The Duggars excited over baby 19

In news that makes Nadya Suleman look like a fumbling novice, a couple in Arkansas are now expecting their 19th child.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar from Tonitown, Arkansas have 18 children already, with their first grandchild now in production. And the couple just learned their nineteenth child is due in the spring. “We are so thrilled,” says Michelle, 42. “We just couldn’t believe it is happening.” Jim, 44, agrees, “This never gets old. We are so grateful for each child. We are looking forward to our first grand-baby and our 19th child.”

In a curious twist, the fertile family’s oldest son, Joshua and his wife Anna, both 21, are expecting a daughter next month, who will therefore be older than her own aunt or uncle. “I think it’s going to be awesome,” Josh tells People. “We have been looking forward to the arrival of our little girl, and to celebrate for my parents is a wonderful thing.”

It should surprise almost no-one that this multiple mommy has a TLC show, ’18 Kids and Counting’ airs Tuesday nights and features the Duggars and their blossoming brood, all of whom have names capped with ‘J’ — Other than Josh, we have twins 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, 8 months.

…I hope you’re paying attention — there will be a quiz.

And despite having eighteen reasons to notice the signs, Michelle says this pregnancy came as a shock. “I was on Weight Watchers and I wasn’t losing any weight,” she says. “I couldn’t figure it out. I was doing what I should.  I’m not cheating on my diet, I should be losing weight.’

Michelle decided to take a home-test to be sure, and a few seconds later her problem was solved. “I told Jim Bob  and he couldn’t keep it in. He was so excited,” she recalls. “The kids were outside and we had to share the news. There was all this screaming and yelling.”

From her late 30′s, a woman faces higher health risks from having children, but Michelle remains unconcerned, “We know what could happen,” she says. “We read through the information, but we don’t do the testing.” And her Doctor confirmed she’s in excellent health, “Some women were made to have babies, and Michelle certainly is,” Ob-Gyn, Amy Sarver told the reporters. “She is in terrific health, without any strain on her organs.”

Apart from morning sickness, puffy ankles and mood swings, Michelle and her hubby now face a much bigger challenge — They need a new name that starts with a ‘J.’ Michelle will know the baby’s sex in another two months, and daughter Jessa, 16, has already printed a list, “Once we find out whether it’s a girl or a boy, that will narrow the list down some.” says Jim.

Yes, and so would twin beds.