Michelle Duggar Chats About Morning Sickness And Her In-House Organizer
Categories: Bump Watch, Celeb Parenting, In The News, Weird But True, Media
Michelle Duggar with her 18th child, Jordyn-Grace Makiya on Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. Credit: Beth Hall, AP
Some say that Michelle Duggar is crazy. After all, being pregnant with her 19th baby, who's due in March 2010, isn't typical. But the 42-year-old, who herself is the youngest of seven siblings, seems to have everything under control. On her reality-TV show, 18 Kids And Counting on TLC, she exemplifies a remarkably stress-free mom, never letting anything get under her skin.
She talked to ParentDish by phone from her Arkansas home -- secreted away in her upstairs office -- about what life is like as a pregnant mom in a house of 20 and counting.
ParentDish: Congratulations! There must be a lot of excitement in the house right now.
Michelle Duggar: The children are doing their lessons now. Math, English, spelling, music.
PD: Who's running things while we're on the phone?
MD: My 16-year-old Jessa is the school coordinator. I think she's harder on them than I am. With her they have to get at least a B-plus or else they do it again. I'm more lenient; a low B or a C would not be horrible. Some come crying, "I have to repeat another lesson."
PD: How are you feeling?
MD: We are thrilled. I feel sick and tired a lot right now.
PD: How do you handle the morning sickness?
MD: I keep almonds around and protein and pretzels. It keeps it bearable. I don't throw up all the time. I just feel sick on and off all day long. I have a friend who's a doula and she told me to keep protein snacks handy, like beef jerky, cooked chicken in the fridge. It helps. Salty pretzels kind of help, so I keep pretzel sticks around. We all love pretzels, so I keep tons around. It's a favorite snack.
PD: How does it feel to know that your child will be younger than your grandchild?
MD: I am just amazed. Being 42, I was wondering if could still have another. That season of change is happening a bit, so I figured I would just enjoy hugging and loving on my grandbabies.
PD: Now that you're both pregnant at the same time, is the relationship with your daughter-in-law any different?
MD: Anna asked me some pregnancy questions early on and that was just a joy. Now she's asking me, "How are you feeling?" She was really sick every other day, so she can sympathize with me.
PD: How will this play out in the Duggar family?
MD: My mother and my sister got to experience the same phenomena. My mother was pregnant with me when my sister was pregnant with my nephew. I have a nephew and niece who are older than me, so I was an aunt before I was born! When I was younger I would point my finger and say to them, "Remember, I'm your aunt."
PD: Are you doing anything different for Baby No. 19?
MD: At this point I'm just trying not to feel sick. (Laughs.)
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MD: Not yet. Jessa gave me a list of name possibilities. She's my organizer. She said, "We gotta start thinking about this."
PD: So? What are your thoughts?
MD: Jim Bob (her husband) says we're open to suggestions on J-names. People can go on our Web site, duggarfamily.com and e-mail us at JimBob@afo.net with name suggestions.
PD: Any more kids after this one?
MD: We would love more. We're just so thrilled that God blessed us with another one. So, if he gives us more, we will gladly receive the gift.
PD: As an uber-fertile woman, do you have any advice for women trying to conceive?
MD: God is the one who's the giver of life and opens and closes the womb. I would cry out to him initially and ask him if he would be willing. We only think we have control but in reality he is the giver of life.
Love the Duggars? Got an idea on a J-name for the new baby? Type it into our Comments area and we'll pass along your suggestions to the family.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 114)
Rebecca 9-01-2009 @ 3:13PM
Girls:
Janelle- "God is Gracious"
Jada- "wise"
Jane- another "God is Gracious"
Boys:
Justin
Jared
Jarett
Reply
Sarah 9-01-2009 @ 4:32PM
Job for a boy
Jackelyn for a girl
vikki 9-01-2009 @ 5:23PM
If a girl lets take her daddy's name...Jimena
for a boy...Jadarious or Jameson
Robin 9-01-2009 @ 5:42PM
I just had a friend name their boy Jebb. I love that name!
Nancy 9-01-2009 @ 7:14PM
I'm assuming they make money from the TV show. This will certainly increase viewship. I just think it's sad she has to schedule "Mommy" time. with the children. I would think there are days when she would hardly see some of the children.
loretta 9-02-2009 @ 12:45AM
this is really sad they need so much help (mentally) do you really think its fair to those young daughters to be acting like "mothers" "school teachers" and etc....while the real "mom" stays in her room or so called "office" all day? another thing dont you think those children belong in school with other children? i dunno it makes me kinda sick and im not pregnat!
lisa g 9-01-2009 @ 7:41PM
what the heck??? man this family is running all the way to the BANK!!! this is a crime and it should stop!!! people that watch the shows should turn it off. and maybe jim-bob would grow up and act like a real man....who are you people fooling? big house like a movie star would own. i remeber when you guys had 2 nickles and an old beat up bus. and pickles were your favorite snack!! by the way michele that tone of voice you use....is a little played out already. 19 and counting? geeze ...if THIS is it gods way why isnt he down stairs home schooling today? GIVE IT UP LADY!!!!
ron 9-01-2009 @ 7:52PM
hey michele, you didnt need the public's help making the baby... why do you need help naming the baby?????? this story is sooooo old news more like yesterdays newssssss give it up
Marie 9-01-2009 @ 8:12PM
Congratulations Duggers! God has given you these children and who are any of us to question? To those who are making negative comments...Have the Duggers asked you for money or impacted your life in any way? If the answer is NO...then leave them alone....
As for me, I was blessed with 4 children..it was all I could afford or take care of....Again...Dugger Family... Bless all of you and enjoy your family!!!
Kelly 9-02-2009 @ 2:11PM
How about Grant with a J it would be different.
Justin or Justine maybe you should switch to K's now
Tess 9-02-2009 @ 2:23PM
Michelle Duggar is a baby factory employing minors like labor slaves to polish and shine the final product to look good on television and get paid for it. Remember you are the mother not your daughters. A mother's role is not just giving birth. WAKE UP.
Have a conscience.
katieshealane 9-02-2009 @ 2:24PM
How about "just go out and adopt a child who needs a home instead of adding to the litter by procreating"
Steph 9-02-2009 @ 2:24PM
To each his own. If they can handle 19 (and counting) kids, then more power to them. They were living very frugally long before TLC came along and had planned on a large family and waited for the larger home. (which is more then most American's do - we are selfish and want instant gratification all the time) At least their kids are being raised with a sense of responsibility and accountability that is so lacking in the younger generations today. So, I say let them be. Their family seems happy.
dfc4385 9-02-2009 @ 2:25PM
Everyone complained that the Gosselins were marketing their children. And this family is not doing the exact same thing?
pam 9-02-2009 @ 2:34PM
well thats great to hear and good luck , thats a lot of kids i would say . i hope it all works out for all of u
Ann 9-02-2009 @ 4:32PM
Yes, but raised by who? Their brothers and sisters, children need parents, these two don't have time for their children, they are too busy making more.
Bridget 9-02-2009 @ 2:42PM
I think names that should be considered are: girls, Janeen, Joshlin, Jamarya, Justina, Jerrica
boys, Justin, Jason, Jamar, Jaden, or Jaylen
Joan Schniedewind 9-02-2009 @ 3:20PM
For a girl, I would love to see Joan. You never see that name anymore. It means "Gift of God"
You already have a John David. That is my oldest sons name .
Jared is a strong boys name.
NMBDarling 9-02-2009 @ 2:44PM
For God's (and our) sake, who cares what they name their latest baby? Haven't these selfish people ever heard of overpopulation?
Cheryl Moore 9-02-2009 @ 2:50PM
If it is a boy, name him Jules. This is my favorite doctor. Love the name.