The Duggar's expecting 17th child

Jim Bob Duggar and wife, Michelle Duggar, 40, are expecting their 17th child together. The couple are known for their television shows on their large family and the fact that Jim Bob is a former state representative and U.S. Senate candidate. The baby girl, due to arrive July 27th, will be named Jennifer Danielle, keeping with tradition of naming all their children beginning with the letter J.

Michelle is now 40 and feeling a little different than how she did with her first pregnancy at 21, however she says;

"I still have plenty of energy and only minor aches and pains. With each baby, God's given me the grace and the energy to keep going, and they really keep you going. I don't get up and play the games as hard as I used to, and I try to be a little more careful."

The couple says they view every stage of their children's lives as an adventure;

"I've never been a mom of a 19-year-old young man and a 17-year-old young man and woman, so every phase of parenting is an exciting adventure."

The couple says that they will continue to have children as long as Michelle can and see each child as a blessing from God;

"Really, our heart is we would love to receive whatever gifts or blessings the Lord wants to give us. But I love the baby stage and I can't imagine life without having a toddler in the house. "

The Duggars' other children are Joshua, 19; John David, 17; Janna, 17; Jill, 15; Jessa, 14; Jinger, 13; Joseph, 12; Josiah, 11; Joy-Anna, 10; Jeremiah, 8; Jedidiah, 8; Jason, 7, James, 5; Justin, 4; Jackson Levi, 2; Johanna Faith, 19 months.

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I have seen that show and the older kids are responsible for one of the younger ones like a buddy system. To me that falls on the line of neglect...if you can't take care of your own kids you need to stop having them. How sad...how do you give quality time to 17 kids?

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I've seen it too... They all seem like nice people, you know? I see what you mean, though. It seems more like being the CEO of a company and delegating, rather than fully parenting. I hate to be judgemental -- if I could do it (Hell, I can't even produce one), and had the money, I'd probably never stop having babies either...

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I'm sorry but this disgusts me. Im starting to wonder if these people are having kids simply because they can. I mean, why not right? You get a tv show, most likely money for that tv show, and what some people love the most... attention.

Its a huge difference to have children because of the reasons why the women here and FF want children but its another to throw your ability to have multiple children in the faces of others simply because you can. I just cant respect these people, whether I knew them or not.

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One thing that makes me feel better about them is that from the shows I have watched they do not need money help and that they can provide for their children in that respect. But I do have to agree that I don't see how it can be possible to give any personal attention to your children. But they do look happy I wish them all the luck. Even if I could have more children I don't think I would well I might have had one more but even with 2 its hard lol.

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I've seen the show too and it bugs me...and I agree with Christina it's almost like showing off their fertility....but maybe they don't see it that way. I did see one episode that they were running a mass and they did a prayer for a couple suffering from infertility.

I often wonder how I can have the attention for a new baby with a soon to be teenager on my hands. Or attention for my soon to be teenager with a new baby. But hoping it all works out.

On the flip side - as I'm in the midst of 18 cycles of TTC. I have no plans of EVER going back on birth control. And if I keep getting knocked up I will certainly welcome any surprises I get.

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Urgh. I just read that article again, I dont know why.

I swear its like these people use their religion as an excuse to continue to have children.

It really pisses me off.

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I have watched this show and am constantly amazed that they can do what they do. I feel differantly than most because I have a friend that comes from a large family 10 children and knows the Duggers personally. She loves coming from that large of a family and wouldnt trade any of her siblings. After her last sibling was born her mom had to have a hystorectomy because of bleeding. Her family is too, very religious and feel that all of the kids are a blessing. Her only complaint about her childhood was that her parents are very strict and way overprotective.
They also didnt dress in the way the Duggers do and my friend is one of the most trendy people I have ever met.

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17 kids

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I have no words for this

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"Jim Bob Duggar and his wife, Michelle Duggar, who became well known after a series of documentary television shows on TLC and Discovery Health, welcomed their 17th child, daughter Jennifer Danielle today (Thursday, August 2) at 10:01 a.m. at St. Mary's Hospital in Arkansas. The couple's new daughter weighed in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and was six days overdue.

Jennifer will be welcomed home by her 16 siblings, Joshua, 19, twins John David and Janna, 17, Jill, 16, Jessa, 14, Jinger, 13, Joseph, 12, Josiah, 11, Joy-Anna, 9, twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah, 8, Jason 7, James 6, Justin, 4, Jackson, 3, and Johannah, almost 2.

The couple are already discussing having more children."

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17 seems like a bit much.

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I am happy for them that they have a healthy baby girl. I wish them all the luck they need it with 17 kids.

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