Thursday, April 30, 2015

'The Multiplication Process Has Begun'

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar joined Tina Jennings on the KGUN 9 Tucson Morning Blend this week to talk about babies, courtships, and the next generation of Duggars (YouTube video below).

"I've heard people say how wonderful it is to have those grandchildren," says Michelle Duggar. "It is like ten times better than what they said."

"I was Cooking the Owner's Manual"

This week on 19 Kids and Counting, Jessa prepared dinner for the first time as a married woman. In the following video, the new bride admits she is new at cooking, but her meal turns out great and is a big hit with her hubby.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Sneak Peek: Jill's Delivery

Tune in to TLC next Tuesday at 8pm ET/7pm CT for a two hour special of 19 Kids and Counting, featuring the birth of Israel David Dillard. Until then, enjoy this video preview:

Video no longer available

Recap: "Family Dinner" and "Nesting and Room Re-Do"

19 Kids and Counting "Family Dinner"

  • The Duggar boys help Jessa and Ben unload their "new-to-them" furniture. Meanwhile, Jill and Derick head to Washington D.C. to visit Josh and Anna. Josh plans to teach Derick a thing or two about parenting.
  • When the Dillards arrive in D.C., Josh and Derick take Mackynzie, Michael, and Marcus shopping to buy food for dinner. Derick learns how to buckle the kids into their car seats.
  • "Right now I can't imagine shopping with this many kids on my own someday," says Derick, as Mackynzie and Michael run through the aisles saying, "Daddy, Daddy, we need this!" But Derick knows he will adapt to fatherhood when Baby Dilly arrives.
  • Josh and Derick prepare dinner, and the ladies love it. "Josh and I and the kids had a blast with Jill and Derick," says Anna.
  • Jill and Anna, who are both expecting, enjoy talking about pregnancy. The ladies write out encouraging Bible verses and quotes and organize them onto an inspiration board to read from during labor.
  • Back in Arkansas, Jessa makes her first meal as a married woman. "I'm not the best cook," says the new bride. "It's just my tradition to burn something. It just wouldn't be a proper meal if I didn't scorch something a little bit."
  • After preheating the oven, she opens the door and realizes she was cooking the owner's manual. She also uses a hammer in place of a meat tenderizer. But despite her unconventional methods, Jessa's meal is a big hit. Her hubby loves it.

19 Kids and Counting "Nesting and Room Re-Do"
  • The seven Duggar girls still living at home prepare to remodel their room, which has had yellow walls since the Duggars built the house almost ten years ago. They want to give it a more mature feel. Cindy, Michelle's best friend from childhood, comes over to help. They settle on burnt orange, dark gray, and light gray for paint colors.
  • Jim Bob says the girls' room is his favorite room in the house because it is bright and cheerful. He tries to convince his daughters to leave the pained tree and horse, but the girls insist on covering them up.
  • In D.C., Josh and Anna take their kids to an appointment with their midwife, Marsha Jackson, at BirthCare. Marsha has delivered more than 3,000 babies. Mackynzie and Michael love being able to hear the baby's heartbeat. Josh and Anna admit they are nervous about not having family around for the birth.
  • Michelle, Jill, and Jessa meet up to shop for Baby Dilly's nursery furniture. "Jill is expecting her first child, and I am so excited to be a grandma again," says Michelle.
  • Grandma Duggar and Jana take care of the kids while Jim Bob and Michelle are in Chicago for a meeting. Josie has a seizure, and Grandma Duggar calls 9-1-1 while Jana and Scott, the Duggars' director and photographer, carry out the instructions given by the dispatcher.
  • Josie seizes for about ten minutes before the paramedics arrive. Jana jumps in the ambulance and heads to the hospital with her youngest sister. "It makes your heart drop," says Michelle, as she remembers the moment she found out that Josie had had a seizure. "You just feel so incapable of doing anything."
  • Because of her premature birth, Josie has had several seizures, which are brought on when her temperature spikes.
  • Doctors are able to get Josie's fever under control, and they send her home. By the next day, she is as good as new. Jim Bob and Michelle return from Chicago, and Josie runs and gives them a big hug. "Reuniting with my parents was amazing," says Jana. "I was so glad to have them back."

Tonight on 19 Kids...

Tune in to TLC tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT for two new episodes of 19 Kids and Counting.

19 Kids and Counting "Family Dinner"
Jessa cooks dinner for Ben after they move into their new home. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., Anna and Jill make a special craft, and Josh gives Derick advice on being a father

19 Kids and Counting "Nesting and Room Re-Do"
Jill goes shopping for nursery furniture, and the Duggar girls decide to switch bedrooms now that Jill and Jessa have moved out. Meanwhile, Anna has her first midwifery appointment in Washington D.C. The Duggar family is faced with a medical emergency when Josie has a seizure and is rushed to the hospital. 

Dillards Respond to Nepal Earthquake

Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard in Nepal, November 2013
The country of Nepal holds a special place in the hearts of Jill and Derick Dillard. After graduating from Oklahoma State University in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and a minor in economics, Derick spent two years in Nepal doing humanitarian work. During that time, Jim Bob Duggar supported him as a prayer partner.

Towards the end of Derick's time in Nepal, Jim Bob encouraged him to begin getting to know Jill via Skype, texting, and snail mail. Then in November 2013, the Duggar dad took his daughter to meet Derick in Nepal, and Jill and Derick officially began courting. Derick returned home to Northwest Arkansas in early 2014. He and Jill were saddened to hear about the earthquake that devastated the nation of Nepal on Saturday. For those looking to donate money or stay updated on relief efforts, Derick recommends an organization called Baptist Global Response.

Photo courtesy TLC

Monday, April 27, 2015

Josiah & Marjorie Make Beautiful Music

In the following YouTube video, Josiah Duggar and his girlfriend, Marjorie Jackson, perform "How Deep the Father's Love For Us" for their families.

Anna Duggar on DC Date Nights


During a recent interview, Anna Duggar told us how she and Josh do date nights now that they live in Washington D.C. and do not have family nearby.

Josh and I aren't able to go on as many dates alone in D.C. as we were able to in Arkansas, but there is a little Mexican restaurant off the Capitol that we enjoy. Often we just put the kids to bed and do a date at home. We like to sit on the porch and share our hearts. 

Here, it is more affordable to bring your children on your date than to hire a babysitter. So we tell our children: "We are going on a date, but you get to come with us, and we are going to practice our manners." And the kids will do their best to have really good manners because they know it's a special occasion. I remember going on a few dates with my parents as a child, and it was special to see them take time to focus on each other.

Click here to read what Anna Duggar has to say about being patient with her kids and here to find out how she handles meltdowns in public with her little ones.  

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Jim Bob Duggar's Proposal

In this video from PEOPLE Magazine, Michelle Duggar shares the details of her worst date with Jim Bob and recounts the story of their engagement.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Duggar Style Tips

In this video from PEOPLE's Most Beautiful issue, Michelle Duggar and the five oldest Duggar daughters share their style tips:


Video courtesy of PEOPLE Magazine

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Bath Time for Baby Dilly

How cute is Israel Dillard? Derick is giving this 17-day-old little guy (or should we say big guy?) a bath. Are you looking forward to watching the birth on TLC on May 5th?

Israel David Dillard

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Duggars on Body Image

The Duggar women were blessed to have PEOPLE Magazine visit their home and photograph them for PEOPLE's 2015 Most Beautiful issue. They had their hair and makeup done and received brand new outfits. Michelle calls it "princess treatment" and says she enjoyed spending this special time with her five oldest daughters.



Michelle also addresses body image and discusses her struggle with bulimia."I think the hardest part of the battle is coming out into the light with it and really finding that person that you can be accountable with to help you walk through that," says the mom of 19.

Michelle works to keep the lines of communication open with her girls so they feel comfortable sharing their hearts with her.



Videos courtesy of PEOPLE Magazine

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Seewalds' Video Announcement

After announcing their pregnancy via PEOPLE Magazine earlier today, Jessa and Ben Seewald shared a video message with viewers during tonight's episode of 19 Kids and Counting. Here it is:

Video no longer available

Recap: "European Honeymoon"


19 Kids and Counting "European Honeymoon"
  • About 10 days after their wedding, Jessa and Ben head to Europe. Jessa has been overseas twice, but Ben has only been to Central America.
  • First stop: Paris France
  • "It's just like everything you imagined," says Jessa when they arrive in Paris. "It's that awesome and more."
  • At dinner the first night, the waiter brings a plate of snails for the Seewalds to sample. Ben tries them and says they aren't too bad, but Jessa tells her husband she has a weak stomach.
  • When the Seewalds climb the Eiffel Tower, Jessa encourages Ben to face his fear of heights by walking out on a glass platform. "I never thought I would actually be here in Paris," says Jessa.
  • On their last day in Paris, Jessa and Ben visit the Love Lock Bridge. Ben pulls out a padlock with their names engraved on it, and the couple locks it to the bridge and throws the key in the river.
  • Next stop: Rome, Italy
  • The newlyweds kick off their visit to Italy with a cooking lesson. The chef greets them with kisses on the cheek, catching Jessa and Ben off guard. "The Bible says to greet everybody with a holy kiss, but we don't do that in Arkansas," jokes Jim Bob, adding commentary to the honeymoon episode.
  • The highlight of the cooking lesson is learning to make pasta noodles from scratch.
  • When it is time to travel to their final destination, the Seewalds are forced to navigate an Italian train station. They have a difficult time finding the correct train.
  • While Jessa sleeps, Ben studies for his online classes. He is about to graduate with an associate's degree and hopes to do ministry work.
  • Last stop: Venice, Italy
  • When the Seewalds arrive in Venice, they are overwhelmed by the city's beauty. They stumble upon a big, open square, where they attempt to feed a vicious flock of pigeons. Then they browse a vintage clothing store and try on a bunch of outfits. They end up buying a couple hats as souvenirs. 
  • Jessa and Ben end their honeymoon with a boat ride through the canals of Venice. "It has been a good, quality time together, making memories that will last for the rest of our life," says Jessa.
  • Back in Arkansas, Jim Bob and the kids renovate Jessa and Ben's house. The Duggar Dad has plans to re-brick the fireplace as a surprise for his daughter and son-in-law. The boys start off working on the fireplace, while the girls redo the cabinets. Then Jim Bob instructs them to switch jobs so the kids can learn as many skills as possible.
  • "The renovations are coming along, but there is still a lot to do," says Michelle. "I hope we can get it done before Ben and Jessa come home."
  • Later, Michelle, Jana, Jill, Jinger, and Joy visit a thrift store to buy decorations for Jessa's house. "Jessa is the main decorator in our family," says Joy. "I am kind of scared that she is not going to like what we got her." The Duggar ladies only buy a few picture frames and decorations, as they know Jessa will want to do most of the decorating.
  • Anna takes a pregnancy test while she and Josh are staying at Jill and Derick's house. Jill films her sister-in-law breaking the news to Josh and the kids.
  • Jessa and Ben are surprised when they return from their honeymoon and walk through the door of their newly renovated home. Jim Bob and Michelle and the kids are all in the living room waiting for their arrival. "The rock work they did on there, that was over the top," says Jessa, as she admires the fireplace. 
  • The Duggars have Bible time together before Josh and Anna leave. Jim Bob shares how blessed he feels to have such a large, loving family and counts up all the members. Anna chimes in: "Actually, there is one more on the way." Everyone is thrilled to find out that Josh and Anna are expecting Baby #4. (Update: It's a girl!)
  • "This is the multiplication process now, and it's so exciting for us," says Michelle. 
Jessa and Ben share an announcement of their own at the end of the episode. Jessa is 12 weeks pregnant with Baby Seewald!

3 Pregnant Duggars

For about 10 weeks, Jill Dillard, Jessa Seewald, and Anna Duggar were all pregnant. Here is a picture of their baby bumps:

Jill Dillard, Anna Duggar, Jessa Seewald

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

Jessa Seewald is Pregnant!

The Duggars are on a roll! So far this month, they have announced Israel Dillard's birth and Josiah's courtship, and now they have another big announcement to make! Jessa and Ben Seewald are expecting! Baby Seewald is due on their one-year wedding anniversary (November 1st).

The Seewalds revealed exclusively to PEOPLE Magazine that they are looking forward to becoming parents. As Jessa enters her second trimester of pregnancy, she says she is "feeling pretty good," although she still suffers from heartburn. She and Ben are hoping to adopt in the future.

More on PEOPLE.com.

Seewalds Attacked by Pigeons in Venice

Tune in to TLC tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT for a 60-minute episode of 19 Kids and Counting featuring Jessa and Ben's European honeymoon. In the following video preview, the newlywed couple feeds a vicious flock of pigeons in Venice.

Duggar #12 Turns 15

Happy 15th birthday, Jason!


Monday, April 20, 2015

Coming Up On 19 Kids...

The current season of 19 Kids and Counting is still going strong. Now that Jessa and Ben Seewald's wedding has aired, tune in to watch the couple's European honeymoon. Meanwhile, the rest of the Duggar clan spends time redecorating the girls' room and fixing up Jessa and Ben's house. Jill and Derick continue their journey to parenthood, culminating with an episode showing the birth of Israel David Dillard on May 5th. Pictures below:

 Jim Bob Duggar talks about redecorating the girls' room with Michelle Duggar, 
Jinger Duggar, Jana Duggar, Joy Duggar, and Michelle's friend Cindy

 Jim Bob Duggar and Jennifer Duggar

The Duggar boys repaint the girls' room

 Jessa and Ben Seewald on their European honeymoon

 Josh Duggar and Derick Dillard take Mackynzie, Michael, and Marcus shopping

 The Duggar boys carry a couch into Jessa and Ben's house

 The boys renovate Jessa and Ben's house

 Jessa and Ben Seewald share a meal at a restaurant in France

 Jordyn Duggar paints a picture for Jessa and Ben

 Jessa and Ben Seewald

 Jessa and Ben Seewald smooch with pigeons on their heads

 Jessa and Ben secure their lock on the Love Lock bridge in Paris

Jill and Derick Dillard attend a birthing class

 Newlyweds Jessa and Ben Seewald enjoy a meal at their new house

Photos courtesy TLC

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Jessa Seewald at the Car Wash

We know how much you enjoy seeing the Duggars go through everyday life. Check out this video of Jessa Seewald having her car washed:

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Drone Footage of the Duggar House

A friend of the Duggars recently stopped by the family's house to take footage with his drone. Check out his video:

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Dillards' Plans for Future Babies

After hearing that Jill Dillard delivered baby Israel Dillard via emergency C-section, fans have wondered if this will inhibit her ability to have the super-sized family that she has always dreamed of.

But Jill revealed to PEOPLE Magazine that her doctor says he has no doubt she will be able to deliver her next child vaginally.

"We told the doctor, 'Stitch me up really well,'" Jill told PEOPLE.

Like Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, Jill and Derick Dillard have decided to welcome as many children as God chooses to bless them with. Although Derick only grew up with one sibling, a brother, he has said multiple times that he loves being around Jill's large family.

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Jill's 70-Hour Labor

Members of the Duggar family have had their picture on the cover of PEOPLE Magazine more than nine times. This week is Israel David Dillard's first appearance. We have included a few highlights below, but you can read the full article by visiting your local news stand starting this Friday.

Jill and Derick Dillard had been planning for a home birth with a team of midwives, but the newlywed couple experienced complications and ended up having a hospital birth. Jill had been in labor for 70 hours when Israel David Dillard was finally born via emergency C-section.

Twelve days past her due date, Jill's water broke and she tested positive for strep B. She began labor at home, but she and Derick decided to head to the hospital after 50 hours of labor had yielded little progress. Jill, who is trained in midwifery, also noticed a meconium stain, which often indicates that the baby is in distress.

After arriving at the hospital, Jill continued with natural labor for another 20 hours, but by that time, it was clear that little Israel was in distress. Jill and Derick decided to go ahead with a C-section.

Throughout their difficult delivery, the couple continued to pray. Although the road was hard, their story had a happy ending, and Jill told PEOPLE that Israel is worth all the pain and discomfort that she endured.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

A Message from Josiah and Marjorie

During tonight's episode, Josiah Duggar and his girlfriend, Marjorie Jackson, shared a message about their courtship, which began last Monday. (Click here to read more about Marjorie.) Watch that message below, and hear the relationship advice that Josh has for Josiah. 

Recap: "Duggars Say I Do"


19 Kids and Counting "Duggars Say I Do"
  • It's time to look back at the most memorable moments of the Duggar weddings.
  • Jill and Jessa both sent out 800-900 invitations because they didn't want to exclude anyone.
  • To keep costs down so they could have an extravagant European honeymoon, Jessa and Ben ordered supplies and clothing online and reused a lot of Jill's decorations.
  • Ben forgot Jessa's ring on their wedding day and had to call Jim Bob. Being the jokester that he is, the Duggar Dad handed Ben the wrong ring at first, and Ben was quite confused.
  • With Derick's mom in the hospital receiving cancer treatments during Jill and Derick's engagement, Jill wanted to be there to support her fiancé and future mother-in-law. Jill's sisters stepped in and took on a lot of the wedding planning.
  • All through Jill and Derick's wedding ceremony, Michelle was motioning to Jennifer, Jordyn, Josie, and Mackynzie, who were sitting on the stage, each holding one word of a "Here Comes Your Bride" sign, to sit still and stay quiet. "They kept the crowd entertained," said Jim Bob.
  • Josh and Anna tried to keep their wedding as cheap as possible. Their invitations didn't all match, but they made sure their relatives received the same design. Anna wore her sister's bridal gown, and she made her veil and bridesmaid dresses.
  • If you watched Josh and Anna's wedding, you may remember that John-David forgot the rings and had to run out of the church in the middle of the ceremony.
  • During an interview, while Jackson is joking about the pranks he will play at Justin's wedding, TLC asks Justin what pranks he will play on Jackson. "I don't know, maybe take his girl," says Justin, sounding quite serious.
  • Jim Bob and Michelle's wedding was also planned on a strict budget. While their kids have had short engagements (about three months), the Duggar parents waited a little longer to tie the knot. Jim Bob proposed on Christmas Eve, and they married on July 21st. Michelle made her bouquet and the cake, and the wedding was very small.
  • Jim Bob and Michelle renewed their vows 25 years later with a wedding ceremony that all the kids were involved in.
  • At the end of the episode, the Duggar couples play a game of How Well Do You Know Your Spouse. Turns out, Jim Bob doesn't know the color of his wife's toothbrush...
  • Three weddings down and 16 to go! Josiah is the only kid who is courting, so his wedding could very well be next.