So sad for the Dillards. When you lose a baby at that stage - whatever word you use for the loss - you have so little to prove they ever existed. You get so little time with them. I can't judge anyone for taking pictures, nor for sharing them if that's what they want to do. That was the only time in the world Jill and Derick got to hold their little girl, and obviously it is devastatingly sad but when you are in that position it is also so incredibly precious and full of awe - even joy, in a way. It's an honour to get that time with a baby you would have loved to carry for longer, and it's natural to want to share that pride.

It is so hard to tell the world you are a parent to a child who isn't here. These are the photos that make that real, in a way. It's the only moment with their daughter they'll ever get to share.

Semantics-wise, whether or not Jill technically cleared the 20-week mark that would magically designate Isla stillborn not miscarried, she laboured to deliver a clearly recognisable human infant. Her body changed carrying this baby and she may even have started to feel her move. It's a different experience to a first trimester mc (which can also be truly awful). It was probably not unlike her other births, just to a much smaller baby they knew wouldn't come home with them. And that's a horrendous thing to go through.

9 minutes ago, SassyPants said:

Wait are we talking about that quilted coat? Was that coat $600? I thought AH rarely shopped for clothing outside of Goodwill?

It appears to be from Potter's Daughter.  At least, that's a site that Abbie mentioned.  The person who runs it seems to repurpose old quilts into coats and jackets.  I think it's a nice, artsy idea but it would make more sense if Abbie made it herself or commissioned someone to reuse one of her old quilts.  The coats are around $600 and above.  It's right up Braggie's alley though.  She ends up with a one-of-a-kind item that's super-special and expensive.  She thinks that she's great at interior decorating and has a keen sense of style.

17 hours ago, Ozlsn said:

Some I think are true believers that have found the One Weird Trick, and believe passionately that They are withholding knowledge from you for nefarious purposes.

This is the part I don't get. Who do they think this mysterious "they" are? Deep state? The government? Lizard people? Illuminati? Pharmaceutical companies? Some combo of those?

But the biggest thing to me is why do they think "they" would withhold information on potentially lifesaving treatments? I've heard people say it's because of profits, but if there was a genuinely effective treatment "they" would snap that up, market it, and profit off of it in a heartbeat if money was the issue. 

The government would benefit from a treatment that keeps people healthy and in the workforce paying taxes. Pharmaceutical companies would benefit from packaging, marketing, and selling the treatment. Doctors and hospitals would be happy to get people cured and out of their already overloaded system. 

Dead people don't buy things or pay taxes. There's no benefit for "them" to let people die. 

And if it was some big deep state government secret or something, it wouldn't be something you could find on Facebook or Youtube. 

None of this conspiracy theory mess stands up to any real scrutiny.

Even if Braggie did thrift all her clothing, she still spends a ton. Because her closet is the size of a bedroom and it’s full of clothing. 

24 minutes ago, Baxter said:

I spend way more on my kids than myself. I'm sure many parents do that too because kids keep growing and needing new stuff. I rarely but myself new clothes. But I'm not growing so that's fine. Every time I think I should be good for a while and not need to get anything else for the kids, one of them grows. Activities cost money. But that's ok. I love seeing my kids develop their interests. 

Now that being said, I'm not a mommy martyr. If there's something I or my husband wants, within reason, then we will try and make it happen eventually.

Our couches are seriously worn out, like there is a giant hole on part of it with a bunch of foam coming out. We spent a long time looking for the right couches and finally ordered them a few weeks ago. I'm so happy about that. My kids would rather keep the falling apart couches.

We are also getting a puppy in a few weeks. Our old dog died last August. I have a big birthday coming up and I told my husband that all I wanted was the springer spaniel puppy. My daughter is very excited about getting a new dog but we wouldn't be getting one if I hadn't felt it was the right time. 

Really my husband's and my life revolve around giving the kids a good life even if we do some things for ourselves too. Braggie's main purpose in life isn't to give her kids a good life. They are just window dressing to serve her. 

I think Abbie presents as a rather scattered and disorganized person in general. I think the reason she has so many kids is because she’s too lazy to use BC or track her cycles. She is very self centered and prioritizes what she wants to do or have, and outsources the rest to her parents, older kids and the occasional paid helper. Since she can’t outsource BC or abstinence to anyone other than herself or Shaun (and he is as disinterested as she is), voila, lots of kids. She clearly does not like parenting or anything that takes time, energy or money away from her own wants and interests. It’s a shame really.