The Duggars are heading to New York City to be featured on NBC's Today Show as part of Mother's Day. However, Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar have a big secret – Michelle is expecting baby #18, and the Duggars are trying to keep the news a secret until they can surprise the other 17 children on national television.
The Duggar's visit to New York City continues, as they visit Central Park and Times Square.
This episode features the Duggars rules about dating and courtship and includes a hidden camera view of oldest son Josh popping the big question to his fiancee Anna on her 20th birthday.
Josh brings Anna to Arkansas after the engagement in the last episode. The Duggars explain their beliefs about relationships with the opposite sex, where hand holding is a privilege, chaperones always accompany the couple and (in addition to their opposition to premarital sex) saving your first kiss for your wedding day is a must.
The Bates clan, a fellow mega-family from Tennessee (Gil, Kelly and their 16 children, with another on the way), decide to pay the Duggars a visit to their new Arkansas home. The episode centers around the logistical challenges of nearly 40 people in one house, as well as the similarities and differences between the two families.
The Bates and Duggars compete in paintball and dare each other to jump out of an airplane.
The Duggars explain their ways of thriftiness -- they do not use credit cards, only debit cards or cash; they purchase clothing from second hand stores, groceries from Aldi, grow their own vegetables, use firewood (from trees on their property) to heat their home and even have a recipe to make their own laundry detergent.
Each Duggar has his/her own chores (or jurisdictions, as they call them), which are somewhat gender-specific. However, Jim Bob decides that, on this day, the jurisdictions will switch and the boys will do the cooking, laundry and cleaning, while the girls learn the basics about car repairs.
The Duggars take a trip to Ohio for Michelle's family reunion. On the way, the family visits the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky where animatronic dinosaurs roam the earth with Adam and Eve. Prior to the trip Michelle goes in for an ultrasound, whereby the family learns that baby #18 is a girl.
Jinger successfully passes her driving test. The Duggars also celebrate Michelle's birthday and discuss their upcoming book.
The family prepares for the arrival of the newest Duggar, Jordyn-Grace Makiya who will be delivered by Caesarean.
Josh and Anna plan for their upcoming wedding.
Jim Bob and Michelle celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in San Francisco.
Jim Bob and the Duggar kids volunteer at Wild Wilderness Safari.
The Duggars visit Crater of Diamonds State Park. They also participate in a book signing of their book at Wal-Mart.
The Duggars go on a mission trip to El Salvador and volunteer at an orphanage.
The Duggars continue their mission trip to El Salvador, while Jim Bob struggles to learn Spanish. The Duggars throw a Christmas party for children at an orphanage to wrap up their mission trip.
The Duggars celebrate Christmas, including decorating and entering a float in the local Christmas parade.
Baby Jordyn-Grace arrives home from the hospital, just in time for a family photo shoot with People magazine.
The Duggars go to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, where they watch movies and meet actor Kirk Cameron, as well as the Von Trapp Children.
Michelle, Jim Bob, Jessa, Jinger, and baby Jordyn travel to New York City to appear on ABC's talk show, The View.
The Duggars experience an ice storm, which results in loss of electricity and the destruction of numerous trees and a shed. Jordyn also ends up in the hospital for several days due to breathing difficulties from a cold.
The Bates family arrive after the ice storm to lend the Duggars a helping hand. Also, Josh and Anna announce Anna's pregnancy. The show also features Grandpa Duggar for the last time before his death.
The family mourns the loss of Grandpa Duggar.
Newlyweds Josh and Anna settle into their new home and contemplate parenthood. Also, Anna cooks dinner for the entire Duggar family with help from Jana and Jinger.
Expectant parents Josh and Anna celebrate the news on a double date with Amy and her new boyfriend Mike.
Even mundane things like decorating and visiting the dentist become adventures when 18 kids are involved. Also the Duggars install new blinds in their home.
The Duggars talk about homeschooling their kids, and the importance of a good education, no matter what building it takes place in. Michelle and some of the kids (the four oldest daughters, Josiah, and Jordyn) visit a public school.
Jana and Jill have their wisdom teeth removed. Before Jill has her procedure done, she has a hard time coping due to her fear of needles.
The Duggars embark on a road trip to Big Sandy, Texas, in order to attend the Advanced Training Institute (ATI) Home School Conference.
The family throws Jason a birthday party at a roller skating rink to celebrate his ninth birthday.
