Josie Duggar Update

On December 10th, Josie Duggar celebrated her 5th birthday. If you have been following the Duggars since 2009, you know Josie was born via emergency C-section, weighing only 1 pound 6 ounces. 

 Josie Duggar soon after her birth in December 2009

"She was pretty fragile there for the first six months, and even the first couple years," Jim Bob Duggar told PEOPLE. "But she's gotten stronger and stronger, and it's hard to hold her down now! We are thrilled with her progress and so thankful to God that she is alive and doing so well."

 Josie Duggar, 2014

When Josie was born at 25 weeks gestation on December 10th, 2009, at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the Duggars relocated to Little Rock to keep their family together as they gave their 19th child the attention she needed. They rented the historical Cornish House. (Click here to read a post from five years ago about the Cornish House.)

 Jana and Josiah Duggar with Josie Duggar in early 2010

Josie Duggar, 2010

Josie Duggar is alive and well today, thanks to the prayers of millions across the world and the dedication of the doctors and nurses who cared for her in the NICU. The Duggars are grateful to God that Josie survived and is thriving.

To celebrate Josie's 5th birthday, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar took several of their children to McDonald's, Josie's favorite restaurant.

 Jason Duggar, Jana Duggar, Jackson Duggar, Jordyn Duggar, 

Michelle Duggar, Josie Duggar, Jim Bob Duggar

Jordyn Duggar, Michelle Duggar, Josie Duggar, Jim Bob Duggar

"It's a huge milestone for her at 5 years old, because of course she was in the hospital for six months," Jim Bob Duggar told PEOPLE. 

Josie Duggar Update

Now 28 months old, Josie Duggar--born at 25 weeks gestation, weighing only one pound, six ounces--is doing phenomenally well. At a recent checkup, Arkansas Children's Hospital gave her a clean bill of health. Jim Bob and Michelle will continue to take Josie to a pediatrician in Northwest Arkansas to monitor her development.

Josie Update!

How is Josie progressing? Is she walking yet? Michelle gave us those answers and many more during our interview...

"She weighs seventeen pounds," announced Michelle. "And she's walking around, pulling up on furniture and walking around things now...She is jabbering all the time, and she tries to follow her little sisters around, her big sisters anyway, and keep up with them... It won't be any time before she's going to be taking off running and chasing big sisters!"

Ellie asked about Josie's adorable pigtails, and Michelle told us that "Those are called her Bebe Doos. We put them on, and people will always go, 'Are those... is that her real hair?' And we pull them off, and they're like 'Oh my, that is too funny!'"

Have you ever heard of Bebe Doos? Click here to see where the Duggars bought them. Would you consider buying them for your baby, or for another baby in your life?

Josie Update!

Josie Duggar will be 11 months old in just 5 days! We spoke with Michelle Duggar last week -- Click here to listen to the interview-- and she was thrilled to report that Josie is thriving. She now weighs in at over 15 pounds!
"Josie is doing wonderful!" reported the mom of 19. "She is a miracle baby...Her brain, and her eyes, and her ears, and all of those important things are working perfectly." Her favorite toy is the Jumperoo, and she loves to roll around on the floor.

Did/do your kids love the Jumperoo?

Just Announced: Josie Duggar Update!

People Magazine announced just three hours ago that Josie Duggar is still in the hospital. She was released on April 6th but was rushed back to Arkansas Children's for minor stomach complications just two days later. She now weighs 5 pounds, 14 ounces and has been growing at a steady rate of about 2 ounces each day. Michelle says that Josie loves to eat. "When she feels good," the mother of 19 explains, "she looks at you and smiles and talks. She's definitely a talker and has the sweetest personality."
Josie has been having problems with digestion, and Dr. Arrington, co-director of the NICU at Arkansas Childrens' Hospital,  is looking for a more permanent solution.  The Duggars hope to have Josie back home with them soon. 

Josie Rushed Back to Hospital

Hello readers! Here's the latest Duggar update. Josie Brooklyn Duggar went home last Tuesday after spending the first four months of her life in the NICU but was rushed back to Arkansas Children's Hospital last Thursday at 3:00 in the morning.

After being home for just a couple days, she developed some "minor stomach issues," report Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. She suffered constipation, which the doctors believe was caused by the fortifiers added to Michelle's breast milk to help Josie grow stronger. Her vital signs had begun to drop, but she is now in a stable condition at the hospital.

	"Dr. Arrington told us to never trust a preemie," explained Jim Bob. "That is really true." Dr. Robert Arrington is Josie's doctor and the co-director of the NICU at Arkansas Children's.  Josie is doing great, and the Duggars hope to have her back home later this week.

"Josie Duggar's First Hug" Recap

This evening on 19 Kids and Counting, "Josie Duggar's First Hug," TLC aired footage of Josie Duggar at 40 days old. She weighed 2 pounds 5 ounces and is continuing to develop quickly.

Having been told after Josie's birth not to stimulate their daughter in any way, when parents Jim Bob and Michelle were finally able to stroke their baby, they were thrilled. Now, the doctors and nurses are allowing Michelle to pick up Josie and hold her, skin to skin. "This is the most calming moment I've had," explained the elated mother. With her baby in her arms, Michelle was fighting back tears.

"Duggars Under Water" Recap

Hello, readers! It has been a busy week, and we apologize for not posting a reminder about 19 Kids and Counting, "Duggars Under Water," which premiered yesterday. Thanks to all who voiced their opinions on our post about thrift stores. Second-hand shopping is not always easy, but it can sure save a lot of money!   

And now for the recap of the show (and an UPDATE ON JOSIE!)

When TLC checked in with the Duggars, Josie was 39 days old and weighing 2.5 pounds. Jim Bob and Michelle visited their daughter and were thrilled to see her sucking on a pacifier! Josie is growing and doing very well, but since her due date is still weeks away, the doctors must keep a close eye on her progress.

The Duggars recently visited the USS Razorback Submarine, one of the longest-used submarines in the history of the world. The tour had a rocky start for Johannah, who was terrified to enter the submarine. Once everyone passed safely through the hatch, she changed her mind and climbed happily down the ladder, relieved and just a bit embarrassed.

Don't miss next week's episode, "Josie Duggar's First Hug." Michelle has been waiting since early December to hold her precious daughter, and the day has finally arrived! Then, watch as the children explain how they continue homeschooling in their home away from home. 

Josie Duggar Update: Growing Stronger Each Day

And now for an update on Josie Duggar:
Josie's nurses and doctors predict that she will be able to go home in about a month, near her March 18th due date. Mother Michelle is thrilled to be able to hold her baby now, and father Jim Bob continues to be devoted to his beautiful new daughter. A few weeks ago when Josie began sucking on her fingers, her parents were overjoyed. "That's the first time I've seen her do that," remarked Jim Bob.
Back at the Cornish house, the Duggars' "home away from home," Grandma Duggar and the older girls have their hands full keeping up with household chores and taking care of the little ones. Aside from Josie's good health, the family has recently celebrated yet another benchmark: 18th child Jordyn, just over a year old, is learning to walk! The Duggar kids love to watch her toddle around and help her up when she falls. Jordyn has a lot of energy, just like all her brothers and sisters.
What do you think?