Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Bella's 1st Christmas

Bella Duggar, Christmas 2019

On our Bates blog, we posted a photo of little Willow Balka lying under Josie and Kelton's Christmas tree in East Tennessee, so we thought it would be appropriate to share a similar picture of Bella Duggar in Northwest Arkansas. Bella is almost seven weeks old.

Wishing all our readers a very Merry Christmas! May we take time to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday, which is Jesus Christ's birth.

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

97 comments:

  1. She's so precious! I wonder if Lauren and Josiah are using cloth diapers. It looks like a cloth diaper under her pj. I do with my newborn and it's not that much more work, and it saves a ton of money! Also, I personally believe it's more comfortable for the child. Happy Holidays to all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I WAS WONDERING THE SAME THING. I USED CLOTH ON MY NEWBORNS ALSO. GLAD I WAS NOT THE ONLY THINKING THAT.
      HAVE A WONDERFUL NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

      Delete
  2. Bella looks like a little early Christmas gift herself! :) So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  3. A thick furry vest looks silly with a onesie. She should have put a little dress on her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SHE WAS ALL DRESSED UP PLENTY OF PICTURES OF HER DRESSED IN A CUTE LITTLE DRESS. SO MAYBE BEFORE YOU ATTACK SOMEONE FROM BEHIND A COMPUTER SCREEN, PLEASE LOOK AT ALL THE PICTURES. AND NOTHING WRONG WITH HER IN HER ONESIE. BUT GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU.

      Delete
  4. Christmas Movies Please!!! ☺️ Maybe some Home Alone 2?! Enjoy! Merry Christmas!! Feast out all you want!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They dont watch much tv

      Delete
    2. Really! We have to make people feel worse about leaving comments?! We all understand that they don’t watch TV. Please just let people be people and don’t bring them down because of what they say in the comments. ๐Ÿ˜Š ๐Ÿ™ Thanks.

      Delete
  5. Lol, this picture is almost an exact copy of the one you posted of Josie’s baby on the Bates blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apparently Josie wasn't too happy about that, from a "Like" she did on someone's comment about the picture.

      Delete
    2. One of the girls must have gotten the idea from the other. It’s a great idea. Both daughters are gorgeous babies.

      Delete
    3. lol. Anything the Bates do, the Duggars can do better.

      Delete
    4. Josie’s picture was cuter, Willow was in a cute little Christmas dress and Josie knows how to work a camera. Bella is still precious however๐Ÿ˜

      Delete
    5. 8:14. I think you have the families mixed up. Comparison in natural, but the Bates kiddults are much more accomplished than the Duggar’s. For one they all go to college or trade school. The girls run their own business. With this picture Josie clearly took time ( and fully dressed Willow!), made sure everything matched and blended ( no outlet cords hanging down), presents neatly arranged around Willow vs pushed out of the way, and no “is it or isn’t it a blow out”? However, the bottom line is they are both beautiful babies that proud Mama’s wanted to the world to see๐Ÿ˜ƒ

      Delete
    6. 3:31, you can't actually tell what Willow is wearing in her picture, but it looks more like a one-piece outfit than a dress.

      Delete
  6. Just wanted to wish all the Duggars , Dillards, Seewalds , Vuolos , and Forsyths all. a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year

    ReplyDelete
  7. There's LOTS of First Christmas Babies in the Duggar family this year!! Merry Christmas to all!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. adorable baby but not the outfit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not my favorite look either.

      Delete
    2. I think the outfit is cute.....her little chubby legs make it even cuter.

      Delete
    3. They forgot to finish dressing her.

      Delete
    4. Why do people like to complain so much. To make rude comments about a sweet picture is just sad.

      Delete
  9. Yikes! Think Bella needs a diaper change.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought the same thing. LOL

      Delete
    2. Likes like a cloth diaper under the onesie.

      Delete
    3. I really think it's a purple or otherwise darker pattern on the diaper. If she's breastfed, a dirty diaper wouldn't be dark like that.

      Delete
    4. I think she’s wearing a diaper with a pattern...floral maybe...it’s not a blow out.

      Delete
    5. That kind of looks like a cloth diaper cover or print on a diaper. You don't usually see that dark color until they are eating solid food.

      Delete
    6. May be a cloth diaper. Looks like it to me.

      Delete
    7. I thought so at first, too. But then I looked again and I think Bella is wearing a cloth diaper with a cover.

      Delete
    8. Lauren said she doesn’t use cloth diapers.

      Delete
    9. I think the point is it LOOKS like a blow out diaper.

      Delete
    10. If she had a blow out I'm sure after this pic was taken sue was changed...sheesh

      Delete
    11. It's not the point whether the diaper would be changed AFTER the photo. A dirty diaper doesn't look good IN the photo. They should have noticed and not taken a photo looking like that.

      Delete
    12. Nobody would pose a baby for a social media picture like this with an obviously full (and smelly) diaper. To think otherwise is silly.

      Delete
  10. Wow, their pictures are so similar!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. Just like Lauren’s hat is so similar to Josie’s. I think Lauren is a bit enamored with Josie’s style.

      Delete
  11. All too often there are outsiders who complain about the Duggar family rules. Well, rules keep society functioning well. Perfect no that would require perfect adherence but none-the-less. The Duggar world with all the conservative boundaries Michelle and JimBob set into place has a far higher success rate than most US families running with secular liberal dribble.

    Some of the grown children are venturing off to more liberal ways, only time will tell what impact these seeds will bring to fruition.
    You grow what you sew.
    They grew them we'll, but even the Good Lord leaves us with Freewill.
    They're like the rest of us, human finding their way through life learning one lesson at a time.
    Instead of folks being hateful, bless them with all the choices they're still choosing Christ.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @Thea Regarding your first paragraph. There's a fine line between parents having rules and parents enforcing those rules super strictly, dictating their children's lives, keeping them secluded from things, etc. etc. Many feel the Duggars have crossed that line and the children are oppressed in certain ways because of it.

      I take real offense, though, at your phrase "secular liberal dribble." There are far more mainstream, liberal parents who raise fantastic, moral, mature, and compassionate children than you are giving credit to here. There's a 10 year old in my neighborhood who was given a Presidential award for his groundbreaking efforts to fight hunger among local school children. His parents and his whole family are ultra-liberal. His grandmother held an elected office here. So don't lump people into labeled categories like that. Look at them one by one, and see what their values are, not their politics. We all certainly know of conservatives whose moral compasses have gone way off track!

      Delete
    2. I notice that my comment was moved down. I want to make it clear that it is Thea Smith's comment that I referenced as "nicely said. To the commenter at 4:30, it's the secular liberals you are find of that are ruining our schools in so many ways I don't have time to chronicle here.

      Delete
    3. 4:30 Thank you for your well-articulated comment. I couldn't agree more. I'm so tired of the labels people feel a need to pin on others, just because they may not share the same religious or political views and they do.

      Delete
    4. 10:50- I am a retired public school teacher of 37 years and currently a volunteer tutor in my local school district. I take deep offense to your uninformed comment. The educators I know are too busy teaching the basic subjects, rather than pushing some mythical liberal agenda you refer to. Yes, there are good and bad schools, just like there are good and bad private, religious or home schooling situations.

      Delete
  12. I really only desire to be a positive Godly encouragement to this family.

    Without even knowing it, they have blessed me so many times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It’s wonderful to think that we positively affect people without even knowing it. Your words are very kind toward the Duggar’s. I hope they know what a positive influence they are.

      Delete
    2. Yes, Thea, I agree! I can say the same..... they have blessed me, too, so many times. God bless them!

      Delete
    3. Thea- After reading your previous comment@7:30, I hope you have it in your heart to find encouragement from all kinds of people in the world. There are many wonderful individuals and groups who may not share your religious or political views, but are doing awesome things in this world to help humanity. Don't pigeon-hole people.

      Delete
    4. Well said, Thea. There are so many people who affect us in ways they’ll never know. A big “thank you” to all those people who make us who we are.

      Delete
  13. It’s also Ivy, Addison and Maryella’s first too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, maybe later we'll get to see pictures of their first Christmas too.

      Delete
  14. She's so little. Sweet photo

    ReplyDelete
  15. A new wrinkle in the Bates-Duggar family competition. Best baby under a tree photo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If it’s a competition I suggest Lauren and Josiah change Bella’s nappy and finish clothing her.

      Delete
    2. Lol i thought the same.

      Delete
    3. Do you find them competitive?

      Delete
    4. There is no Bates-Duggar competition. Just young Lauren Duggar wanting to be popular like young Josie Balka. Josie has that “it” factor...

      Delete
    5. So because two people do the same thing it makes it a competition?

      Delete
    6. 3:32. Lauren has taken to making similar clothing choices as Josie, including the hat.

      Delete
  16. Precious little one. May God richly bless all of the Duggars.

    ReplyDelete
  17. That's an interesting outfit. I can't wait to see your family on Counting On. Natasha B.

    ReplyDelete
  18. It’s Addison, Ivy, and Maryella’s first Christmas too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, but their parents didn't put them under a Christmas tree.

      Delete
  19. Bella is adorable. I ask about Willow's vest on the Bates blog. Where can I buy one??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. check out Amazon....they have a few :)

      Delete
    2. Why would a baby that size need a vest like that? Seems impractical, and a waste of money because they'll outgrow it in weeks. It looks only like a prop in that picture.

      Delete
    3. I've never heard of an actual piece of clothing referred to as a prop. Wouldn't that be a costume?

      Delete
    4. A vest cannot be a prop, by definition, because it's being worn, not held or placed near the photo subject. Amazon is selling lots of fake fur vests right now, so apparently it's a thing. The prices are pretty reasonable, some less than $10. I don't think a baby is likely to outgrow a vest any faster than they are to outgrow any other piece of clothing.

      Delete
  20. Wishing all the Duggars, Bates, and Lily and Ellie and their families a very Merry Christmas, too!

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a cutie pie. God Bless Bella.
    Joan,Marion and Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
  22. Bella is a cute little girl.

    ReplyDelete
  23. She is already so much cuter. Her cheeks have filled out and those eyes are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh my goodness! Adorable baby! So inappropriate on an adult’s part.
    Prayers being said for this little one’s future and well being.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As a mom, I don't really get the whole "fur" vest thing. Is this supposed to signal she's a little fashionista or her mom is? Or is this supposed to make them look "rich"? Is this the newest way to show off a baby? I'm not being critical or mean here, I honestly don't get what the message is supposed to be here with the faux fur vest. I've always kind of been like God created this unique, tiny little human being so what right do I have to "show off" "my" baby?

      Delete
    2. What are you meaning by inappropriate?? She was probably under a fake tree for like 3 seconds...chill out

      Delete
    3. 10:48 I'm sure her future will be just fine

      Delete
    4. I don't understand your comment.

      Delete
    5. What are you talking about?

      Delete
    6. I think of a furry vest like that as being warm and cozy, not an opulent garment. For that matter, everything they wear is going to get grown out of quickly, which is why they pass around baby clothes and shop consignment and thrift stores.

      Delete
    7. I have good news, 7:28. Amazon is selling bunches of different fake fur baby vests for under $20. So no status symbols there. Apparently there are lots of babies wearing them. Not my style, but whatever. I'm also curious how the way you dress your baby takes away from them being unique, God-created beings. A cute baby is a cute baby, no matter what he or she is wearing. And moms are going to put their babies in clothes they want their babies to wear, the baby has no choice in the matter. How did you dress your babies in a way that wasn't showing off or wasn't a reflection of your own tastes?

      Delete
    8. Good grief. If you've got a problem with a fur vest on an infant, you're overthinking it. What parent doesn't do something cutise for a photograph, especially on a holiday? Just because it isn't your taste, don't read a whole lot else into it.

      Delete
  25. We have all used babies as props in photos but i think Lauren could have done a different pose and clothing instead of trying to duplicate the one of Willow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have never used a baby as a photo prop. Are you saying they used the baby as a prop for the amazing picture of the bottom of a Christmas tree? ๐Ÿ˜„

      Delete
    2. I don't think you quite understand the purpose of a prop. The baby is the subject of the picture, or one of the subjects of the picture. A prop is something added to the picture for effect. A subject is not a prop.

      Delete
    3. I had a beautiful flowering bush and i put the baby close to it and took pic then sent to a friend to show how beautiful the flowers were. the baby was a bonus in that pic. So yes i consider the baby was a prop.

      Delete
    4. 1:26, that is interesting. I would never consider my child secondary to a bush.

      Delete
    5. That's interesting that you thought of your baby as a prop. I would think it would be more a picture of a baby and a bush. It strikes me as dehumanizing to consider a person to be a prop.

      Delete
  26. So who copied who? The pictures are too similar to be a coincidence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since the Bates one appeared first, my guess would be the Duggars were the copycats.

      Delete
    2. Josie posted with Willow first and then Lauren did a few days later.

      Delete
    3. How do you know they copied each other? Maybe they both got the idea off Pinterest.

      Delete
  27. Such hateful people are on this blog. Some of the comments are aweful.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I think putty your baby under a Christmas tree is a bit strange. That being said, Josie did a much better job creating a nice photo. Everything neatly arranged and no enormous diaper showing. Bella's diaper pretty much dominates the picture of her which is too bad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think it's strange. I'm sure they consider their babies to be the best gift they've gotten this year.

      Delete
  29. Bella is so cute it hurts! Such an adorable little doll baby, she is the best gift and her little fur vest, oh my, I am in love!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. To 5:55 --- what is the It factor you refer to Josie having? I have never even heard of her until now. LOL!!!!!!! Why does it even matter if one has a similar photo to the other? Not like Josie copyrighted her set or pose or outfit or anything in her photograph. People copy friends or family or things off the internet all of the time.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving your comments! We answer as many of your questions as we can, but due to the number of comments we receive daily, we are unable to answer every one. Our aim is to post all points of view, but we do not post anything that is profane, insulting, derogatory, or in poor taste.