We’re not crying, okay?
YOU’RE the ones who are crying.
Okay, fine, perhaps we can all just admit to the production of many tears, considering the amazing news that has now been confirmed about Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson:
They are first-time parents!
“After a long and difficult labor, our girl arrived,” the famous couple revealed to Us Weekly on Monday afternoon.
They added in this special exclusive:
“When we finally got to see and hold our precious Bella Milagro all the pain instantly went away.
“We can’t believe she is ours – she is so perfect!”
“She definitely has lived up to her name which means, ‘beautiful miracle.’ Today we are basking in God’s goodness!”
In a subsequent Instagram post, Lauren and Josiah announced the news themselves, informing followers of their newborn’s full name, along with her date and time of birth:
Look who’s here! Bella Milagro Duggar was born November 8th, 2019 at 4:24 pm, weighing 6lbs 5oz and 18.5 inches long. Our hearts are so full!
We are so thankful for God blessings us with such a healthy baby girl!
Oh, and they included this photo!
Yup. She’s perfect.
The little one came into this world at 6 pounds and 5 ounces, measuring 18.5 inches in length.
Her arrivial would be a miracle and a blessing under any circumstance, of course.
But the Counting On stars suffered a tragic miscarriage late last year.
“A couple months ago, we found out that we were expecting, but suddenly thereafter, we lost our baby,” Lauren said in a clip posted by TLC in February 2019.
Said Josh in this same piece of heartbreaking footage:
“It really was a hard time for our family going through this right after we got married. And all the dreams of getting to see our little one and hold it in our hands dashed before our eyes.”
The pair said they to tell their story because “nobody really talks about it,” Lauren explained. “We just wanted to let y’all know that you’re not alone.”
Simply devastating.
In May, though, the reality stars took fans by tremendous surprise when they announced Lauren was pregnant for the second time.
“We are so excited to announce that baby No. 2 is on the way!!!!” they shared on Instagram, adding at the time:
“It’s hard to fully express just how grateful we are for God blessing us again with another precious gift!
“So, as we rejoice of the life of our second sweet baby, we also remember our other sweet baby, Asa, in heaven.”
“God is so incredibly good!”
As recently as October 10, Josiah and Lauren were still paying tribute to the child they lost and to all the other children that have been lost in this heartbreaking manner.
“Sending love this month to any parent who has lost a baby,” they wrote on Instagram, continuing as follows:
“Losing a little life at any stage is heartbreaking and devastating and should not go unnoticed.”
“For all you mamas, yes, even you mamas who’s arms have never had the chance to hold your babies-you’re a Mama! Remember, that you are loved.
“You are a warrior. You are not alone. You are not forgotten.”
The TLC personalities, who got married in July of 2018, aren’t the only Duggars to have welcomed a baby girl this year.
Try to follow along here, but…
Jessa Seewald (née Duggar) gave birth to her and Ben Seewald’s first daughter, Ivy, in May.
This event was followed by Kendra Duggar‘s baby girl on November 2.
And then, in literal related news, Abbie Duggar (née Burnett) and Anna Duggar (née Keller) are both currently pregnant with girls.
“It’s definitely brought us closer, just to share the same feelings,” Lauren told Us Weekly back in October of sharing this experience – harrowing as it was – with her sisters-in-law.
She added:
“[There’s] sympathy. You have that pregnancy brain where you forget things, so [we] remind each other, ‘Oh, yeah, I need to do this before my baby comes.’ … It’s very special.
CONGRATS TO THE BRAND NEW PARENTS AND THEIR ENTIRE EXTENDED FAMILY ON THIS AMAZING DAY!