The Duggar Family

Josie Brooklyn Duggar, the youngest child of Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar of TLC's 19 Kids and Counting, has finally made it to the family's Arkansas home.

Her brief life has already required two hospitalizations, but "We're so happy that she's doing well," Michelle told People. "She's finally home, home, home."

Josie was born on December 10 at only 25 weeks, weighing 1 lb. 6 oz., after Michelle's life-threatening high blood pressure and emergency C-section.

Since then, Josie has battled for her life. She gained weight and was released on April 6, only to return only a few days later when her vital signs fell.

Doctors searched far and wide for a cause of her problems.

A giant family reunion awaits Josie Brooklyn Duggar.

"Her digestive issues have been linked to lactose intolerance," says Dr. Robert Arrington, co-director of the NICU at Arkansas Children's Hospital.

"We are all very happy that she is doing so well and fully expect her to continue to thrive. Today, as she's leaving, she looks like a full-term baby."

Now 7 lbs. 6 oz., Josie is at last ready to settle her into a schedule at their Little Rock rental home with her 18 siblings. Well, actually, only 17 of them.

Her oldest brother Josh, 22, lives with his wife and daughter, who's actually older than her aunt Josie. But they'll come visit for support, we would imagine.

Josie's emotional homecoming from the hospital will be featured on the premiere of 19 Kids and Counting. That's a lot of kids ... and a lot of love to share.

The 19th child of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, Josie-Brooklyn Duggar, was released from the hospital last week, only to be sent back there three days later.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar had to take her back to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock on Thursday at 3 a.m., when her vital signs began to drop.

"Dr. Arrington told us to never trust a preemie," says Duggar Family patriarch Jim Bob, quoting Josie's physician, Dr. Robert Arrington. "That is really true."

Fortifiers to increase her calorie intake and spur growth are the culprit in causing the littlest Duggar constipation after being at home for just a few days.

The constipation led to her vital signs fluctuating. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar welcomed their 19th child in December, several months premarturely.

MAKE THAT 19: Once Josie moves home for good, that is.

The stars of TLC's 19 Kids and Counting say "She's doing fine now," regarding their littlest, and "They will watch her for a few days to make sure she's safe."

Things are more or less going well for the little girl, though. She's already beaten the odds, and as of today Josie weighs in at 4 lbs., 12½ oz., says Jim Bob.

Here's hoping she recovers swiftly and fully.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are often criticized for having too many kids. But if the stars of TLC's 19 Kids and Counting didn't have such an enormous brood, a six-year-old Arkansas girl might not be alive today. Think about that!

Two of the Duggar sons, Joshua and John, are being hailed as heroes after family members said they helped save the life of a girl injured in a car crash.

A three-car pileup happened in front of Joshua Duggar's car dealership, Fort Smith, Ark., TV station KHBS reports - and it's a good thing he was there.

“I thought it was a fender bender, no big deal, happens quite often here actually," Joshua Duggar said. "Then I realized there was a little girl involved."

The airbags had been deployed and she wasn't wearing a seat belt. Joshua called 911 immediately and then brought the unconscious girl into his office.

Great job, Joshua and John ... we know you're in there somewhere!

She was not breathing, so he and brother John started CPR. Paramedics showed up and with the Duggars’ help, they were able to revive her!

“They realized there was something blocking her airway. She had been eating, and it caused the blockage of the airway,” Joshua Duggar said.

The girl, Maddye, is hospitalized in critical condition, but family members say she wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for Josh's quick thinking.

Not that he takes any credit.

“The Springdale paramedics did a phenomenal job," he said. "I was just a piece of the puzzle, a very small piece at that. I'm just grateful."

Maddye was flown to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, the same hospital where the 19th Duggar baby, Josie Brooklyn, was born.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have a lot of kids.

The newest one, born three months premature December 10, and weighing just 1 lb., 6 oz., is still in intensive care at Arkansas Children's Hospital, for now.

However, the hospital does not allow underage visitors, of which the Duggars have many, so every evening the siblings gather to watch the baby on video.

Jim Bob records videos of Josie Brooklyn on his iPhone from inside her incubator and the family feels like they're right there with the 19th Duggar child.

"Jim Bob is getting all these good video clips each day," says Michelle Duggar, who takes shifts with Jim Bob. "The other kids get the daily Josie update."

We can't wait for an updated Duggar family photo.

Oldest son Josh, 21 and his wife, Anna,  also 21, have come to Little Rock to visit with their 3-month-old daughter (a.k.a. the first Grand-Duggar), Mackynzie.

Josh and all of his younger siblings - Jana, John David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johanna, Jennifer and Jordyn-Grace – can't wait to meet their baby sister in person.

The siblings visited Josie after her birth, but the premature baby (who is still hanging in there) was soon rushed to Arkansas Children's Hospital and its ICU.

The kids are settling into a rented home in Little Rock and are exploring the city with field trips their parents organize in between their homeschooling work.

"We are still involved in our other children's lives," says Jim Bob. "I take the kids to do things that are fun and educational, like touring the USS Razorback."

Josie's first Christmas will be featured on TLC's 19 Kids and Counting Tuesday.

Michelle Duggar says she is cherishing every moment with her premature 19th child, Josie Brooklyn, who remains hospitalized at the University of Arkansas.

"Josie is doing as well as can be expected for a baby her age. We're taking each hour as it comes," says Michelle, who has been released from the hospital.

The family, who welcomed their 19th baby a week ago today, "feels blessed that God has given us to her and are cherishing every moment with her."

Josie was born on Dec. 10 weighing 1 lb., 6 oz. Michelle, who had been in the hospital recovering from a gallstone, was taken for an emergency C-section.

Her husband Jim Bob Duggar remained by her side.

The Duggar family (minus the littlest new addition).

Doctors said that the baby was born prematurely because Michelle suffered from preeclampsia, a rare condition in pregnancy that causes high blood pressure.

Jim Bob says the family is "very grateful" for the support, love and prayers they have received from around the country, and that they're staying strong.

"Our children's spiritual maturity is going to deepen so much through this, in a way that couldn't happen any other way," says the TLC reality TV star.

"This is difficult, but I know we are leaving it in God's hands."

Our thoughts are with little Josie as well!

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar of TLC's now-inaccurately-named 18 Kids and Counting, gave birth to baby #19 last night after being rushed to the emergency room.

A rep from TLC confirmed today that "Michelle Duggar, who has been in the hospital recovering from a gallstone, was taken to the OR for an emergency c-section."

No. 19 wasn't due until Spring, but at 6:27 p.m. yesterday, Michelle and Jim Bob welcomed new daughter Josie Brooklyn ... who weighed in at just 1 lb., 6 oz.

Not only is Josie the youngest of the Arkansas family's children, but she's officially younger than her own niece, Mackynzie, the first Grandduggar born in October!

MAKE THAT 19: The Duggar family just got bigger!

Sources say Michelle is resting comfortably and that the baby is "stable" in the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

"The most important thing is for Mom and baby Josie to rest," TLC's rep said. "The family is grateful for all the prayers and well wishes during their recovery."

Congratulations to the new parents and Josie's 18 siblings! Here's wishing Michelle and Josie a full, speedy recovery after a joyous but traumatic experience.

Michelle Duggar of TLC's 18 Kids and Counting (she's the one who gave birth to 18 kids with one on the way) was hospitalized, but is thankfully doing fine.

She was rushed to an Arkansas hospital after a scare regarding her pregnancy with Baby No. 19, not due until spring, but that ultimately wasn't the reason.

"This weekend, Michelle Duggar was admitted to an Arkansas hospital," says a network rep. "The pain from a gallstone was generating some contractions."

"Just to be safe, she was airlifted to a Little Rock, Ark., hospital, so in the unlikely event that she had to be delivered early, she would be close to a NICU center."

Jim Bob and wife Michelle Duggar of TLC.

"Though there were some fears that the baby was in trouble, it soon was discovered to be solely the stone causing discomfort. Michelle is resting comfortably."

The baby is fine, and has a few more months until it joins Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar and their brood of 18 kids - who have to get by without mom for a bit.

Hey, at least their folks are still together. Cough, Jon Gosselin.

"Doctors want to observe Michelle in the hospital for the next couple of days," says the rep, "The hope is that any surgery can be delayed until after she delivers."

Get well soon, Michelle!

Tragically, there are countless babies born every day to absentee or unfit parents, and without the proper support system in place to ensure a happy childhood.

Mackynzie Renee Duggar would not be one of those babies.

She's not only the first grandchild of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, of TLC's 18 Kids and Counting fame, but she already has 17 aunts and uncles!

Oh, and she'll be older than her newest aunt or uncle who's on the way, as Jim Bob and Michelle are expecting their 19th child in spring of 2010.

Mackynzie was born at the home of her parents, Joshua (the Duggars' oldest) and his wife Anna, who, according to a friend, "are both so happy."

Josh has been front and center in his wife's first pregnancy – telling her the news that she was pregnant after she was too nervous to look at her own pregnancy test, and reading and singing to his daughter even before she was born.

"I ask Anna what she needs," Josh said.

"I talk to the baby and we involve her in our conversations. When Anna and I are talking to each other, we'll say, 'So, how do you like that, Mackynzie?'"

Although Mackynzie is his first child, Josh knows all about raising babies.

He helped out with younger siblings Jana and John-David, 19; Jill, 18; Jessa, 16; Jinger, 15; Joseph, 14; Josiah, 13; Joy-Anna, 11; twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah, 10; Jason, 9; James, 8; Justin, 6; Jackson, 5; Johanna, 3; Jennifer, 2 and Jordyn-Grace, 1.

The newest Duggar's name came, you may have noticed, is a departure from the family tradition of starting them all with J. But the couple is not necessarily committing at this time to "M" being the letter to begin all their children's names.

Mackynzie Duggar's birth will be featured on TLC's 18 Kids and Counting special, cleverly titled First Grandduggar, airing Tuesday, October 13 at 9 p.m.

Talk about a refreshing break from Jon Gosselin news, right?

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, creators of 18 kids and stars of 18 Kids and Counting on TLC, i.e. the Weird People Reality Show Cannel, really are good parents.

At least according to the National Parents' Day Council, which named the Duggars its 2009 National Parents of the Year. Congrats to the Arkansas couple!

The Council assures the public that the selection was the result of the Duggars' quality parenting, not just quantity, in praising their high standards:

"Their highly organized household centers around spiritual principles and is obviously filled with huge amounts of love, grace, joy and mutual respect."

Yes, they have a reality show, but you have to give Jim Bob and Michelle credit for at least living debt free and seemingly like fairly grounded people.

Congratulations to Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar!

The Duggars picked up their accolade (and counting) at Maryland's Tontitown City Hall, with their 10 boys and 8 girls in attendance for the honor-bestowal.

Their eldest is now married and expecting a baby of his own next month, and Michelle is also pregnant with their 19th child, due early next year. Yes, 19.

Jim Bob and Michelle narrowly beat out Jon Gosselin, Octomom, Dina Lohan and Kris Kardashian. Just kidding. Those peeps weren't even nominated!

What's a typical day like for Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar, plus Joshua, Jana, John-David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johanna, Jennifer and little Jordyn-Grace?

One thing's for sure: With 18 kids and their 19th child on the way – not to mention their first grandchild coming this fall – there's always something going on with the Duggar family, stars of TLC's hit series 18 Kids and Counting.

Michelle Duggar, 42, shared their schedule in an interview:

• 7 a.m.: Everyone gets up, gets dressed and washes up for breakfast. Older children help their "buddy" – the younger child they are responsible for.
• 8 a.m.: Breakfast, followed by a "quick clean" of the house, with everyone scurrying to do their assigned chores, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar say.
• 9 a.m.: School, taught by mom, starts around the dining table. All of the children work at their own level for phonics, math, music and more.
• 12 p.m.: Lunch. Monthly budget for groceries and household items: $3,000.
• 1:30 p.m.: The youngest Duggar kids take a nap. This is also what The Hollywood Gossip interns typically do around this time. Lazy asses.

• 2 p.m.: The older children reconvene for more school. Boo.
• 4 p.m.: More studies for the older children and free time.
• 5 p.m.: Dinner, another "quick clean," and more free time.
• 8 p.m.: Snack time (woo) then group Bible study. The family also goes around the room to talk about what is going on in each child's life.
• 8:30 p.m.: Bedtimes begin.

Sounds like a nice day. It's a stark contrast with the daily routine of Jon Gosselin, who spends his time traveling the world, boozing at clubs, hitting on mediocre girls and giving contradictory interviews to celebrity gossip magazines.