY need help around the house..that's just crazy! I've never watched any shows on them or looked at their website, but I wonder how their children REALLY feel about that...

Dutch 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

the caption to that picture on this blog is worth a look:

http://tbogg.blogspot.com/2005/10/arkansas-expressway-okay-kids-clear.html

Meanwhile, in SW Utah, a few dozen fundie Mormons hang their head in shame. It took 4 wives for them to get 16 children!

I knew girl from a family of 16 in Ireland. Man, was she messed up. She was 23 and looked 40 and she had a brother in a famous traditional Irish music group but she had never heard him play, not even around the house.

Laura 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

I find it odd that after 16 kids she's still giving birth at a hospital. Seems like she would just fart and out they'd pop at this point! Unassisted childbirth all the way, baby! Of course, those few days at the hospital may be her only break...

Angel 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

I caught part of a show about them. Creepy, almost cult-like. The girls are being prepped to become good little wives and nothing else @@

Don 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

If you'd like to see the birth -- beginning to end, from the Discovery Health Channel this week, visit www.arkansastonight.com -- we've got about five minutes of it. Just keep scrolling down...

pam 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

THIS IS TO JIMBOB AND MICHELLE DUGGAR THEY CAN EMAIL ME TO ANSWER MY QUESTION WHAT IN THE HELL ARE THEY THINKING 16 CHILDREN IM 32 YEARS OLD AND I DONT HAVE ANY THEN THEY HAVE SO MANY TO FEED THEY NEED THEIR HEADS CHECK I THINK THATS NUTS AND IF THEY DONT LIKE THAT THEY CAN EMAIL ME AT TBIRDPIEPS@HOTMAIL.COM

Sam 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

I have never heard anything so outrageous. Then before they leave the hospital with one they say they are thinking of having another. Seems they just do it for publicity, which is working. They are plain dumb!!

veronica 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

geez, people! i'm amazed how everyone is so upset about OTHER people CHOOSING to and being HAPPY to have as many children as they have.

sure, it's not for me (one seems a bit much right now), but it seems to be working for them. and before you go around saying you're just concerned about the children, there are children from small families who are treated terribly.

i've known people who have come from large families (11-14 children families) and they loved it! that's right, they really enjoyed being part of such a large family. no lie. really. imagine that.

here are people who lovingly have children and take care of them and are able to support them and everyone's down on them. can you explain this to me?

veronica 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

Lisa M. 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

As long as we don't have to pay for them, who cares??

clare west 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

I am proud to say that michelle and Jimbob are in my book of heroes. Committing your life to something is hard, but to do it with joy and passion takes divine strength. They are happy in marriage and family, and are setting a great example to those who wish they knew what a happy family looked like. And to those making fun of thier sex life...Most people complain that sex dies after kids, or after a long marriage to one person, so why is the one thing everyone seems to want in life the butt of so many jokes?? Regardless, i am glad they remain uneffected. Bless them and thier kids,
Clare West

pam 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE SAYING THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH HAVING THAT MANY CHILDREN AND TO THE PERSON LISA M. WE ALL DO ALL PAY FOR THEM WHEN THEY CAN NO LONGER FEED THEM CHILDREN.

sj 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

I assume that anyone who is putting down the Duggar family is at a point in their own life where they would feel incapable of having a joyful, loving and happy life while taking care of 3 kids, let alone, 16. It's certainly not for everyone, but it's also not a place to judge. B/C all people have different capabilities. I believe the reason the Duggar family seems totally capable is b/c they're not doing it on their own. Their achieving that family unity, love and success through their Lord. God has provided for them and His spirit definitely shows on the peaceful, shining and happy faces of this family. (Check out the show) Just because they aren't the typical family that the American modern society is currently producing...doesn't mean that it's wrong. I've never seen kids be so helpful, respectful and responsible. . . I'm sure many families in America can learn a lot from their example. I hope they get a regular show and write a book documenting their experiences and lessons learned. I am totally amazed by this family and hope to acheive their same peace and joy and unity with my own small family. If they can do it with 16 ....maybe I can do it with 3.

Terri 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

Really, I don't understand why so many people think that they have the right to judge this family. If they are happy, and can take care of their children, they should be able to do as they please. I agree with the comment that they are doing it with the help of God, and therefore are able to cope with the demands of such a large family in a way that wouldn't be possible without a great deal of faith. I say hats off to the family for being confident enough to make the right decision for them, and being able to ignore negative comments.

CONNIE DEAN 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

HEY I AGREE IT UP TO MICHELLE JUGGAR. AMEN,, I HAVE ANIMALS. I DO WANT HAVE MORE KIDS BUT I WAIT AND PAITENT AND I BELIVE THE LORD IT UP TO HIM. SAME INDIANS AND MEXICAN OR WHO EVER HAVE MORE CHILDREN. MY DAD HAVE 32 KIDS BUT DIFFERENT WOMAN. I HATE WHEN MAN DO CHEAT OR ETC TO WOMAN. MAN SHOULD THINK OF ONE PERSON. I WANT TO DO IT RIGHT. I PROUD OF MICHELLE AND BOB THAT PLAN HAVE MORE KIDS IT UP TO THEM AND IT THEIR BUSINESS. IT MY BUSINESS ANIMALS LOVERS. I WANT MORE KIDS BUT I WAIT WAIT NOT EASY. I HAVE 1 LITTLE GIRL IS 7... ANY ONE THEIR HAVE MORE KIDS TOO NEVER KNOW. ONE IN CASA GRANDE HAVE 8 BOYS AND 8 GIRLS THEY ARE INDIANS. PRAISE THE LORD. PRAISE THE LORD. AMEN GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Marcel @ Car Diary 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

Duggars, I support you !

We live in a strange world, where "Normal" is considered abnormal.

People don't be jealous and negative...

Rachel 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

I saw their first show... when asked how they were able to afford all of their kids, they said they worked really hard when they were younger so they could "relax" now... LOL!! RELAX?!?!?

Seriously, though -- I'm all for this if they can support them (emotionally, spiritually and otherwise -- not just financially).

There's a really great book out there called "Cheaper by the Dozen" (and it's way better than that dumb movie). Seems like the Duggars took some tips from that one!

Eileen Gumpel 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

I was so inspired by watching the discovery show about the Duggars.
You rock Michelle and Jim Bob.

Dawn Marie Villarreal 12-18-2005 @ 6:31PM

I am just at awe and very excited for the Duggar family. How amazingly beautiful! I am a conservative Christian as well that the Lord also led me to realize that birth control wasn't in His plan for child rearing and I can't want for me and my husband to have a quiver full. We have none yet (partially because he is in Iraq) but we will work on that when he gets back. You know, when someone loves the Lord with all their heart and soul, there is no need to hold back anything. Non Christians don't understand the view points of Christians and that's normal. But anyways, I am praying for the Duggar family and am so happy for all of you (if you are reading this). God has blessed you in so many ways and He will continue to bless and provide for you, now and always!
Love,
Dawn Marie Villarreal

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