Michelle Duggar Said ‘Miracle’ Child Josie Duggar Is Now a ‘Ball of Energy’ at 11 Years Old
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are well-known for having 19 children. And their 19th child, Josie Duggar, is growing up fast, as she recently turned 11 years old.
Bringing Josie into the world wasn’t easy, though. She was born prematurely, and Jim Bob and Michelle prayed countless hours asking God to ensure their baby girl would be OK. Now, Michelle is reflecting on Josie’s birth in an Instagram post. Here’s what she said about her daughter.
Josie Duggar was born 3 months prematurely
Josie is known as the “miracle” Duggar baby. People notes the little girl was born on Dec. 10, 2010, and she was three months premature at 25 weeks old. Josie was just over 1 pound at birth — and the complications didn’t end there. She had a perforated bowel at just 8 days old as well.
Thankfully, Dr. Robert Arrington, co-director of the neonatal intensive care unit, was able to help baby Josie. “Dr. Arrington knows how to think outside the box and come up with different creative solutions,” Jim Bob told the publication. “Josie is walking a daily tightrope to keep her vitals stable and the nurses and the whole team here has been wonderful.”
As for how Michelle and Jim Bob were getting through the difficult time, they noted God was helping them through, as were the “prayers of people around the world.” And ultimately, their hope paid off. Josie is a happy and healthy little girl despite the troubling circumstances surrounding her birth.
Michelle Duggar talked about how Josie’s a ‘ball of energy’
The Duggar Family Instagram highlights every Duggar when it’s their birthday — and in December, it was Josie’s turn. Michelle Duggar appeared to post a photo of her and her daughter to talk about how special she is. And she highlighted Josie’s vivacious energy on the post.
“Happy 11th birthday, Josie!” Michelle wrote on Instagram. “Josie was born prematurely at 25 weeks weighing just 1 lb., 6oz. at birth. We prayed (along with thousands of others!) that God would spare her life and gift her strength and energy to live and thrive. God has certainly answered those prayers!!”
Michelle then went on to talk about Josie is restless and always running around the huge family home. “Josie is a ball of energy,” she continued. “From the time she wakes up in the morning until her head hits the pillow at night, she rarely slows down! We love her so much and thank God for these 11 years with her. We know He has great things in store for her life in the future!”
Duggar family critics think the Duggar Family Instagram put way more thought into Josie’s birthday post
The Duggar Family Instagram does their best to write a little something about each Duggar’s birthday. But family critics think they paid extra special attention to Josie this year. Some Counting On critics suspect Jim Bob and Michelle dote on Josie more than the other kids because she’s the youngest and because her life hung in the balance when she was a baby.
“This is the most affection I’ve seen [Michelle] show any of them,” a Reddit user commented. “Also it actually describes Josie’s personality, not just some random dart board thoughts.”
“Their embrace is the most genuine I’ve seen Duggar-wise,” another wrote regarding the Instagram photo. “Probably because Josie is the only kid to have a legitimate relationship with Michelle.”
Others think Josie will forever be remembered for being the premature baby in the family because of how often Michelle and Jim Bob bring it up.
“It only describes one thing about her personality, though: that she’s energetic,” another wrote. “We mostly just get a regurgitation of her birth story. It really doesn’t seem very personal to me, which is sad considering the other kids get even less.”
All in all, we’re hoping Josie had a wonderful 11th birthday, and we’re looking forward to hearing more about her in future seasons of Counting On.
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