BABIESJill Duggar & Husband Derick Dillard Expecting Another Baby Following Heartbreaking Miscarriage: 'We Are So Thankful'
Feb. 28 2022, Published 9:09 a.m. ET
Jill Duggar is pregnant!
The former 19 Kids and Counting star, 30, is expecting a "rainbow baby" with husband Derick Dillard after suffering a miscarriage in October 2021.
The couple — who already shares sons Israel, 6 and Samuel, 4 — announced their expected new arrival via their family blog on Sunday, February 27, after teasing some "exciting news" for their followers on Instagram.
"We've been keeping a little secret!" the announcement on their website read. "Ever since we were devastated last fall by the miscarriage of our sweet baby, River Bliss, we have played that, if it was God's will, he would bless us with another baby."
"We are excited to announce that God has answered our prayers and we are expecting our rainbow baby due July 2022!," the statement continued. "We are so thankful for a healthy baby and pregnancy so far and we look forward to finding out the gender soon!"
As OK! previously reported, the Counting On alums shared last fall that they were expecting their third child before suffering a miscarriage.
"We recently found out that we were expecting our third baby," they shared at the time. "We were all thrilled! It was fun to see so much joy in the boys' faces as we shared the news with them."
"They were full of questions and so excited as we talked about the pregnancy and how they would get to be involved along the way and after baby was born," the parents shared of their kids.
"However, a few days later we started miscarrying," the statement continued. "Even though it was too early to tell the baby's gender, we picked a name that we feel encompasses our baby's significance and the life we will always remember: River Bliss Dillard."
The former reality stars — who tied the knot in 2014 — went on to reveal why they chose the name River Bliss, explaining: "One meaning for River is 'tranquil'… and here in Arkansas, rivers are often a serene, beautiful escape in nature. We also like how the River talked about in the Bible (Rev. 22:1-5) represents God’s life-giving presence. The river of life (Holy Spirit), ‘flows from the throne of God,’ and with the tree of life is ‘for the healing of the nations.'"
“Our baby doesn’t get to live here with us on earth, but is forever with the source of the river of life, in the presence of the Lord!" the lovebirds concluded, "And we chose Bliss for a middle name because our baby is living in perfect bliss with the Lord and was such a gift that brought immense joy and happiness to us even though only with us here on earth for a short time.”
