VIDEO: Preemie Josie Duggar Growing Every Day; Parents "Thankful"
March 3 2010, Published 3:57 p.m. ET
The newest episode of 19 Kids and Counting on TLC began in the hospital with the littlest baby Josie doing much better as the nurse explains her progress, and Breaking Celebrity News has the latest on her struggle. She said that Josie was growing every day and they were trying to help her gain weight. The nurse updated viewers about Josie’s progress saying she had “increased her food amount to get some meat on her bones.”
The father of the family, Jim Bob Duggar, lamented about having their youngest daughter in the hospital. "We can’t touch Josie or stimulate her, that’s the way it is with preemies." But despite her status, he had good news about her progress. “She has doubled her size in the last couple of weeks. That’s the best she’s ever looked. She is 39 days old. She is feeding with breast milk."
VIDEO: The Duggars Donate Blood For Josie And She Gets A Feeding Tube
He admitted that she has had a few set backs, "her bowel perforated but it healed," and she is gaining strength every day.
“She’s off the ventilator now,” dad Jim Bob said. “We have the ability to touch her and touch her foot but we look forward to the day we can actually hold her in our arms.”
Michelle and Jim Bob cooed over their daughter and Jim Bob said to Michelle, “This is the best she’s ever looked Mama. She weighs about 2 pounds now and is doing excellent so we’re thankful.”
Michelle touchingly whispered sweet nothings to her daughter. “It’s my little baby, I love you.”
The Duggar's have moved three hours away from their home in Tontitown, AR to Little Rock to be near their daughter Josie while she is in the hospital. Their older sons have stayed at home and are taking care of their home and their properties but their father is confident that they oldest boys can handle the responsibilities.
VIDEO: The Duggars Welcome First Grandchild Into The Family
Dad Jim Bob said “John is staying back to work on projects and help Josh at the car lot whenever he needs him. It’s been great for them to take care of things.”
However, Joseph said “It’s been really weird.”
Jim Bob had confidence in his sons. “John and Joseph will go to our house to fix the leak.”
VIDEO RECAP: The Duggar Family’s Emotional Birth Of Baby Number 19
The next part of the episode shows the the boys helping make dinner!
A fun fact about the Duggars – they all love pickles! “They’re sour and juicy,” say the kids. A pop-up read “Pickles are the Duggars favorite food. They eat 150 jars of them a year.”
While their preemie sister Josie is in the hospital the younger Duggar children are managing the house, which they are all prepared to do, and in fact embrace their responsibility.
VIDEO RECAP: The Duggar’s Son Josh And Wife Annie Visit Florida With New Baby
“Our parents are at the hospital a lot... so we’re just trying to hold down the fort,” said one of their children.
Daughter Joy Anne joked about how much help the little children could actually provide. “Sometimes the little kids are a big help in the kitchen and sometimes they ain’t.”
Little James was shown earnestly trying to peel a potato, but as much as he peeled, he accidentally put just as much potato in the trash. Justin deadpanned the camera adding, "He was a really good help."
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Sister Jessa admitted “They’re help,” and little Jason wanted everyone to know what he does well for the family. Jason told the camera: “All I can do good is pick pickles.”
The Duggars have defined roles for the girls and boys in their family, but the children accept these responsibilities. Jill said “I think it‘s good to be able to learn these skills, being a homemaker, to learn them before I have my own family. It’s a joy and it is really neat.”
Her sister Jinger agreed with her. “As long as the kids have good intentions when they’re helping us it’s all good.” And she cutely rolled her eyes. The boys were definitely more than the sisters had bargained for and they admonished them, saying: “Don’t be acting silly guys.” The next scene in 19 Kids and Counting showed the properties at home that the Duggars run in dire straits.
Jim Bob Duggard said “Over the years Michelle and I have invested in commercial property, it’s what kept us afloat. We have a little bit of residential property.” The problem he sees with owning homes is “you have to make repairs and you have to make emergency repairs.”