Michelle Duggar’s Message to ‘Baby Number 21′
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Michelle Duggar with her husband Jim Bob. (Kris Connor/WireImage)
Michelle Duggar wants her stillborn baby, Jubilee, to know ”you were not loved any less because you were baby number 21.”
Duggar shares her message of love for the “precious baby girl” she miscarried earlier this month in an “audio letter” posted on the Duggar family website. When asked how many children she has, ”the answer will be 21. Nineteen here, and two in Heaven,” she says in the message.
Duggar’s second pregnancy also resulted in a miscarriage.
The Duggars, stars of the TLC show “19 Kids and Counting,” have been criticized for having so many children, especially after their youngest daughter, Josie, was born severely premature. Michelle Duggar says in the message that “We do not believe that babies are a bother, a headache or a financial-drainer or a career-interrupter,” she says. “We love babies.”
She says Jubilee was loved and wanted by the whole family, and lists all the things she will miss, including “watching you grow up and learn” and “doing mommy things with you and for you.”
The message is posted with the headline “Jubilee Shalom Duggar — December 11th, 2011. You Are Loved and Missed!” and a still photo of Michelle holding Jubilee’s tiny hand.
That image is among the photos of stillborn baby Jubilee that was handed out at her memorial service and released to the public. A representative for the family said at the time that the photos, taken by the nonprofit Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, were intended for the family’s private use.
In her message, Duggar says the name Jubilee Shalom means “joyful celebration of peace” and that the baby will serve as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of family.
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I think this woman has some sort of addiction to being pregnant.
Posted by: Christine | December 28, 2011, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
There is something wrong with those 2. How do you pay for education for 20 children? I can’t even imagine clothing and feeding them. And there is no way that each kid can get love and nurturing from those parents when competing with 19 others.
Posted by: inverse137 | December 28, 2011, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
If all else fails, there is always welfare. What’s wrong with using resources meant to be for all the others as long as you get a tv show? Using the mantra that ‘god’ will provide for and that it is this wish that they have 40 kids is as much a lie too. Not everyone is right in their heads.
Posted by: karuna | December 28, 2011, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
LOL—You people crack me up how can they afford this and that well it’s none of your business what they can afford just like it’s none of your business if any family can afford to have a child. It’s none of your business if people are on welfare, and just like you paying for that, some people with no kids are paying to send your child to public school etc… so big deal..we all pay for things we don’t like so get over it you big whinners.
Posted by: jacksays | December 28, 2011, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
What is wrong with her, she has enough kids, she is to old, stop putting the unborn in danger!! Just stop!
Posted by: nicole | December 28, 2011, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm
…not a celebrity. This weird couple’s 15 minutes are way past being ‘up’.
Posted by: Felipe | December 28, 2011, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
Still milking it and in the same breath will scream for privacy. Someone please tell this circus family their 15 minutes was up 18 kids ago.
Posted by: jstate83 | December 28, 2011, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
I “love babies” too. Why I stopped having them after my second was born when I was 33. Not only did I want to be able to devote myself to parenting her and her brother, but I wasn’t willing to accept the risks of a later-in-life pregnancy on behalf of another child (or myself, ftm).
God gave us BRAINS…these people “credit” God with “giving” them all these children, but as someone who practiced fertility awareness for 23 yrs and conceived only TWO children despite a very active sex life with my husband, I know they MUST be actively TRYING to get pregnant, not just “leaving it up to God”. Not only does a woman’s fertility decline dramatically after 30, there are ONLY a MAX of 5 days a month when conception is even possible, birth control or not. Producing virtually back-to-back pregnancies at their age (or even younger) purely by chance is extremely unlikely.
They are now risking the life and/or health of every child they conceive. I don’t consider that an especially loving or responsible act.
Posted by: Raven | December 28, 2011, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. Is there nothing they’re not willing to package and sell for publicity?
Posted by: whatever | December 28, 2011, 7:08 pm 7:08 pm
She needs to give both her womb and her mouth a rest.
Posted by: Ted TampaBay | December 28, 2011, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm
Who is this doctor that she keeps going to for all of these pregnancies?? He needs to have a serious talk with these crazy people and tell her that she is putting herself in danger with this constant need to have more children. Someone needs to look into this doctor-this whole situation is out of control.
Posted by: sammy | December 28, 2011, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
I feel like the other baby was a warning. Gods red flag for “hey stop” they got very lucky for their last baby making it even though being born so early. Now they have a heart ache they shouldn’t have if they would’ve used their sense and understood that warning. It’s just sad all the way around
Posted by: faeriebaby123 | December 28, 2011, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
Folks who made you God! Instead of praying they will get some sense pray that you will get some humility , kindness and grace.
Posted by: Jky54 | December 28, 2011, 11:21 pm 11:21 pm
It kinda isn’t worth the breath to say it (or the effort to type it), but this woman is a lie…a total lie. She miscarried after baby number one and all these years blamed it on the fact that they used birth control. She NEVER, NEVER, NEVER counted that miscarried baby in her baby head count until this latest miscarriage — Jubilee — and people started asking why she didn’t count the other miscarriage if she is counting this one. In other words, she has conceived 21 children — their latest show is 19 kids and counting and you can find it all over the place where this latest one would be 20 and Counting. SHE CHANGED THE VIDEO, people, after public outcry. The ORIGINAL video for Jubilee said “I have 20 children…..” This woman is addicted to pregnancy and would pop out mutants when she is 60 if “God” allows her to.
Posted by: Elizabeth | December 29, 2011, 12:46 am 12:46 am
You people are the reason that the world is going to hell in a hand basket.How dare you judge them. You will be judged as you have judged, their taxes pay for your kids schooling and they work hard to pay for and take care of their children.It is sad that you bring this kind of judgement on your own selves,
Posted by: Thinne | December 29, 2011, 1:22 am 1:22 am
Michelle and her husband may not believe in birth control which is fine but is it a smart idea to keep having babies after babies. What happens when her older daughters or sons get married and or leave the nest for college? Who will help the younger children if Michelle gets really really ill and cannot take care of herself or any one. Homeschooling works when you know what your doing which Michelle and her husband have done. Their children are well educated in a number of areas but are also lacking in other areas. Does anyone no if their children ever buddy up with a student from public school and help with learning?
Posted by: MRW | December 29, 2011, 2:30 am 2:30 am
I think this woman is disgusting. She is like the Kim Kardashian of fertility. She uses children as a vehicle to draw attention to herself, rather than a opportunity to give them attention.
Posted by: Mrs. Betty Bowers | December 29, 2011, 3:27 am 3:27 am
If they love babies so much, then why not take care of children who are in foster care or orphanages? Please stop reproducing!
Posted by: julie | December 29, 2011, 11:05 am 11:05 am
Julie, why would they risk bringing outside kids into their carefully cultivated “cult” situation? There is no way they would ever let their kids be around children with other ideas and beliefs than the ones their parents force them to follow. And I agree, it’s not “Gods Will” they are having all those children…..it is them choosing to have sex in order to get pregnant. I firmly believe they will keep having babies as long as it keeps them in the headlines.
Posted by: Traci510 | December 29, 2011, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm
Ironic how they decided to stop using birth control after the first miscarriage but will not stop having more and more and more and more babies now. God never said that we were to have dozens of children. Seriously. With so many in Foster Care until they age out, it is beyond reason that we have think of this couple as celebrities. Their hypocrisy is nauseating.
Posted by: Kate | December 29, 2011, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
I have always been concerned for the mental health and well being of her children…the older ones left to raise the younger, no “quality time” for each child with each parent, no chance to REALLY connect at all with their parents, not with 19 other children around vying to do the same, PLUS now they have to do it in front of the WORLD!!!…What a mental strain that must be for them – to portray themselves always as the “perfect” family!! Moreover, Michelle’s and Jim Bob’s decision to make public the photo’s of the fetus they named Jubilee and the message to her, do nothing but reek of grabbing publicity for something that should have remained family oriented, and precious to them. If Michelle had wanted to make a statement to the press regarding the situation that would have sufficed. Now, I seriously call into question Michelle and Jim Bob’s parenting. I wonder what a psychiatrist would think?
Posted by: Aisling | December 29, 2011, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
I heard Michelle say recently that children are “rewards” from God. Well, my husband and I were married for 8 years before I was “rewarded” with a child, conceived through ivf. What really bothers me about this family (and other religious fanatics) is how they think God is the reason for their enormous family because he has “blessed” them with so many. What about me? Does God not love me as much because he did not bless me so easily or even naturally? It just doesn’t make sense and I don’t think God works that way. Yes, I believe God is the creator of life but doesn’t our ability to make decisions count for anything? They choose to have sex all the time and are just very fertile people. I chose to use the expertise of doctors to help me. We’re not just puppets on a marinet. If we were, what’s the point?
Posted by: Jillian | December 29, 2011, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
I am so sorry for their loss. I lost a baby too and can deeply understand her. Her message is just precious and exactly says what we feel. It was wonderful she shared it with us. God bless them.
Posted by: Mari | December 30, 2011, 11:22 am 11:22 am
While I am sorry for their loss, enough is enough. The last two were by invitro after multiple attempts to naturally conceive. It is no longer Gods gift, after having so many already, and making it their own will to have more after failing to conceive…. the loss of two should open their eyes and be thankful for the many they have now…
Posted by: kate7 | December 30, 2011, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm
I am sorry for there loss, but give me a break how can you afford and spend time with 19 children and 2 grandchildren. They make the oldest children take care of there siblings, they are not there parents. Mabye they do not need all of there children.
Posted by: Liza | December 31, 2011, 12:03 am 12:03 am
While I definitely don’t agree with them having so many kids, it’s still really sad that she lost the baby, and my heart breaks for her. I really hope they stop now. I don’t trust that husband of hers to give up using her like a prized breeder to keep the reality-show money rolling in. The next time, they might lose the mom too. He needs to stop putting his own needs first, if they’re not going to use birth control.
Posted by: GGail | December 31, 2011, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
Idiocracy, here we come!
Posted by: Freon | January 1, 2012, 4:04 am 4:04 am
I think this couple has a serious psychological problem. There is something very unhealthy about their reproductive behavior.
Posted by: abby | January 1, 2012, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
I’m not certain how I feel about a woman becoming pregnant 21 X’s because of his/her religious
beliefs or his/her belief in continuous procreation. Parents with too many children cannot give
individual attentions to their children.
I label them selfish……….
Posted by: Alexandra | January 2, 2012, 12:24 am 12:24 am
I agree with all of you, I do believe life is valuable and precious, my heart hurts for the babies who deserved life, but my heart does not hurt for their innability to think for one second of the dangers of what they are doing. Yes God wants us to multiply, but he also gave us a brain to know when it is time to stop. He gives is freewill to do what is right and also what is wrong, they cannot keep putting the weight on the Lord, for all this has happened because of their own choices. God gave them the freedom to chose and they should have stopped after having such a traumatic last pregnancy, but they didn’t and now they cannot keep saying that’s what God wanted, because God’s will is for us to live not die. I am no one to judge I make my own mistakes, but God gave us freedom to chose and at this point their is no excuse they must stop for the sake of the unborn and even the mother’s own life. The Lord said to bring him a live sacrifice not a dead one. Lord please I pray you help them make the right decisions.
Posted by: Maribel | January 2, 2012, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
i think its sad and almost hilarous how the enemy is so mad that michelle is so blessed of the LORD. I am sad for the loss of the child, but honest CANT believe how wicked everyone is to care so much whether or not a child is born u should really be ashamed i mean they have a loving family what about all the kids born under adverse circumstances i suppose kill them too huh? WOW, the devil is a liar. Children are a gift from the LORD….go MICHELLE…:)
Posted by: afi | January 2, 2012, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm
Alot of people on here just pay attention to the number of children, and just the number. Each of these children have a heart, a mind, a smile, and a soul. You people on here seem to forget that. If you have children, even if just one, try and picture your life without seeing that first smile. If you have more than one, which would you choose over the other if you had to choose only one. Its a woman’s right to choose. why is that only ok for when a woman’s choice is to abort?
Posted by: glass | January 3, 2012, 2:47 am 2:47 am
this is NOT a stillborn baby. it’s a miscarried baby. a STILLBORN is a baby carried to full term and born dead. this was a miscarriage. BIG DIFFERENCE
Posted by: AYPORDIOS | January 4, 2012, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm
I think I am just sick of hearing about this womans’ uterus. It’s fine to love children but after 21 kids it has to be like throwing a hot dog down a long hallway. And when and where do they find the time for romp sessions?
Posted by: Jade B | January 6, 2012, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm
they sure know how to milk the story.listen to her talk to the baby.that was so rehearse it was scarry. look at the pics? she never has a kid to carry nor do the older kids those young boys have to push the strollers and watch the little ones while the parents who love the lime light walk in front.SORRY but I lost 4 babies and I sure the heck would not let those young ones walk behind me in the big cities or any where else.what happens when the oldest leave home? one day mommy dearest will have to do her own laundry and cleaning,,,,,,,oh ya forgot the dr, warned her about haveing more babies so she wont be around ….very lazy women that one.
Posted by: Edith | January 7, 2012, 9:57 am 9:57 am
Maybe someone should tell these people what causes babies! This is a perfect example of why sex education and birth control should be available to everyone.
Posted by: Polly Moses | January 9, 2012, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm
Omg people! While I myself will have no more than 3 kids and wouldn’t want more anyway. How about y’all leave them alone instead of bashing them on there beliefs and personal choices. And if anyone would bother on looking up info on the family you would see that with Jim bobs job he is more than capable of providing for his family! I mean those children are better off and probably happier than a good bit of the children in the Usa. They aren’t neglected or starving, they have what they need! I think Michell’s and Jim Bob are better parents than most of us will ever be. They don’t have any grandchildren out of wedlock, there kids arent in trouble with the law, or doing druga… and with that many children that says they are doing something right! Better then most of us!
Posted by: michelle | January 10, 2012, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
These people make me sick. Having another baby for the other babies to babysit, because they most certainly don’t do it. Should be against the law.
Posted by: glenda | January 10, 2012, 6:59 pm 6:59 pm
The lady in an above comment is right when she says does god love her less as she had to have ivf to have a longed for child, I can’t have children does that mean that god doesn’t love me at all??
Posted by: Deborah | January 12, 2012, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm
as long as they can provide for their children then oh well. there are ppl that have had 1 child cant take care of the and still have more. ppl miscarry weather they have 1 2 or 10 children i can happen. i dont see what the problem is yes they took a pic of the child miscarried. ppl take pics a funerals. why i dont know but look if you dont like them dont watch them. you dont have to like their choices, i dont think they were asking us to.
Posted by: trina | January 12, 2012, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm
I just do not understand all this judgmental behaviour against couples having many kids…
What’s wrong with them? is it ur problem?
I admire large families, i mean…it’s bad seeing many people looking at babies as “new troubles” instead of looking at them as a blessing or at least as something amazing which will change life forever.
Large family, like this one, just show us how we should see babies: as a fantastic thing, not as a new trouble.
Maybe it’s not USA problem, bute here in Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece etc… women have only 1,4 kids each woman and this is a big deal as population is getting older and older…and if they don’t find a solution like in Usa, scandinavia and France..it will be a big trouble (this is the real trouble…) later in time.
As a private Sperm Donor, i helps couples in building a families and i see every month how babies are a blessing…especially for those who want them since years and still not have.
Posted by: Søren | January 22, 2012, 10:05 am 10:05 am
This woman has done a wonderful job of staying in a “delicate” situation.
As long as she’s pregnant the attention is on her, while the older girls must take care of the younger children and keeping up the household. If you notice in the show, she and Jim Bob delegate all of the chores to the children. She does very little herself, other than get pregnant, breast feed, and delegate. Wonder what she will do when she can no longer get pregnant, and has no excuse for not doing a few of the chores herself?
Posted by: pataya | January 29, 2012, 11:12 am 11:12 am
Dumb pple obviously do not know anything…they support THEMSELVES and were already having about fifteen kids before reality shows were even invented. If u watch u will see how happy they are and how respectful and well behaved the kids are!
Posted by: ashley | February 4, 2012, 12:21 am 12:21 am
you know, if these people want to forego birth control and continue to have children, why not? our children could probably learn something from watching how this family works together as a team in order to take care of things instead of “it’s all about me”, as so many of our teenagers are accustomed to. also, if you don’t like this show, turn on some smut that fills our television screens. maybe that will satisfy you.
Posted by: bob ray | February 15, 2012, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm