Jessa and Ben 49: Five and Counting

[lumpentheologie]

3 hours ago, SassyPants said:

Poor choice for a middle name as the most famous of Augustines is associated with the RC faith. Maybe they should have gone with Canterbury. 

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I think they named him after Augustine of Hippo. He’s very important for both Catholics and Protestants (Luther was very influenced by his writings), but I think especially important for the Reformed/Calvinist set since so much of their theology is based on his work. 

 

14 hours ago, Kiki03910 said:

I brushed up on St Augustine (via Wikipedia; I'm lazy). He certainly had a lot of thoughts about penises.

Yeah I mean for him one of the best parts of heaven is that there your body will always obey your will. And by that he meant mostly your dick will always do what you want 😅  His most famous quote is “Lord make me chaste, but not yet!” Also he was really into humans being totally depraved, another way he inspired the Calvinists. 

[JermajestyDuggar]

1 hour ago, Dollypolly said:

 

Who’s the other Spurgeon intrigued now 

Spurgeon Bontrager. The Bontragers love naming children after Christian heroes. Hudson, Taylor, Carson, are just a few. Spurgeon Bontrager is a mouthful. 

[GuineaPigCourtship]

Ben & Jessa's kids aren't currently able to branch out much but they probably socialize with kids in Ben's parish.  This can be a good thing because friends from different families can leave the faith, even to less rigid denominations, and inspire introspection.  "I always thought my friend was a good person, has that changed?"  Not that I think Ben and Jessa are passing on much value or even innate ability for introspection, but it's something.

[Father Son Holy Goat]

53 minutes ago, GuineaPigCourtship said:

Ben & Jessa's kids aren't currently able to branch out much but they probably socialize with kids in Ben's parish.  This can be a good thing because friends from different families can leave the faith, even to less rigid denominations, and inspire introspection.  "I always thought my friend was a good person, has that changed?"  Not that I think Ben and Jessa are passing on much value or even innate ability for introspection, but it's something.

You never know. Jim Bob and Michelle didn’t encourage critical thinking or introspection but then they got Jill. One of Ben and Jessa’s kids might spit out the kool aid. 
 

If they have to fear normal and healthy development it highlights how messed up fundamentalism is. 

Edited December 26, 2023 by Father Son Holy Goat

[PennySycamore]

I was reading thsIe Wikipedia page about A Christmas Story  the afternoon  and looked up the bio of the kid actor who played Scut Farkus.  He also played a character named Moody Spurgeon MacPherson in the Megan Fellows version of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea.

[clueliss]

The recent discussion in here of the name Spurgeon has me mildly amused. The reason I’m mildly amused is because while I know these people are naming their child after Charles Spurgeon, there’s something in my family tree thanks to amateur genealogy that was a different twist on that last name. Because I have Spurgeons in the Family Tree. And the Elizabeth Spurgeon tree descends from a Spurgeon, who arrived in the colonies as an indentured servant, who is sent over from jail in England for theft. In the records indicate that there were something like three or so, Spurgeons that came over at the same time all is injured servants, all who had been in jail. No, I haven’t been able to trace my Spurgeon, who had been in jail beyond that point to figure out if there’s any sort of relation to the virgin, if you know what I mean. 

[Father Son Holy Goat]

1 hour ago, clueliss said:

The recent discussion in here of the name Spurgeon has me mildly amused. The reason I’m mildly amused is because while I know these people are naming their child after Charles Spurgeon, there’s something in my family tree thanks to amateur genealogy that was a different twist on that last name. Because I have Spurgeons in the Family Tree. And the Elizabeth Spurgeon tree descends from a Spurgeon, who arrived in the colonies as an indentured servant, who is sent over from jail in England for theft. In the records indicate that there were something like three or so, Spurgeons that came over at the same time all is injured servants, all who had been in jail. No, I haven’t been able to trace my Spurgeon, who had been in jail beyond that point to figure out if there’s any sort of relation to the virgin, if you know what I mean. 

Very cool family tree find!

[Kiki03910]

On 12/25/2023 at 4:46 PM, lumpentheologie said:

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I think they named him after Augustine of Hippo. He’s very important for both Catholics and Protestants (Luther was very influenced by his writings), but I think especially important for the Reformed/Calvinist set since so much of their theology is based on his work. 

 

Yeah I mean for him one of the best parts of heaven is that there your body will always obey your will. And by that he meant mostly your dick will always do what you want 😅  His most famous quote is “Lord make me chaste, but not yet!” Also he was really into humans being totally depraved, another way he inspired the Calvinists. 

It sounds like he thought of his dick much like we'd view a feral cat.

[Father Son Holy Goat]

Do we think Jessa will stop after 5? 

[Pecansforeveryone]

@Father Son Holy Goat, I don't unless there was something especially complicated or traumatic about this last birth. I could def see them stopping at 6-8.

[Pancakes@Tiffany's]

I don't see them stopping on their own volition. She'll keep going with her every two-year spacing if she can until menopause.

[JDuggs]

I think the competitive nature of Jessa would drive her to at least want to “tie” her at 7 with Anna and with Ben’s mother. She seems to enjoy motherhood, homeschooling, etc. As a family, they don’t seem to have the desire to travel or have other goals that would make them reconsider having a ton of kids.

[Giraffe]

1 minute ago, JDuggs said:

I think the competitive nature of Jessa would drive her to at least want to “tie” her at 7 with Anna and with Ben’s mother. She seems to enjoy motherhood, homeschooling, etc. As a family, they don’t seem to have the desire to travel or have other goals that would make them reconsider having a ton of kids.

I never knew "I need one more child to beat so and so" actually happened until I met a woman several years ago who outright said she only had a fourth because a particular family member had a fourth. She's since gone on to have a fifth which makes me assume the relative had a fifth as well. It was the most bizarre mommy-war I'd ever heard of!

[SassyPants]

27 minutes ago, Giraffe said:

I never knew "I need one more child to beat so and so" actually happened until I met a woman several years ago who outright said she only had a fourth because a particular family member had a fourth. She's since gone on to have a fifth which makes me assume the relative had a fifth as well. It was the most bizarre mommy-war I'd ever heard of!

My husband’s brother has 3 daughters each 4 years apart (40-36-32). #One was getting married and the next one got engaged days before the wedding. The older one got PG and had a baby weeks before the 2nd got married, and quickly had a second as well. The 3rd one got engaged, #2 got PG and had the baby months before the wedding. Sister 1 got PG with #3, followed the next month by sister #2 announcing a second baby. Sometime during Covid isolation sister 1 got a divorce. This past year sister #3 had her first baby in August and sister #2 had her 3rd in September. I swear these girls cannot allow their sisters to have 1 second of time in the spot light. All of these engagements, weddings and births happened between 2012-2023

Edited January 2 by SassyPants

[medimus]

I also think she'll continue with one every other year until her fertility runs out, so I think probably 3-5 more children. I suspect now she's had two miscarriages she'll have had some investigations and perhaps it won't happen again if they've found the issue. Her last two spacings are longer than she wanted as she has said they plan pregnancies and space. So I think she is probably actively trying for a two year gap and I can imagine that she'll either leave a shorter or longer gap now so that future babies are born in the spring or summer again rather than winter!

[Cam]

Jessa doesn’t seem to have any interests other than all that surrounds pregnancy and raising kids. So I think she’ll have more. Is it known how the miscarriage occurred before this last birth? Then how long after that did she get pregnant? It’s like she had to prove to herself she could still carry a baby to full term. But it would appear by her age that she’s still got maybe a decade of fertility left in her, and nothing better to do, so I think she gonna keep churning them out for awhile. 

Edited January 2 by Cam

[Coconut Flan]

The guidance on investigating miscarriages is usually three consecutive ones (no successful pregnancy in between) or two consecutive if there is a possibly known risk factor.  Something like 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage.  That's the downside of testing so early - you find out about miscarriages that you otherwise might not have noticed.   

[SassyPants]

9 hours ago, Cam said:

Jessa doesn’t seem to have any interests other than all that surrounds pregnancy and raising kids. So I think she’ll have more. Is it known how the miscarriage occurred before this last birth? Then how long after that did she get pregnant? It’s like she had to prove to herself she could still carry a baby to full term. But it would appear by her age that she’s still got maybe a decade of fertility left in her, and nothing better to do, so I think she gonna keep churning them out for awhile. 

The saddest and one of the most irritating aspects about this unfettered reproduction is that these folks aren’t even decent parents. JB/M and KJ/G were awful parents. Now part of the problem is a lack of time, as a fundie’s day isn’t any longer than a heathen’s day…but damn, your only goal is popping out kid after kid and the parenting part is totally ignored? 

[Giraffe]

10 minutes ago, SassyPants said:

The saddest and one of the most irritating aspects about this unfettered reproduction is that these folks aren’t even decent parents. JB/M and KJ/G were awful parents. Now part of the problem is a lack of time, as a fundie’s day isn’t any longer than a heathen’s day…but damn, your only goal is popping out kid after kid and the parenting part is totally ignored? 

I just posted a similar rant in the Karrisa thread. It's astounding how neglectful these parents of numerous supposed blessings are. It's a wonder many of these families haven't experienced a sudden death of a child from their neglect! 

[GuineaPigCourtship]

On 1/2/2024 at 10:32 AM, Coconut Flan said:

The guidance on investigating miscarriages is usually three consecutive ones (no successful pregnancy in between) or two consecutive if there is a possibly known risk factor. 

I thought this was the case so I didn't bother to contact my OB about my miscarriage several years ago.  I'd been trying unsuccessfully for just over a year when I got pregnant and they had just increased my thyroid medication when I got pregnant.  I said something at my next appointment a few months later and she said they're proactive and don't wait for 3 miscarriages anymore.  Jessa doesn't fit my history so not necessarily the case for her, but for any of us out there who just figure nobody is gonna look into it or care, looks like it actually depends on your doctor.

[Gobsmacked]

On 12/25/2023 at 3:19 AM, JermajestyDuggar said:

Oh yes it’s obvious she likes those types of names. She says Ivy Jane is named after Lady Jane Grey! I think she like plant names for girls but I bet her second favorite type of names for girls would be found in the royal family. Names like Charlotte for example. But I think if she has another girl, she will stick with the plant theme. 

I’m going with Poppy. Ivy and Fern are both found in the countryside as are poppies. 

[Coconut Flan]

26 minutes ago, GuineaPigCourtship said:

I thought this was the case so I didn't bother to contact my OB about my miscarriage several years ago.  I'd been trying unsuccessfully for just over a year when I got pregnant and they had just increased my thyroid medication when I got pregnant.  I said something at my next appointment a few months later and she said they're proactive and don't wait for 3 miscarriages anymore.  Jessa doesn't fit my history so not necessarily the case for her, but for any of us out there who just figure nobody is gonna look into it or care, looks like it actually depends on your doctor.

It also depends on the insurance.  My daughter's doctor had to give a reason to investigate after two consecutive miscarriages.  I have a couple of hereditary conditions so the doctor actually called me for a brief conversation for her documentation.  Many doctors will help to try to find a reason.  

[GuineaPigCourtship]

My insurance was probably not terrible per se at the time but it wasn't great.  I probably would have ended up paying for a lot out of pocket, but they'd have done their best to justify everything to insurance.

The worst policy I've ever had was the one my job switched to midway through my actual pregnancy.  I was lucky to be close to the third trimester because they covered NOTHING in terms of screening and prenatal care other than a few appointments, not even ultrasounds.

[Giraffe]

1 hour ago, GuineaPigCourtship said:

The worst policy I've ever had was the one my job switched to midway through my actual pregnancy.  I was lucky to be close to the third trimester because they covered NOTHING in terms of screening and prenatal care other than a few appointments, not even ultrasounds.

Tell me you live in the US without saying you live in the US. 

[WannabeHistorian]

3 hours ago, GuineaPigCourtship said:

My insurance was probably not terrible per se at the time but it wasn't great.  I probably would have ended up paying for a lot out of pocket, but they'd have done their best to justify everything to insurance.

The worst policy I've ever had was the one my job switched to midway through my actual pregnancy.  I was lucky to be close to the third trimester because they covered NOTHING in terms of screening and prenatal care other than a few appointments, not even ultrasounds.

I'm currently dealing with something similar. Just switched policies a few weeks ago. Was told it would cover things like hospitalizations/surgery/tests etc. Only to find out it doesn't cover any of that. All I get is three covered appointments per year and coverage for generic prescriptions (thank god everything I'm on is generic). 

I need to see some specialists, which would be multiple appointments each. I have to see my primary often since I'm on psych meds prescribed by them. They also want labs every three months. Instead of getting the care I need, I now have to figure out what I can go without until I can switch to something better.