Sunday, September 30, 2018

The Future Mr. and Mrs. John Duggar

It has been more than nine weeks since John-David Duggar proposed to girlfriend Abbie Burnett, which means that wedding bells will soon be ringing. As with past weddings, the Duggars have chosen not to publicly announce the wedding date. When do you predict John and Abbie will become husband and wife?

Between Josh and Anna Duggar (September 26th--they just celebrated 10 years!), Jessa and Ben Seewald (November 1st), and Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo (November 5th), fall weddings have become quite common among the Duggar couples. John will be the eighth of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's 19 children to get married--four boys and four girls.

John-David Duggar and Abbie Burnett

John-David Duggar and Abbie Burnett

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com/John Duggar and Abbie Burnett

Friday, September 28, 2018

Vuolos in Chicago

Soon after Felicity Vuolo was born, friends sent Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo a Chicago Cubs onesie and tickets to a Cubs game. For those who are not familiar with sports, the Cubs are a baseball team that broke a 108-year losing streak by becoming the 2016 World Series champions.

While Jinger and Jeremy are not Cubs fans, their friends are, so they traveled up to Chicago this weekend for a game at iconic Wrigley Field.

Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo, Jeremy Vuolo, Felicity Vuolo Chicago Cubs game
Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo, Jeremy Vuolo, Felicity Vuolo

Photo courtesy jingerandjeremy.com

Season Finale in 3 Days


Our readers have been asking when the current season of Counting On will be over. On Monday, October 1st, the network will air a two-hour episode featuring Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson's wedding. Sadly, that will be the season finale, and another TLC show will take over the 9pm ET time slot the following week.

As of now, the network has not announced a return date for new episodes of Counting On. But you can rest assured that we will continue to post Duggar updates during the break. We have been blogging about the family for nearly nine years, and we have no plans to stop.

Monday, October 1, 2018
8pm: Thrift Store Date Night
9pm: Josiah and Lauren's Prank-Less Wedding?  NEW!
It's Josiah and Lauren's wedding day, and the happy couple is eager to walk down the aisle and finally share their first kiss. But with Josiah being the family prankster and the brothers out for revenge, is the couple prepared for some shenanigans? 120 minutes

Photo courtesy TLC

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Duggars at a NASCAR Race

Two weeks ago, Josh and Anna Duggar and their children, as well as Jim Bob Duggar (aka "Pops"), traveled up to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race. Have you ever been to a NASCAR race? If you have, you know how loud they are, hence the noise-canceling ear protection that the Duggars are wearing.

Jim Bob Duggar, Josh Duggar, Anna Duggar, Mackynzie Duggar, Michael Duggar,
Marcus Duggar, Meredith Duggar, Mason Duggar
 
Josh and Anna Duggar, Mason Duggar, Meredith Duggar September 2018
Josh and Anna Duggar
Mason Duggar, Meredith Duggar

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Dueling Duggars and Vuolos

Duggar Vuolo gender reveal party

Jeremy Vuolo: "If you are undesiring to crawl through [the child-sized tunnel]..."
Jim Bob Duggar: "Or you don't fit!"
Jeremy Vuolo: "...Or you don't fit, then you can have a pinch crawler for you."

Last night on Counting On, Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo set up quite the obstacle course for their visiting family members. At the end, everyone says it was worth it because they were able to find out the gender of Baby Vuolo, but some of the activities are a bit embarrassing, as Jeremy puts it (video below).

Missed the episode? Click here to read our recap of the first hour (the Vuolos' gender reveal party and baby shower) and here to read our recap of the second hour (Josiah and Lauren's bachelor/bachelorette party and Garrett Duggar's arrival).


Photo/video courtesy TLC

Monday, September 24, 2018

'Kendra Has a Baby' Recap

Counting On "Kendra Has a Baby"

  • The Seewalds host a “dinner around the world” potluck, to which each couple brings a dish from the country they visited on their honeymoon. The Forsyths bring chocolate fondue, Joe and Kendra bring a Greek salad, and the Seewalds make chicken fettuccine alfredo (using Michelle’s recipe).
  • The three couples enjoy eating dinner and talking about life. At two-and-half months old, Gideon sleeps at least until 6am most nights.
  • Austin, a germophobe, announces that there will be no double dipping in the fondue or eating off the skewers. Ben also identifies as a germophobe and appreciates Austin’s announcement. “I have every intention of being the fondue gestapo,” says Austin. “I would probably even call my own mother out if she double dipped.”
  • “There were definitely rules about double dipping growing up in our family,” says Jinger. “You just don’t do that. That’s just disgusting.”
  • At the Duggar house, friends and family get together for a joint bachelor/bachelorette party for Josiah and Lauren. The Duggars have always loved playing foosball, so some of the brothers create a human foosball "table" in the backyard using hay bales and long metal rods. The game is co-ed, and it gets quite intense. Josiah and Lauren are the goalies, and Josiah’s team wins.
  • Ten days before her due date, Kendra is having strong, consistent contractions. Christina and Lauren (her mom and sister) come over to help her with breathing. Kendra has always had a tendency to hold her breath when she is in pain, so having others there to remind her to breathe is a blessing.
  • Christina and Lauren leave so Joseph and Kendra can try to sleep. At 2am, Kendra is feeling very uncomfortable, so they make the decision to leave for the hospital. The contractions are about two minutes apart.
  • Later that morning, Joe and Kendra are still waiting on Garrett’s arrival, so Kendra’s dad comes by to deliver food and provide encouragement.
  • When Kendra is 8cm dilated, the doctor comes in to break her water, and contractions speed up. She ends up being in labor for about 13 hours before starting to push. “It’s exciting because our baby is almost here, but also it’s a hard time because I have to see Kendra go through the hardest time of her life,” says Joe
  • Meanwhile, the siblings drop off dessert and banners at Joe and Kendra’s house. Soon after the baby is born, the proud parents bring him over to the big house to show him off.

'Jinger's Double Surprise' Recap

Counting On "Jinger's Double Surprise"

  • Jinger is 25 weeks pregnant, and she and Jeremy are setting up for a gender reveal party. It’s an obstacle course, and two teams will compete to make it to the light-up “Baby” sign first. The winning team will pull the cord on the sign to reveal the gender.
  • “My siblings, I think, have used nearly all the traditional baby gender reveal ideas, and so Jeremy and I have had to brainstorm to come up with something that’s unique,” says Jinger.
  • “We want fun, but we kind of want fun mixed with embarrassment,” adds Jeremy.
  • The Duggar family (minus Joe and Kendra and the Forsyths), Grandma Duggar, and Aunt Deanna, arrive in Laredo, as do Jeremy’s parents. Jim Bob is the captain of Team Pink, and Chuck Vuolo is the captain of Team Blue.
  • The obstacle course includes hula-hooping, “dizzy spinning” around a bat, hopping, a child-sized tunnel, and an ice cream eating competition. The ice cream part proves to be the most difficult for some, as they try to push through brain freezes. “I think I was eating the ice cream a little slow for Jessa’s liking,” admits Ben, who says he is “not super competitive.”
  • Jessa, on the other hand, is very fast. “It’s not really an amazing thing to be known for, but I can put away the food when there’s a time crunch,” she says.
  • Some of the older folks, like Jeremy’s dad, go through the tunnel, while others, like Jim Bob, opt to have a child go through on their behalf.
  • The pink team wins, so Jim Bob and Michelle get to pull the string to light up the sign. When it turns pink, everyone screams. Jinger and Jeremy spray pink silly string at the guests. “We’re more than ready to be grandparents for the first time,” says Chuck.
  • “I really thought it was going to be a girl,” says Jim Bob. “Anyway, I am just so pleasantly surprised, Michelle, and I’m so thankful for this little granddaughter.”
  • The following day, a friend in Laredo throws a surprise, co-ed baby shower for Jinger and Jeremy. Jana and Jessa tell Jinger that they want to take her shopping for baby clothes. While they are shopping, the friend calls to ask Jinger and Jeremy if they would come over to look at a crib that she has for them. When they pull into the driveway and Jinger sees a taco truck and pink decorations, she realizes that something is going on.
  • “Jinger is very easy to surprise,” says Jessa. “She just kind of goes with the flow. It’s just easy to pull things over on her. She just doesn’t catch on very easily.”
  • The house and yard are FILLED with pink decorations and treats. Chuck shares a short message, and Jim Bob leads a prayer. When it comes time to open gifts, the Vuolos are blown away at how many there are. They are very grateful for everything their friends and family have done for them.
  • “It is just amazing to get to be there with Jinger and Jeremy before the baby arrives, just having a peaceful time there,” says Jedidiah. “I think it just makes it special.”
  • In Arkansas, Kendra’s parents help Joe and Kendra prepare for the birth. Kendra is 36 weeks pregnant, and her mom is 12 weeks along with her eighth child. “It’s super neat to be expecting at the same time,” says Christina Caldwell. “But Kendra got married young, and so we were hoping that we could still have another baby or two, but at the same time, we’re content, so we’re excited.”
  • When Christina was pregnant with her first (Kendra), a car accident at 36 weeks caused her labor to begin. For the next three weeks, her labor was on and off leading up to Kendra’s arrival.
  • Paul and Joseph install the car seat and pump up the labor ball, while the ladies make a baby book and pack the hospital bag. After checking those items off the to-do list, Joe and Kendra say they feel ready for Garrett's arrival.
  • On another day, Joe and Kendra do a time test to see how long it takes them to grab their things and drive to the hospital. Kendra is hoping for an all-natural birth.
  • Joe makes sure to take plenty of snacks. “Joseph, when he gets nervous, he stress eats,” says Josiah. “I’ve seen this condition because actually I experience the same thing.” The entire process takes only 28 minutes during rush hour.

Fall Visit from the Vuolos

To kick off the fall season, Jinger and Jeremy enjoyed a visit from Jeremy's family. As he often does when he is in town, Jeremy's dad, also a pastor, preached a message to Jeremy's congregation at Grace Community Church.

The weather in Laredo has finally gotten cooler, with temperatures in the high 80s and low 90s. You can imagine how welcome of a change that is for the Vuolos. And in other news, Felicity Vuolo, whom Jinger and Jeremy call Lissy, recently turned two months old.

Chuck and Diana Vuolo, Jinger Vuolo, Felicity Vuolo, Jeremy Vuolo
Valerie Vuolo (Jeremy's sister), Charles Vuolo (Jeremy's brother), 
Chuck and Diana Vuolo, Jinger Vuolo, Felicity Vuolo, Jeremy Vuolo


If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Photo courtesy jingerandjeremy.com

Sunday, September 23, 2018

The Vuolos' Gender Reveal

Duggar gender reveal party

Tomorrow night on TLC, catch another all-new episode of Counting On. "Jinger's Double Surprise" premieres at 9pm ET/8pm CT.

In addition to the gender reveal party that Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo host in honor of their daughter, you'll see the Duggars unveil a surprise of their own for Jinger. And back in Arkansas, Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson get together with family and friends for a giant game of foosball, and Joseph and Kendra Duggar welcome little Garrett Duggar. Check out the preview video below.



Photo/video courtesy TLC

Thursday, September 20, 2018

AC is a Non-Negotiable in Laredo

Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo

"I'm 21 weeks along, and having this little one inside of me, I think it's like an in-built heater. And not having AC, that would be a challenge. My mom was always hot all the time when she was pregnant with us. She would always be cranking the AC super low."
-Jinger Vuolo

Just as they are leaving for a midwife appointment in San Antonio, Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo notice that their air conditioning unit is leaking (video below). But thanks to a good friend, they might not have to suffer through the Laredo heat after all.


Photo/video courtesy TLC

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Dillard Cousin #1

A little less than two weeks ago, Israel Dillard and Samuel Dillard met their first Dillard cousin! Jaxon Michael Dillard was born to Derick's brother, Dan, and sister-in-law, Deena, on September 5th. Derick and Dan don't have any other siblings, so the Dillard side will always be small compared to the Duggar side.

Samuel Dillard, Israel Dillard, Jaxon Dillard
Samuel Dillard (14 months), Israel Dillard (almost three-and-a-half), Jaxon Dillard

Photo courtesy dillardfamily.com

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Wedding Gowns, Skiing, and an Ultrasound

Did you catch last night's new episode of Counting On? In case you missed it, you can check out our written recap. TLC has also made the show available on the TLC website to those who have TV service.

Duggar wedding dress shopping


Photo courtesy TLC

Monday, September 17, 2018

'Lauren Finds Her Dress' Recap

Counting On "Lauren Finds Her Dress"
  • Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo visit the San Antonio Birth Center, where they are planning to deliver their baby. The center is two-and-a-half hours from their home but is near multiple hospitals.
  • Jinger was one of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's two children to be delivered at home, but she and Jeremy have decided that they don't want to go that route.“My mom and quite a few of my sisters have done home births, and for me, I don’t feel comfortable with it," says Jinger. 
  • Later, they have their gender reveal ultrasound at Amazing Baby. When the ultrasound technician informs the parents-to-be that they are having a girl, they are overjoyed. “We just could not believe it,” says Jinger. “I think my family is going to be thrilled to find out this news.”
  • Some of the Duggars (Jana, John, Jim Bob, Michelle, the Seewalds, the Forsyths, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn, Josie, Tyler, Mackynzie, and Michael) plus friends Elijah and Laura arrive at cabins in Granby, Colorado, to celebrate Jana and John’s 28th birthday. They have traveled from Arkansas in their bus.
  • “It’s really hard to get people together these days,” says Jana. “It kind of ends up being, whoever can make it for this or that can come.”
  • How do Jana and John compare? “She was pretty rowdy growing up,” says John. “She’d get in trouble a lot.” Jana clarifies: “Well I’d take up an offense for him. If someone wasn’t being nice, I’d be like…’You don’t do that to my twin. You don’t mess with him.’”
  • “As they’ve gotten older, I think their personalities have morphed into being more similar,” says Jessa. “They both are pretty opinionated.”'
  • “She used to pull the, ‘I’m older than you’ card all the time on me…but now, I pull it on her,” says John. “She doesn’t like that.”
  • After a birthday lunch, during which the family sings “Happy Birthday to Y’all” to Jana and John, it’s time to hit the slopes. While the Bates ladies wear skirts while skiing, the Duggars do not. “My sisters and I typically wear skirts, but there are certain activities where it’s more appropriate to wear something else,” explains Jessa.
  • The Duggars take ski lessons on the first day and then have a chance to practice what they learned on the second day. The little kids, especially Justin and Josie pick it up quickly. When asked who is the worst skier, Austin replies. “I’m going to plead the fifth. You know, we have to live together. Not live together as far as it’s my wife. I don’t mean that."
  • While everyone else skis, Michelle and Joy hang with the littles at the lodge. Gideon is one month old. “I really missed not having Joy there, skiing,” says Austin. “I mean, it’s fun going with the guys, but it’s just not the same.”
  • One evening, all the older siblings and spouses meet up for food and Pictionary. The words have to do with the twins and things they have done. It turns out to be a very competitive game. Most of the siblings, including John, agree that Jana is more competitive than John. 
  • One of the words is chicken coop, since Jana and James built the family’s chicken coop. “Jana has a whole bunch of chickens, or she had a whole bunch of chickens, in our garden,” says Jinger. “I think some of them got attacked by animals, so I don’t know. May they rest in peace, or many pieces.” Jana now has ducks.
  • John’s team ends up winning, and it takes competitive Jana a minute to compose herself.
  • Everyone has a blast on the ski trip. “Out of the different birthdays that we’ve had, this one definitely ranks up there as a great one, just spending family time together” says Jana.
  • Back in Arkansas, Lauren goes wedding dress shopping at The White Dress Boutique with Michelle, her bridesmaids, her mom, and her dad. “When I shop…I have a purpose,” says Lauren. “I go in there, it’s 15 minutes, and I’m out.” She has been to multiple places but hasn’t found “the one.” But she does know what she wants: crepe material, fitted, beads but no lace, and a modest high neckline. Lauren is going for elegant and classic.
  • After trying on three dresses with lots of details, Lauren comes out in a simple gown made of crepe material. The front has no embellishments on it, but the back has beads. She says she wants a gown that draws attention to her face, not to her body. “It’s more you, Lauren,” says Dwain. But he says he loves all of them. “My dad, he’s very thoughtful,” says Lauren. “He’ll put his opinion out, but he knows when to do it for me, but then sometimes he knows where I just want to hear, ‘I think it looks pretty,’ or something like that.”
  • “This dress is something I’ve really been looking for, but I was a little scared, just thinking, ‘In three more months, I’m going to be married, and this could be the dress I wear down the aisle.” Lauren tries on a fifth dress but ends up going back to the fourth one and choosing it. “I really couldn’t have asked for a better dress,” she says.

Why Jinger Opted Out of Home Birth

 Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo decline home birth

“My mom and quite a few of my sisters have done home births, and for me, I don’t feel comfortable with it."
-Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo

When faced with the decision of how and where to deliver their daughter, Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo initially choose a midwife-assisted birth at the San Antonio Birth Center. Located two-and-a-half hours from their home in Laredo, the center is within close proximity to multiple hospitals.

Ironically, Jinger was one of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's two children (the other being Joseph) to be delivered at home, but she and Jeremy have decided that they don't feel comfortable with a home birth. Ahead of Felicity Vuolo's arrival, the plan is to deliver at the San Antonio Birth Center, but closer to the time, they decide to deliver at a hospital with their midwife present.

Below is a preview, courtesy of People Magazine, of tonight's episode. Counting On "Lauren Finds Her Dress" premieres at at 9pm ET/8pm CT on TLC.



Photo/video courtesy TLC/People Magazine

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Wedding Dress Shopping with Dad


"Before Josiah came into the picture, my dad was my very best friend. I really value my dad's opinion. I really wanted him to be a part of [wedding dress shopping]."

-Lauren Swanson (now Lauren Duggar)

In this promo clip for tomorrow's new episode of Counting On, Lauren Swanson visits yet another wedding gown shop, The White Dress Boutique in Rogers, Arkansas. She knows exactly what she wants but hasn't been able to find it other stores. Like many brides, Lauren brings along her bridesmaids, mother, and future mother-in-law. But unlike most other brides, she also invites her dad to join her.


Photo/video courtesy TLC

Friday, September 14, 2018

Felicity at 2 Months

Felicity Vuolo is now eight weeks old! We know our readers are eager to see footage of this little sweetie on Counting On, but until then, we'll all just have to settle for photos. Hope you enjoy this snapshot of a daddy-daughter moment.

Jeremy Vuolo and Felicity Vuolo
Jeremy Vuolo and Felicity Vuolo

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Photo courtesy jingerandjeremy.com

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Duggar Mom Turns 52

Wishing Michelle Duggar a blessed birthday! This beautiful woman is turning 52 years young.


Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com, jingerandjeremy.com

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Baby Trivia


"...I might be a little bit of a sore loser."
-Joseph Duggar

It's no secret that the Duggars are a competitive family. At a joint, family baby shower for Joy and Austin Forsyth and Joe and Kendra Duggar, guests compete in a baby trivia game. But with challenging questions like "What is a swan's baby called?" it is not an easy game (video below).


Photo/video courtesy TLC

Grand-Duggar #9 Turns 1

Today is Mason Duggar's 1st birthday! Mason is the ninth-born of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's 12 grandchildren, and he is the youngest of Josh and Anna Duggar's five children.



Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com; Josh and Anna Duggar

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Artistic Photo of Jana

We thought you would enjoy seeing this artistic photo of Jana posing in front of a colorful mural painted on a brick wall. Next Monday on Counting On, you'll watch the family celebrate Jana and John-David Duggar's 28th birthdays in style...they're going skiing!

Jana Duggar
Jana Duggar

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Monday, September 10, 2018

'Thrift Store Date Night' Recap

Counting On "Thrift Store Date Night"
  • Josiah and Lauren (engaged for one month), Jessa and Ben, and Joe and Kendra go on a thrift store date night. They start off at a thrift store, where each person has a $20 budget and must purchase an outfit for his or her significant other to wear to dinner.
  • Jinger and Jeremy aren't in town for the date night, but Jinger's reaction is priceless. "Did they wash it before?" Jinger asks the producer. "They didn't wash it before? [Jeremy] would die."
  • The ladies quickly decide to buy "grandpa" outfits for the guys, while the guys have a more difficult time choosing clothes for the women, and the ladies are nervous. "I was very worried about Siah picking out my clothes because he's kind of unpredictable," admits Lauren. "He likes to play pranks."
  • Lauren ends up buying two outfits for Josiah, a "presentable" outfit and a prank outfit (pajama pants and a hospital gown).
  • When Josiah tries on the prank outfit and thinks it is the actual outfit, he is a bit perturbed. Everyone else is laughing, but he isn't. But he is thrilled about the other outfit. "I think he thanked me about 20 times," says Lauren. 
  • Ben buys Jessa a knee-length denim dress, Josiah buys a blue knee-length dress for Lauren, and Joseph errs on the side of caution and chooses a maxi skirt and loose fitting shirt for pregnant Kendra. 
  • During dinner at MarketPlace Grill, the couples discuss ways to foster a close marriage relationship. Ben admits that he gave Jessa the silent treatment once when he was upset, and he quickly realized how much it hurt her. 
  • In Laredo, Jinger and Jeremy have their own date night at the county fair. Jinger visited many fairs growing up, while Jeremy did not. Jeremy tries riding a mechanical bull. "I was concerned for him," says Jinger. He ends up falling off after 20 seconds.
  • At the Forsyth house, Joy and Austin are adjusting to parenthood. It has been a few weeks, and Joy-Anna is recovering from her C-section quicker than she had expected. 
  • It's bath time for Gideon. "Being a mom is in a lot of ways easier than I thought and then in a lot of ways harder than I thought," says Joy. As Joy has been recovering, Austin has gotten a crash course on diaper changing, which is something he is new to.
  • "...Since I had a C-section...[Austin] had to...do all the dirty work for me and for the baby," says Joy. "He's amazing. I haven't ever seen a guy give so much of himself for his wife." 
  • She states that she wants more kids but that she can't imagine having 18 more. "I think the reason why people keep having babies is because they're so deprived of sleep, they don't remember how hard it was," says Austin. 
  • Meanwhile, Jana heads up the set-up for Joy and Kendra's joint baby shower. Kendra's sister Lauren and the Duggars' friend Laura lend a hand. The shower is a "sip and see," which means guests will be able to see the baby (Gideon), but they will also be celebrating Kendra's pregnancy. "I am definitely excited about being a mom, but I don't know if I feel prepared," says Kendra.
  • As an activity during the shower, the two couples feed each other baby food. Austin calls the activity "obnoxious." Laura also has Josiah and Lauren take part because they will likely be parents soon.

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Thrift Store Date Night


Tomorrow evening on an all-new episode of Counting On, three Duggar couples (Jessa and Ben Seewald; Joseph and Kendra Duggar; and Lauren Swanson and Josiah Duggar--then courting, now married) go on a thrift store date night. What exactly does that mean? Whatever your partner chooses for you, you must wear.

Sounds a little risky, especially when you consider that the Duggars love practical jokes. Josiah is usually the one playing the pranks, but Lauren decides to give him a taste of his own medicine. Will he take it well?


Photo/video courtesy TLC

Win a Soothe Shirt


Happy Sunday! Over on one of my other blogs, BatesFamilyBlog.com, I am hosting a giveaway of a Soothe Shirt, a baby-wearing shirt by Lalabu. Head on over for instructions on how to enter to win.

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Joe and Kendra Celebrate 1 Year

Today is Joseph and Kendra Duggar's one-year wedding anniversary.

These two have experienced a lot of changes in their first year of marriage. Around the time that they announced their pregnancy to the family, they finished renovations on their house (located on the Duggar property) and moved in. On their nine-month anniversary, they welcomed little Garrett David Duggar. Happy one-year, Joe and Kendra!

Joseph and Kendra Duggar's wedding
Joseph and Kendra Duggar's wedding
Feeding each other cake

Joseph and Kendra Duggar's wedding
Joseph and Kendra Duggar's wedding
Sparkler send-off

Photos are property of duggarfamily.com and may not be used without written permission. To view the full album, visit the Duggars' website.

Photos are taken by photographer Tim Souza

Friday, September 7, 2018

14 Years and Counting

Where has the time gone? Yesterday was the 14-year anniversary of the premiere of the Duggars' first television special, 14 Children and Pregnant Again!

The special shows the ins and outs of life with 14 children, including homeschooling, meal preparations, the buddy system, and other large family logistics. Viewers are also given a first look at the home in which the Duggars now reside, but at this point, it is only a steel structure.

Towards the end of 14 Children and Pregnant Again, Jackson Levi Duggar (baby No. 15) is born via C-section. At this point, Michelle has only had one other C-section, with twins Jana and John-David. Have you seen the show?

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Michelle and Joy Discuss Birth

Michelle Duggar and Joy Duggar Forsyth

"I can't believe my baby is having a baby!"
-Michelle Duggar

In the TLC webisode below, Michelle Duggar stops by to see Joy and Austin Forsyth's new renovations and to discuss Joy's birth plan. Although Michelle only delivered two of her babies at home (Jinger and Joseph), she has had many natural hospital births and will be an important asset to Joy's birth team.


Photo/video courtesy TLC

Jeremy Turns 31

Wishing Jeremy Vuolo a blissful 31st birthday!

Jeremy Vuolo and Felicity Vuolo
Jeremy Vuolo and Felicity Vuolo
August 2018
Derick Dillard, Samuel Dillard, Jill Dillard, Jinger Vuolo, Jeremy Vuolo, John-David Duggar
Derick Dillard, Samuel Dillard, Jill Dillard, Jinger Vuolo, Jeremy Vuolo, John-David Duggar
January 2018

Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo
Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo
Christmas 2017

Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo
Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo
February 2018

Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo
Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo
May 2017

Jeremy Vuolo and Jinger Duggar
Jeremy Vuolo and Jinger Duggar
July 2016
In other news, the Vuolos have added a new member to their little family, Jacob the cat!

Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo new cat Jacob

Photos courtesy jingerandjeremy.com

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Labor Day with Josh and Anna

Josh and Anna Duggar and their five children spent Labor Day at Farmland Adventures, a farm in Northwest Arkansas that has corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, wagon rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and more. The entire Duggar clan loves this place and has visited many times over the years, including last September. This time, Josh and Anna went with both family and friends.

Josh and Anna Duggar
Josh Duggar, Marcus Duggar, Mackynzie Duggar, Michael Duggar,
Mason Duggar, Meredith Duggar, Anna Duggar

Mason Duggar
Mason Duggar

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com/Josh and Anna Duggar

Monday, September 3, 2018

'A Birth-Day and a Birthday' Recap

Counting On "A Birth-Day and a Birthday"

  • Jessa has Jinger, Joy, and Kendra over for brunch (quiche and fruit). “Jessa is a great mentor and friend to all of us,” says Jinger. “It’s nice that she’s kind of gone before us and paved the way.” Jinger is 17 weeks pregnant, Joy is nine months pregnant, and Kendra is about five months pregnant. Kendra is thrilled because she has recently started feeling the baby move.
  • “Duggar babies, we just grow ‘em big,” says Jessa, as the girls discuss the large size of “Duggar heads” and Duggar babies in general. “I’m really nervous about that,” says Jinger.
  • Later, the Duggars host a construction-themed birthday party for Henry and Tyler. “Tyler is my great-nephew, and he is a part of our family for now, and we love him so much,” explains Michelle. “He’s such a sweet boy, and so we’re thankful to have him.”
  • Bad weather (29F and freezing rain) forces the Duggars to move the rental inflatable bounce house inside their house, which makes for a chaotic atmosphere.
  • During the party, Jim Bob and Michelle call everyone together so they can share positive traits about Tyler (tender-heartedness, gentleness, etc). Jessa and Ben share some of Henry’s milestones (walking, although not yet talking).
  • Jim Bob meets Josiah, Lauren, and chaperone Tyler at the Baylor house, which Jim Bob and Michelle purchased three years ago. The plan is for Josiah and Lauren to live in the 9,000-square-foot house and keep it up until it sells. “I think I may live her for a little while, and then I’ll spend the rest of the year trying to find [Lauren] in this house,” says Josiah.
  • Ahead of the birth, Michelle, Roxanne (Austin’s mom), Jana, and Jessa help Joy make freezer meals.
  • Joy goes into labor at 7pm on her due date. Michelle, Jana, and Johannah join Joy, Austin, and the midwife at Joy and Austin’s house, as do Austin’s mom and sister (Meagan). “Seeing my wife in pain, that was pretty hard,” says Austin, who has been an EMT for four years.
  • After 19 hours, Joy is transported to the hospital because the baby is breech. Jim Bob meets them there. Both Joy and Austin are disappointed when they find out that a C-section is necessary, but they are both ready to do whatever it takes to deliver the baby.
  • “Meeting the baby for the first time was incredible,” says Joy with a huge smile on her face. “Both Austin and I were just crying. It was such a sweet moment.” Austin announces the gender to Joy. It’s a boy! Jim Bob calls Jennifer (Joy's buddy) to tell her the news, and she tells John, who shares it with the rest of the siblings with a confetti cannon.
  • Gideon Martyn Forsyth has a larger head circumference (15 inches) than Michelle’s largest (14.5 inches) baby.
  • After Joy and the baby are settled at home, Jim Bob and Michelle bring all the kids over to meet him. “...It’s more responsibility than I thought it was,” Joy says of parenthood. “It's definitely amazing, though. I can’t imagine not having the baby around now."