'I wish our sweet baby could have seen just how wonderful a mother you are': Josiah Duggar, 22, pays tribute to wife Lauren, 19, on her 'first Mother's Day' - seven months after she miscarried

  • Josiah, 22, and Lauren 19, married on June 30, 2018 and learned they were expecting a few months later
  • She suffered a miscarriage in October and later shared the news with fans
  • On Sunday, Josiah wished her a happy first Mother's Day on Instagram 
  • He wrote: 'Not all mothers arms get to hold their little one, or get to hear their baby’s laughs and cries'
  • Several of Josiah's siblings are expecting new additions to their families 

Josiah Duggar shared a heartfelt tribute to his wife Lauren to mark her first Mother's Day on Sunday, seven months after she suffered a miscarriage with what would have been their first child.

Josiah, 22, and Lauren 19, have shared their heartbreak over the loss of her first pregnancy, which occurred back in October of 2018. 

But in an Instagram post on Sunday, Josiah insisted that the miscarriage makes Lauren no less of a mother, and wished her a happy first Mother's Day.

Baby newlyweds: Josiah Duggar, 22, shared a message for his wife Lauren, 19, on Instagram on Sunday

Baby newlyweds: Josiah Duggar, 22, shared a message for his wife Lauren, 19, on Instagram on Sunday

Caption: The couple lost a baby to miscarriage in October, but Josiah wrote that Lauren is still a mother and this was still her first Mother's Day

Caption: The couple lost a baby to miscarriage in October, but Josiah wrote that Lauren is still a mother and this was still her first Mother's Day

He uploaded the post to the couple's shared Instagram account, choosing a posed shot of the couple smiling outside, which fans have speculated was taken at their wedding rehearsal.

'To my dear Lauren... Happy 1st Mother’s Day!' wrote Josiah, the eighth eldest of 19 children.  

'I have seen you love, protect, and how much you have given without getting anything in return. I wish our sweet baby could’ve seen just how wonderful a mother you are,' he went on.

'Not all mothers arms get to hold their little one, or get to hear their baby’s laughs and cries. You may have missed out on these things since our baby was called home to be with Jesus, but you ARE a mother.

'I love you Lauren!' he concluded it, signing the message 'Si.'

Loss: The couple married on June 30, 2018 and learned they were expecting a few months later. In October, early in her first trimester, she had a miscarriag

Loss: The couple married on June 30, 2018 and learned they were expecting a few months later. In October, early in her first trimester, she had a miscarriag 

Missed: Lauren (pictured after seeing a sad movie) cried on camera discussing the loss

Missed: Lauren (pictured after seeing a sad movie) cried on camera discussing the loss

The post has earned over 96,000 likes, including from Josiah's sisters Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Jana, and Joy.

His sister-in-law Anna, who is married to sex pest Josh, also left a comment reading, 'Happy Mother's Day!' 

Lauren and Josiah married on June 30, 2018 and learned they were expecting a few months later. In October, early in her first trimester, she had a miscarriage.

The couple had already shared their news with the entire family before they lost the baby — two events that were covered on the most recent season of the TLC show Counting On. 

'Lauren and I were actually preparing for a trip to go to a friend's wedding,' Josiah said in a video in which they discussed the loss. 'She started feeling really sick and started noticing some different things.

'Mrs. Swanson was there, so she was able to help her out I didn't know exactly what was going on,' he went on.

Big family: She is currently an aunt to 11 children on her husband's side alone

Big family: She is currently an aunt to 11 children on her husband's side alone

'I wasn't feeling well,' Lauren said. 'I was cramping really, really bad, which was quite strange because I normally don't.

'I was thinking maybe I had something that had gluten in it,' the teenager, who has a gluten intolerance, added before tearing up. 'It was late at night and I went to use the restroom and there was the baby. Gone.

'I couldn't believe it and I was hoping it wasn't true.'

In a video statement to Us Weekly, the couple stood together outside arm-in-arm and reflected on their sad news.

'A couple months ago, we found out that we were expecting, but suddenly thereafter, we lost our baby,' Lauren said. 

'It really was a hard time for our family going through this right after we got married,' Josiah piped in. 'And all the dreams of getting to see our little one and hold it in our hands dashed before our eyes.'

'Nobody really talks about it,' Lauren said. 'We just wanted to let y'all know that you're not alone.' 

Another! Josiah's sister Jessa and her husband Ben are expecting their third child later this summer — the same time Lauren would have been due

Another! Josiah's sister Jessa and her husband Ben are expecting their third child later this summer — the same time Lauren would have been due

Sad: In February, the 26-year-old shared a picture of her baby bump and shared her heartbreak over Lauren's miscarriage

Sad: In February, the 26-year-old shared a picture of her baby bump and shared her heartbreak over Lauren's miscarriage 

Bittersweet: Jessa said that her 'heart aches' for her brother Josiah and sister-in-law Lauren

Bittersweet: Jessa said that her 'heart aches' for her brother Josiah and sister-in-law Lauren

'I weep when I think of how difficult it must be for her to see me pregnant in the very stages where she would’ve been — right up through the baby’s due date,' she wrote
'I’ve watched Lauren converse with people who have been unknowingly insensitive, and I am amazed by her graciousness,' she went on

'I weep when I think of how difficult it must be for her to see me pregnant in the very stages where she would’ve been — right up through the baby’s due date,' she wrote

'If you’ve lost a child, know this — YOU ARE A MAMA, and you will never cease to think about and cherish the life you carried,' she wrote
''We must all reinforce the fact that emotions over a life lost are not something to be resisted. They’re not wrong, and you should never think that for a moment,' she said

'If you’ve lost a child, know this — YOU ARE A MAMA, and you will never cease to think about and cherish the life you carried,' she wrote

Lauren had actually been due to give birth around the same time that Josiah's sister Jessa is due with her third with husband Ben Seewald.

In February, 26-year-old Jessa shared a mirror selfie showing off her baby bump on Instagram but paid homage to her sister-in-law.

'Pregnancy — such a precious gift, and definitely not something I take for granted,' she wrote.

'As we look forward to meeting our baby, we’re also feeling an exceptional amount of grief over my brother Josiah and sister-in-law Lauren’s loss of their baby.

'Lauren and I shared the exact same due date,' she revealed. 'We have cried so many tears, both together and apart. My heart aches for them.

'I weep when I think of how difficult it must be for her to see me pregnant in the very stages where she would’ve been — right up through the baby’s due date.

'And yet, even in a flood of emotions, there are perplexities of the human heart that may cause us to want to clam up or remain silent through such a trial. Because of this, many people feel like they’re walking this road alone.

'Lauren ... started feeling really sick and started noticing some different things,' Josiah said when they revealed their miscarriage news
Mom's help: The reality star said that his wife's mother was on hand to help out during the hard time

'Lauren ... started feeling really sick and started noticing some different things,' Josiah said when they revealed their miscarriage news

'I was thinking maybe I had something that had gluten in it,' Lauren recalled. 'It was late at night and I went to use the restroom and there was the baby. Gone'

'I was thinking maybe I had something that had gluten in it,' Lauren recalled. 'It was late at night and I went to use the restroom and there was the baby. Gone'


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'It is true that speaking for the sake of filling silence is not needful and is often hurtful. I’ve watched Lauren converse with people who have been unknowingly insensitive, and I am amazed by her graciousness.

'I’ve heard some try to give reasons or explanations, not realizing that their unsolicited opinions might be very painful, like salt to a wound. One might never know the tears you cry at night as a result of their words flowing back through your head. 

'Often times, "I love you and I’m praying for you” along with a hug are quite sufficient.

'We do not need to fill every silence with words. But at the same time, conversations of lost dreams should never feel suppressed. Silence can stifle healing, but a carefully chosen word may work to help bring life and healing to the soul. 

'We must all reinforce the fact that emotions over a life lost are not something to be resisted. They’re not wrong, and you should never think that for a moment.

'If you’ve lost a child, know this — YOU ARE A MAMA, and you will never cease to think about and cherish the life you carried,' she wrote.

All smiles: Joy-Anna Duggar, 21, and her husband, Austin Forsyth, 25, are expecting their second child together. They have one son, Gideon

All smiles: Joy-Anna Duggar, 21, and her husband, Austin Forsyth, 25, are expecting their second child together. They have one son, Gideon

Another on the way! Kendra, 20, and Joe, 24, announced that they, too, are already expecting their second child, a little sibling for Garrett

Another on the way! Kendra, 20, and Joe, 24, announced that they, too, are already expecting their second child, a little sibling for Garrett

'No matter how hard or difficult the journey, please don't feel guilt over this,' she went on. 'You'll never stop wondering all of the details, from what the baby would look like, hair color, eye color, personality, etc. 

'It's only natural. Your tender heart just goes to show what a loving, caring person you are — that you care so deeply for one you were only grace [with] for such a short time.

'My heart aches for you as topics of babies or pregnancy arise in conversation. It is likely you were already well acquainted with the first trimester symptoms of nausea, food aversions and fatigue, and you would've give anything to have had the opportunity to labor and deliver your baby, no matter how long or painful the process.

'When complaining or grumblings ... are verbalized over colicky babies or sleep that's been broken up for night feedings — Oh, what you wouldn't give to be in their shoes!

'We do continue to pray that God will bless you with a baby to hold in your arms, but this is not to insinuate that having another will remove the grief over one that's been lost. That life can never be replaced and will forever hold a special place in your heart.'

Big brood: Josh and Anna are expecting a sixth. They have nine-year-old Mackynzie, seven-year-old Michael, five-year-old Marcus, three-year-old Meredith, and one-year-old Mason

Big brood: Josh and Anna are expecting a sixth. They have nine-year-old Mackynzie, seven-year-old Michael, five-year-old Marcus, three-year-old Meredith, and one-year-old Mason

Here, she addressed her sister-in-law: 'Lauren, you're such a positive, life-giving soul, even in walking through a great hardship and suffering so much loss. 

'I don't know how you can grieve through such a trial, and at the same time be so thoughtful to say, "Jess, if you ever feel too sick or tired and need some help do not hesitate to text or call. I would be more than happy to make a meal, watch the boys, etc."

'That is God's grace, and it radiates from your life. We love you both so much, and pray that God would continue to comfort your hearts.'  

Jessa, who married her husband on June 21, 2014 when she was 21 and he was 19, already has two children: three-year-old Spurgeon and two-year-old Henry.

Recently, several other members of the family have announced additional pregnancies.

Most recently, Joy Anna, 21, announced that she and husband Austin Forsyth are expecting their second. They already have one son, Gideon.

Lots of babies: Jinger, 25, has a nine-month-old daughter named Felicity with her husband Jeremy Vuolo

Lots of babies: Jinger, 25, has a nine-month-old daughter named Felicity with her husband Jeremy Vuolo

No longer on the show: Jill and Derick Dillard have two sons, four-year-old Israel and one-year-old Samuel

No longer on the show: Jill and Derick Dillard have two sons, four-year-old Israel and one-year-old Samuel

They do: Newlyweds John David, 29, and Abbie, 26, have yet to announce a pregnancy

They do: Newlyweds John David, 29, and Abbie, 26, have yet to announce a pregnancy 

Josh, 31 — who infamously was discovered to have molested his sisters as a teenager and was caught with a profile on the adultery website Ashley Madison in 2015 — and his wife Anna, 30, revealed they are pregnant with their sixth child.

Joe, 24, and his wife Kendra, 20, are also expecting their second, a little sibling for big brother Garrett.

Meanwhile, sister Jill, 27, and her husband of five years Derick Dillard have two sons, four-year-old Israel and one-year-old Samuel.

Jinger, 25, has a nine-month-old daughter named Felicity with her husband Jeremy Vuolo.

Only newlyweds John David, 29, and Abbie, 26, have yet to announce a pregnancy.  

The Duggar parents, Michelle and Jim Bob, have been outspoken against birth control, saying that they welcomed as many children as God saw fit to give them. 

Jim Bob revealed that initially, they thought they'd have just two or three kids, and Michelle went on the pill for the first few years of their marriage.

But after having their eldest son Josh, Michelle went back on the pill and got pregnant while taking it. They ended up losing that baby, and were so grieved that, through prayer, they decided to 'give that area of our life to the Lord,' letting God decide on when and how often they would have kids.

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Josiah Duggar wishes wife Lauren a happy First Mother's Day after miscarriage

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