Arkansas Mother Gives Birth to 16th Child
By MELISSA NELSON, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 32 minutes ago

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Michelle Duggar just delivered her 16th child, and she's already thinking about doing it again.

Johannah Faith Duggar was born at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday and weighed 7 pounds, 6.5 ounces.

The baby's father, Jim Bob Duggar, a former state representative, said Wednesday that mother and child were doing well.

He said Johannah's birth was especially exciting because it was the first time in eight years the family has had a girl.

Jim Bob Duggar, 40, said he and Michelle, 39, want more children.

"We both just love children and we consider each a blessing from the Lord. I have asked Michelle if she wants more and she said yes, if the Lord wants to give us some she will accept them," he said.

The Discovery Health Channel filmed Johannah's birth and plans to air a show about the family of 18 next May.

The Learning Channel is doing another show about the family's construction project, a 7,000-square foot house that should be finished before Christmas. The home, which the family has been building for two years, will have nine bathrooms, dormitory-style bedrooms for the girls and boys, a commercial kitchen, four washing machines and four dryers.

Jim Bob Duggar, who sells real estate, previously lost his bid for the U.S. Senate. He said he expects to run for the state Senate next year but isn't ready to make a formal announcement.

Michelle Duggar had her first child at age 21, four years after the couple married.

Their children include two sets of twins, and each child has a name beginning with the letter "J": Joshua, 17; John David, 15; Janna, 15; Jill, 14; Jessa, 12; Jinger, 11; Joseph, 10; Josiah, 9; Joy-Anna, 8; Jeremiah, 6; Jedidiah, 6; Jason, 5; James, 4; Justin, 2; and Jackson Levi, 1.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051012/ap_on_re_us/sixteen_kids

Wow! And they want more?? Well, more power to 'em! I always wanted a big family, but not THAT big!

Atleast they're gainfully employed and not asking for handouts.

WOW,
With that many kids you`d need a kennel licence.
Jim BOB, good ole southern Boy.

I'm reminded of a quote from one of our female mods awhile back. Something along the lines of "...squirting out babies..."

Yoss, after 16 babies i don't think anything squirts out. Me thinks they fall out!

Brian

Oh, man. That's a mental picture I'd like to forget.

That reminds me of the Monty Python movie The Meaning Of Life. There was a part about a family with lots of children. The mother was at the sink doing dishes and another one dropped out. She looks to one of the other kids and says, "Oh...would you pick that up for me??"

Kind of like a giraffe giving birth. Oh, that's gross!

I can't take credit for that. I heard it somewhere.


Personally, I think it's too many. I don't see how one set of parents can adequately care for that many children at one time. How can each child feel special? How can each one find attention from each parent with that many siblings? Two parents just don't have enough in them to give 16 children a stable upbringing.

Seems unnatural to me...like they're building a new colony to take over the world or something. I hope someone corks her before she drops anymore.

man that was years ago...Heather lives in your empty skull rent free

Is there an island they need to populate we could send them too? Heck I find two children too much at times---16, what do you do pretend you are in the army at dinner? Just the laundry is mind-boggling!
Reminds me of the scene in "Yours, Mine & Ours" where she is in the basement surrounded by washers & laundry...UGH>>>>
Did anyone else notice they all look like clones in the same clothing in the TV special they had??Or am I the only one who thought this was just Bizarro World...
they home school, they built their own house, they tag-team the kids, it was like a compound...eeeekkkkk---and she wants more!!!! She needs some serious medication...

I do find it strange, but as long as they are paying their own way, more power to them.

Nope, I don't think she needs meds.

We have 7 and, if you love parenting, it really does get to be the more the merrier.

It is, in my opinion, much harder to have 3 than 7. And I know this because we are a blended family to boot!

I believe that children from large families are more tolerant of others, and are way less demanding. They are raised understanding that everyone pitches in and required to contribute positively to the family.

Most people I know from large families, are fun-loving, happy people with a great sense of humor and as a general rule, are way more adjusted than one who was raised a singleton, or as half of a pair :-)

It eliminates the "me syndrome" that is so common in our kids today. Kids from large families don't get everything they ask for, and if the parents are (like this couple) able to provide what the children need, the kids learn that they are not entitled to everything they want and generally have to earn the extra stuff.

You can't have many children without good schedules and rules and keep your sanity! It takes structure, discipline, lots of love and the ability to laugh. Who could ask for anything more?

Call me crazy, but if we could have more, I would!

Myself, I stopped after 1 because I knew that being a Mom was not the job The Big Guy put me on the earth to do. If they can take care of 16, have at it.

But remember, folks, many of our relatives (grandparents, parents, and in some cases siblings) were part of huge families like that one. Of course, they were usually farmers and hoped for boys......

My dad was the second oldest of 14. (would have been 15, but one was stillborn)

I'm an only child.

I guess after helping to raise the 12 that came after him, he just didn't want to be the caregiver anymore

I'm an only child too, (so I have alter egos to deal with ), maybe that's why I find 16 children unfathomable.

Heather, maybe we were separated at birth! Virgos, onlys, hot chicks, great minds think alike...it all fits!

I'm one of three kids, my Mom is one of eight and my Dad one of five. Growing up I always said that I wanted to have four kids of my own. I currently have 2 boys who keep me going non-stop.

I know of quite a few families that have a large number of children. They're all homeschooled and the most well behaved & respectful kids I have ever met. The older kids help out with the younger and they all have certain household duties they're expected to perform.

I say that if you're up for it and your kids are properly cared for then go for it. It's definitely not something that all of us are cut out for but we shouldn't cast a downward eye on those that choose to have a larger than "normal" family.

Where have you been all my life?

Yes, larger than normal is certainly fine, but 16?! 16 is beyond larger than normal.

I still think they're trying to colonize Mars or something.