Joshua Duggar to be a Daddy!

by Susan Wagner (Subscribe to Susan Wagner's posts) Apr 13th 2009 11:00AM

Joshua Duggar, the oldest of Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar's 18 children, told the Today show this morning that he and wife Anna are expecting! "I am three months right now and feeling great," a glowing Anna told Meredith Vieira. "Morning sickness is pretty much all gone. I'm looking forward to having my baby."

The newest Duggar is due October 12.

Anna Duggar told Viera that she had taken several pregnancy tests in the months following her September 2008 wedding, but all were negative. She took the most recent test at the used car dealership that she and Joshua own and operate, but left the stick in the bathroom without checking it. Instead, she sent Josh back in to look.

Josh's reaction? "Wow! I'm going to be a father!"

Duggar Family Album

Love Me Do
Joshua Duggar is one of 18 children. Anna Duggar, formerly Keller, is one of 8. The two married in September 2008 and they're leaving the number of children they have "up to God."

Courtesy Duggar Family

Josh Duggar, 20, the eldest sibling, married Florida native Anna Keller in September 2008. The two met at a home-schoolers' conference in 2006, said People.com. Josh Duggar said it was love at first sight and he spent the next two years courting Keller. "Dating means you're shopping around," he told the paper. "A courtship is the path toward marriage."

Courtesy Duggar Family

The Duggar family celebrating the arrival of Jennifer, born in August 2007. Also pictured are Johannah, Jackson, Justin, James, Jason, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Joy-Anna, Josiah, Joseph, Jinger, Jessa, Jill, Jana, John-David and Joshua. The newest addition, Jordyn-Grace Makiya, was born on December 18, 2008, weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces.

Beth Hall, AP

The Duggars in Times Square in May 2008. Ain't it a miracle how the family gets through the streets of New York City without losing anyone. The reactions from people who encountered the Duggars on the street? As shown on their TLC series, most say the same thing: "17 kids? Wow."

Courtesy Duggar Family

All the kids, 17 shown here in 2008, play piano and violin and the girls play harp. According to the Duggar's site, "At 9:00AM, the older children help their buddies with their studies in phonics, math, violin & piano (J-O-Y- Jesus first, Others second, & Yourself last!). Then the older children start their music & individual studies - math, English, spelling & typing."

Courtesy Duggar Family

The Duggars on a 2008 shoot outside their 7,000 square foot home (completed in 2006) in Tontitown, Ark. Say cheese.

Courtesy Duggar Family

The new baby will most certainly be warmly welcomed into this super-sized extended family, and he -- or she! -- will have lots of other little ones to grow with. Grandparents-to-be Jim Bob and Michelle, after all, are also parents to 4-month-old Jordyn-Grace, who made an appearance on the Today show as well. "We are so thrilled and so excited for Josh and Anna," said Michelle, snuggling her baby.

What will the newlyweds name the baby? No word yet, but it won't start with J. Instead, they're thinking of going with M names, to honor Michelle. And how many babies will there be in this Duggar house? Joshua says, "We're leaving that up to God."

Comments (34)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Karen 4-13-2009 @ 1:42PM

I saw their interview this morning and I was very impressed with both of them. I believe this is one young marriage that might make it!

I hope they have a healthy, happy and peaceful baby!

JimmyK 4-15-2009 @ 8:37AM

What is this, the octo-mom freak show? Since when did irresponsible, chimp-like breading become the new trend?

Moons 4-16-2009 @ 11:34PM

I think it's wonderful that Josh and Anna are having a baby!! I wish them both the best of luck!! They are going to be great parents!

krussrn 4-13-2009 @ 8:01PM

To say that you think the Dugger children must be brainwahsed or that Michelle has something wrong with her just shows your ignorance. This family lives their lives with very strong morals and haven't gotten caught up in the trappings of our entertainment-crazy society. Their children have learned to look to God and to their parents for guidance. More of us would be well-served to take a few pointers from Jim Bob and Michele (who, by the way, would be the last to criticize anyone else for having their own beliefs or opinions).

Jorge 4-14-2009 @ 3:01PM

Whatever happened to freedom of choice? I guess that only applies when society wants it to. If we are going to be something, let's be consistent.
By the way, I know you didn't mention freedom of choice, but I take it that its implied by your response.

unlnown 4-14-2009 @ 2:19PM

I think they are a God fearing family... I think that the Gosselins have some major issues... We need to be kind to other people and ther beliefs.

Marvae Odom 4-14-2009 @ 2:34PM

I think it is very refreshing in the society we live in today, to see a family as this. They are God fearing, Bible believing, Family cherishing, Moral living, and I could go on. I especially love what they say about JOY: Jesus first, others second, yourself last. We could all learn from this! It has been regularly said, "The family that prays together, stays together". And that is so true today. We need more like this to raise our next generation. I love to watch them interact with their children, and I applaud them for the way they are raising them. God has truly blessed them (Jim Bob and Michelle), and I pray He blesses all of their children, as well. Lots of love to all of them, and blessings, also. Hope Josh and Anna are blessed with a large, loving family as their parents were.

ktap 4-14-2009 @ 2:54PM

I am all for God in your life, but it is completely irresponsible to be populating the earth this way. I am afraid all their son and his new wife are going to do is cause more population problems!

unknown 4-15-2009 @ 7:41AM

they are not what ever you called them... Leave them alone...

Madamoi Zelle 4-14-2009 @ 3:15PM

It's wonderful to bring a child into the world...HOWEVER...enough is enough , adding to the gene pool with this kind of religious( and antiquated) belief! Stop it. Just stop it! God gave us free will and NO ONE has to continue to populate the planet because of it.

JB 4-14-2009 @ 3:27PM

How can anyone say awful things about a family that they don't even know. Why judge a person? People don't like to be judge, so why do it? There kids are raised to be respectful, polite, everything that children today are not being raised. I see kids everyday that are disrespectful of their parents, who get into trouble with the law, are involved in so called gangs. These 18 or so kids will no doubt ever be in trouble with the law, minus the occusionly ticket that everyone gets. Don't jump to harsh judgements without thinking about what these harsh judgements would do to your family first!

Dottie 4-14-2009 @ 4:28PM

I have no complaint with the size of thefamily, my only complaint is with the division of work, I think the boys should have to do all the cooking, cleaning, child care, washing, ect for six months, and the girls should take on the tast usually done by the boys for the same period of time. Both sexes need to learn to be able to take care of them selves.

I hope Josh and Anna have 6 or 8 boys before they have any girls!!

Lea 4-15-2009 @ 3:01AM

You obvisiously do not watch the show because if you did you would know that they do switch the chores around. The boys do the girls chores for a period of time and vice versa. I think all the people who are judging this wonderful family are ignorant. You do not know this family, I admire them. Michelle is a wonderful Mother and has the patience that every Mother wishes for. There is nothing wrong with believing and God and raising a Godly family with Godly Morals. I wish everyone was like this and then maybe this country would not be in such bad shape.

Melinda 4-14-2009 @ 4:48PM

These folks are delightful. I am still glad to be an only child but I missed alot because of that, too. The Duggar family are NOT a drain on the tax payer, not even on the school system as they home school their kids, so it really isn't any of America's business. I just hope these kids are learning to spell and express themselves more clearly than the majority of people participating in this blog!

T in NY 4-14-2009 @ 6:02PM

Children are a blessing (and I don't think you need god to have something be a blessing) but I can also think of a few thousand orphans that would LOVE to grow up in such a loving family. If you're so hell bent on having dozens of children, adopt a few and get them out of the hell they're living in. I'm sure god would approve of you helping out those kids as well as popping out your own brand.

Also, I think it's a big premature for little Anna to be promising a large brood like her inlaws. She just might be blessed with hemorrhaging that could damage her uterus, miscarriage after miscarriage, c hildren born with severe disabilities or post partem depression in which case, she should NOT be having 18 kids.

One thing that bothers me immensely when it comes to the Duggars...they raise their kids to NOT watch television because it's so evil (same with the internet) yet how much money do they make off of television to help raise their kids? Why do we even know who these people are? Oh...because of television and internet. I guess it seems a tad big hypocritical, doesn't it?

tf 4-18-2009 @ 3:58PM

they monitor their children's access to television and internet,meaning that they allow them to watch tv, just not everything and anything they want. the show that they are doing would be considered appropriate for their children to watch. I also think that they are doing the show not for the money, which of course helps them raise their family, but more because they believe that they are spreading God's word and love and they are hoping people will learn something from them. I personally enjoy the show immensely and I think they are being genuine. Michelle has more patience than anyone I have ever seen. as someone from a large family (10 children), I can speak from personal experience and say that there is so much good to come from this and so much to learn.

Reina 4-14-2009 @ 6:51PM

God bless them! People need to mind there own busniess. Its up to them how many kids they want. Its not our lives there the ones going to put up with it not us. I wish them the best they will be great parents

Gina 4-14-2009 @ 8:04PM

I just wanted to say thanks for posting this before we see the episode in question. I was so excited to find out, and here this thread has to go and ruin it. As to the Duggars, to each their own on their faith, but there is such as thing as TOO MUCH of a good thing.

dovelyn 4-14-2009 @ 7:44PM

Has no one noticed that we need to conserve every resource in this country because our ever-increasing numbers? Has no one noticed that we are going to ever-exaggerated lengths to reduce emissions from this growing population? The arrogance and ignorance that the Duggers demonstrate is appalling. PLEASE do not encourage such anti-social behavior.

Jasmine 4-14-2009 @ 8:05PM

Does it matter all that much that someone lives their life differently than your, or mine? They are happy and healthy. They love the lord and they are making the decision that is right for them! That should be all that matters, It is RIGHT FOR THEM.... Just like it is right for me that we have 2 children a third on the way and hopefully to more before our family is complete. How many children do you have?? One some might say that is wrong your child will be a spoiled brat or your child really needs to have a sibling to bond with, two...maybe thats the perfect number for some two is complete...what about 4??? Thats an even number....or do you have no children at all you selfish person you, how dare you think your life is just way to good to have a child enter into it. See all have opinions no matter what the number....get over it! Maybe all who have such a negative view on others lives should take a good look at all of the things in their own lives that could be critisized! I mean unless you are perfect.

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