Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar-Child #18 Has Arrived

Update: Child #18 was born by C-section on December 18, 2008 at 1:40pm. She weighs 7 lbs and 3 ounces and her name is Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar. Her birth came just a bit earlier than the original due date of January 1, 2009. The Dallas Morning News reported that Michelle's contractions started Wednesday night and the C-section, which was Michelle's third, was necessary because the baby was transverse. According to her father Jim Bob, she is the "ultimate Christmas gift from God".

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar and the Duggar family are subjects of a reality series on the Discovery Channel. The show is a fascinating chronicle that illustrates how life can be managed successfully in a family of this size.

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar are licensed real estate agents who live in Tontitown, Arkansas. Their oldest son, Josh, is 20 years old and their youngest child, Jennifer, was born August 2, 2007.

According to their website, Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar married July 21, 1984. Like many couples, they decided to postpone children until they were financially secure. Four years later, they decided they were ready for children. On March 3, 1988, Josh was born. Michelle went back on birth control pills, but conceived and had a miscarriage. The Duggars feel that birth control pills are responsible for the miscarriage. The Duggars state that the product information they found about birth control pills and the medical opinion of their doctor confirm that there is a risk of conceiving and having a miscarriage while taking birth control pills. Being Christian pro-lifers, they felt personal responsibility for their loss and determined never to use birth control again. The Duggars state that they asked God for as many children as He saw fit to give them. Michelle quickly became pregnant with twins. They were born in 1990.

Some interesting facts about the Duggars

Jim Bob Duggar was an Arkansas State Representative from 1999-2003.

They start and end every day with a family Bible study.

All of the children are home schooled. Every child learns to play the piano and violin.

Michelle is the only one in the family whose name does not start with a "J".

The Duggars are debt-free. They do not even carry a debt for the 7,000 square foot house that the family physically helped to build in 2007.

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar spend less than $2000. monthly on groceries.

A video announcement about the positive pregnancy test for baby Duggar number 18 is on the web site. Jim Bob Duggar also emphasizes that they are taping 10-12 new shows for fall of 2008. They will be about the "ups and downs" of raising a family with 17 (plus one) children. He also states that twenty year old Josh will also reveal a surprise on the new fall shows.

If you have never seen the show and would like to preview it, you can watch a re-run called "On The Road with 16 Children" on the Discovery Channel May 9, 2008 at 8 p.m. eastern time and "Raising 16 Children" on May 15, 9 p.m.

The website includes many pictures and more information about Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar and the Duggar family. It also offers an opportunity for viewers to choose from possible "J" names for child number eighteen.

If you have a judgmental or pre-conceived opinion about couples that choose to have exceptionally large families, I would suggest that you visit their website and watch a few of their television shows. While it is not a good idea for everyone, this family illustrates how an exceptionally large family can be a positive experience for all involved.

Sources Used:

http://health.discovery.com/convergence/duggars/duggarfamily.html

http://www.duggarfamily.com/aboutus.html

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/121908dntex18thbaby.2c95770.html

http://blogs.discovery.com/duggars/