Arkansa Couple Welcome 17th Child

[ya falaha! 0]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - It's a girl — again — for the Duggars. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar welcomed their 17th child, and seventh daughter, into the world Thursday.

Jennifer Danielle was born at 10:01 a.m. at Saint Mary's Hospital in Rogers, Ark., the Duggars said in an interview. Jennifer weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and arrived five days after Michelle's due date.

Less than 30 minutes after giving birth, the Duggars already were talking of having more.

"We'd love to have more," Michelle said, adding that the girls are outnumbered seven to 10 in the family. "We love the ruffles and lace."

Jennifer joins the fast-growing Duggar brood, who live in Tontitown in a 7,000-square-foot home. All the children — whose names start with the letter J — are home-schooled.

The oldest is 19 and the youngest, before Jennifer, is almost 2 years old.

"We are just so grateful to God for another gift from him," said Jim Bob Duggar, 42, a former state representative. "We are just so thankful to him that everything went just very well."

Jennifer joins siblings Joshua, 19; John David, 17; Janna, 17; Jill, 16; Jessa, 14; Jinger, 13; Joseph, 12; Josiah, 11; Joy-Anna, 9; Jedidiah, 8; Jeremiah, 8; Jason 7; James 6; Justin, 4; Jackson, 3; Johannah, almost 2.

The family includes two sets of twins.

Michelle Duggar said that Joshua, Janna, Jill and Jessa were at the hospital, but that the rest of the family planned to visit their new sister later Thursday.

Michelle Duggar said she started feeling contractions Wednesday night and went to the hospital at about 5 a.m. Thursday.

"It actually went fast," she said. "I guess once I started progressing, it went within 30 minutes."

Jennifer was born via a VBAC — or vaginal birth after Caesarean, Jim Bob Duggar said.

The Duggars have been featured on several programs on cable's Discovery Health Network. The next special, the Duggar Family Album, is scheduled to air next month, Jim Bob Duggar said.

Among the "fun facts" listed on Discovery Health's Web page devoted to the Duggars: A baby has been born in every month except June; the Duggars have gone through an estimated 90,000 diapers, and Michelle, 40, has been pregnant for 126 months — or 10.5 years — of her life.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070803/ap_on_fe_st/17_kids

[ajames79 0]

whoa.

how can you afford that??

[Dr_LHA 3]

A big thumbs up for using J-names. J-names rock!

[Mary Lou 681]

She's been pregnant for 10.5 yrs of her life I cant even imagine.

Besides who in this day and age can afford 17 kids? WOW

[Traviesa 0]

They have no debt. I can't remember how but they only buy what they can pay for.

[Nessa 23]

How do they keep track of all kids? Is like having your own blood day/nightcare. I bet they have some cases of ''Home Alone" every now and then.

[Nanusia & Lukaszek 0]

She's been pregnant for 10.5 yrs of her life I cant even imagine.

Besides who in this day and age can afford 17 kids? WOW

The father is a state representative, so we are paying for it I also heard that if you have more than a certain # of kids, each one following gives you more $$$ benefits.

17 kids is crazy! And all being home schooled? I gotta give credit to the mom, cause that seems like an almost impossible task.

[Traviesa 0]

The kids are on the buddy system. The older ones look after a younger one, and the mom always has the youngest. They're also really well behaved kids, so the system works well for them.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

I saw a show on this family. If memory serves me they did forget one at a truck stop once.

[*JG* 2]

Oh my FREAKIN' God is all I can think.

Pregnant 10.5 years of her 40 year life. I don't think so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[almaty 19]

whoa..that is allot of mouths to feed..and a loot of diapers to change throughout the years

[Caladan 19]

Wow, another one. I heard they rely heavily on donations and community support, which is fine, but I think I'd feel a little better about it if they didn't seem to be doing it to set a record.

[JODO 2]

Oh my word! I wonder if they were all vaginal births? If so, I am sure she's like a saloon door by now

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

They must have some rabbit in them!

[almaty 19]

Oh my word! I wonder if they were all vaginal births? If so, I am sure she's like a saloon door by now

, the kids always ask... "Dad, where is that echo coming from?"