The Duggars

by POPSUGAR Moms

Michelle Duggar has given birth 17 times, but mothering a preemie has been a new experience for her. I recently had the chance to chat with the mom of 19 and her husband Jim Bob about Josie and how their family dynamic has changed since the baby's December arrival.

LilSugar: You mentioned taking health precautions, but what are some of the other adjustments parents have to make in tending to a preemie?
Michelle Duggar: Initially, her (Josie's) feeds were so different than those of a full-term baby. At first, it was just a few drops and then it was a continuous feed because they had her on a feeding tube. We had to start feeding from a bottle so I would pump my breast milk and put it in the bottle and she had to learn how to suck, swallow, and breathe and that was a whole new experience because I had to learn how to hold the bottle and help her as she started to choke and until she was able to learn that process. Of course, she's learned it really well!

We're probably doing the same things we did with all of our other children — playing with her, talking to her, and giving her a lot of stimulation when she is awake and having her playtime, but I'm more focused about it now than ever. I think — did we move her legs enough? Is she standing, jumping up and down, and moving enough? — I want to make sure she's getting all of that activity. I have a checklist in my mind and I have a chart of all of her feeds, poops, and when she goes tinkle — I write it all down. I did not ever do that with my others — it wasn't that big of a deal. With her, it's this idea of watching her grow and develop and we want to make sure she gets to each one of these landmarks so we can check it off. That's more of a difference. My family probably doesn't even notice.

To see the Duggar's tips for staying connected while a child in the hospital and find out how long they will tape, read more

by POPSUGAR Moms

Parents never stop learning — even when they have 19 children! I had the chance to chat with Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar yesterday about their preemie's progress and whether they plan to expand their family. The couple were happy to report that Josie, now 7 1/2 months, has settled into their busy household.

LilSugar: How is Josie adjusting to such a big family after she had her parents all to herself in the hospital?
Michelle Duggar: Actually, she was used to having new faces every 12 hours at the hospital so she's probably feeling like it's a similar situation. Around here it's like every five minutes so it's been a good transition. The things that we are learning with a preemie are a little different. We have to be really careful about any runny noses, coughs, or sore throats. If anyone thinks they have anything, they can't be near her so I'll keep her upstairs in my room with the doors closed. If anyone wants to come see her, they have to pass through the door with the germ aid and go through a screening so they don't give her anything. She's still getting her little immune system established.

LS: How is Josie doing developmentally?
MD: In the preemie world, they call it her adjusted age versus her actual age. Yes, she's 7 1/2 months old, but her adjusted age is 4 1/2 months old so she's doing all the things that a 4-1/2-month-old would do so that's really great. They said she's not going to need physical therapy. Even in her weight — she's in the 75th percentile, which is amazing considering what she was 1 pound 6 ounces to start out and here she is at 11 pounds and 1 ounce. It's a miracle!

LS: As far as having more children, you said you're open to it despite having this scare with a preemie?
MD: I feel like each one of these children are a gift and watching sweet little Josie and just the miracle of her life — it's something that I do not take for granted for even just one minute. God says children are a gift and a blessing and we ask the lord (that he) give us a love for children like he loves children. My heart is open to more if God sees fit and I guess we'll just wait and see. I can't imagine my life without a single one of mine.

To see what Michelle and Jim Bob said about older women getting in-vitro to become mothers later in life, read more

by POPSUGAR Moms

Michelle Duggar may awe fellow moms by raising 19 children, but this Sunday will be a bittersweet holiday for the mother because her baby is back in the hospital. Dealing with the ups and downs of having a preemie (little Josie was born at 25 weeks gestation) has not rattled the Duggars' faith or family plans. In a recent interview with Radar Online, the large family's matriarch said she and her husband are open to growing their brood biologically or, possibly, by adoption. Here are the highlights:

• On Josie's progress: "She is up to 5 pounds 15 ounces. She’s just taken off with her weight gain these last couple weeks now that she’s back at the hospital and so we’re really thankful for that."
• On her faith being strengthened by Josie's arrival: "We had no where else to turn. There was nothing else I could do to help Josie other than prayer. I could cry out to God and cry out for mercy. Nothing is by accident and he allowed Josie to be born that day and we know that God has a special purpose for Josie."

To see what Michelle had to say about having another baby and adoption, read more

by POPSUGAR Moms

When the littlest Duggar made her way home from the hospital for the first time, it was an emotional event for her 18 older brothers and sisters. Though parenting is nothing new for Jim Bob and Michelle, tending to a preemie is an altogether different experience. Josie Brooklyn weighed just one pound and six ounces when she was born at 25 weeks gestation on December 10, 2009, and left the hospital months later. She has since been readmitted, but Sunday's sweet episode of The Duggars: 19 Kids and Counting shows the family under one roof for the very first time. Will you tune this Sunday at 8/7 (central) on TLC?

by POPSUGAR Moms

The littlest Duggar will soon be able to keep up with her 18 siblings! Born at 25 weeks gestation on December 10, 2009, Jim Bob and Michelle's youngest daughter, Josie Brooklyn, weighed just one pound and six ounces. Tonight on 19 Kids and Counting, we will get another update of the baby's progress and a tip on how to keep your kids connected even when one is in the hospital. Here's a sneak peek!

To see more pics of the lil girl and her proud parents, read more

by POPSUGAR Moms

And baby makes 21! In 2008, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, parents to many on TLC's Seventeen Kids and Counting, gave birth to their 18th child. In September of 2009, the couple announced that they will add to their big brood with a 19th baby next year!

The news was hardly a shock considering I had the chance to talk to the family while they were promoting their book, The Duggars: 20 and Counting! and learned how important having a big crowd is to them, but you don't meet a family of 21 every day of the week!

What else wowed us this year? Check out some of the biggest headlines of 2009 and cast your votes on my Best of 2009 polls!
Source: TLC

by POPSUGAR Moms

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are grandparents! Their eldest son Josh and his wife Anna welcomed a baby girl, Mackynzie Renée Duggar, on Oct. 8 at 6:39 p.m. She was born at the couple's home with the help of a midwife and a doula. Congratulations to the new family, and cheers to the next generation of the big brood!

Photos courtesy of TLC