Jessa Duggar Seewald gave birth to her second son on Feb. 6 and family, friends and fans of "Counting On" rejoice in her safe delivery. But it begs some questions: is dad Ben Seewald ready at 21 for two kids? He wasn't sure about that a few months ago. If he's not, he'd better get ready because Duggar comes from "19 Kids and Counting" and proclaims herself ready to compete in the family's baby race.
The couple also expects that their toddler Spurgeon Seewald will step up to the plate as older brother, at the tender age of 15 months.
Ben and Jessa Seewald welcome new addition
The boy was born at 4:26 a.m. on Monday morning, weighing 8 lbs. and 11 oz.. He measured 21 3/4 in. long. The Seewald Family blog says "Mom and baby are both doing well." Jessa Seewald evidently had a home birth again. There aren't many details yet, but presumably this baby (whose name has not been released) came into the world a little easier than his brother did. The Duggar daughter said she had a day and a half of contractions and 10 hours of labor with Spurgeon.
It was so intense that she almost gave up on the unmedicated home birth and went to the hospital. This predisposed her for another risky pregnancy, like Beyonce who is pregnant with twins at 35 and Janet Jackson who gave birth at 50.
Ben Seewald up for parenting two children?
Is the 21-year-old prepared for all this? A few months ago, Ben said that he wasn't sure that he and his wife could handle a second child. Was that just humility talking or is he honestly doubting parenthood? It could be the pace at which it's all happening. The reality television dad of two begain courting Jessa Duggar when he was 17 and she was 20. They were married after a year of courtship, got pregnant almost immediately, and gave birth to the first child on their first anniversary.
The second child is here a few months after their second anniversary and Ben is just 21. Will they keep up this quiverfull trajectory?
Jessa Seewald gives little man big job
Just a few months past his first birthday and already Spurgeon Seewald is the elder brother. Mom and dad have placed some expectations on the toddler. They hope he will fill his role as the oldest child. Given the child probably isn't even potty trained or weaned, that's a tall work order. Jessa's parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have always placed a great deal of responsibility on their elder children. Yet on the other hand, Jim Bob Duggar also makes a lot of decisions for his adult daughters. Their rules are almost as strict as their juvenile siblings whom they care for. At least one Duggar family member may be breaking away -- Anna Duggar -- as the wife of Josh Duggar may be getting a divorce.