Bates Season 9 in 6 Days

Visiting with newborn Willow Balka

The season nine premiere of UPtv's Bringing Up Bates is only six days away! Episode one, "A First Time for Everything," airs at 9pm ET/8pm CT on Thursday, March 5. Below is a video, to which additional footage will be added daily, that shows the opening scene of the show. For a summary of the first episode, visit our Showtimes page.

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and DuggarFamilyBlog.com).

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Behind-the-Scenes Look at New Opener

Are you looking forward to next Thursday's season premiere of Bringing Up Bates? Last month, we shared a video of the new show opener. If you would like a behind-the-scenes look at how it was filmed, check out the video below. The process took seven hours, but everything went fairly smoothly, even when Jackson arrived with an injury that had landed him the hospital the day before.


Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Lawson Returns from the Philippines

Gil Bates, Lawson Bates, Kelly Bates

The fourth-oldest bates sibling has just returned home from a three-month stay in the Philippines. He departed right before Thanksgiving and only planned to stay a week, but the medical case of a young girl for whom he was advocating kept him away for much longer. He met the girl while on a previous disaster relief trip and, in just a few months, will return to the Philippines with a doctor to accompany her and her mother back to the United States so she can receive a life-saving surgery.

Lawson left soon after Khloe Bates' birth but missed the arrivals of Holland Paine and Layla Stewart.

Photo courtesy of lawsonbates.com

Carlin's Visitor

This week, Carlin had a short visit from her best friend, Joy-Anna (Duggar) Forsyth. Joy traveled from Northwest Arkansas to East Tennessee to meet Layla, who is almost three weeks old. You can see a photo of the two besties with Layla on our blog about the Duggar family.

Bates Season 9 Sneak Peek

Bringing Up Bates season nine premieres in less than three weeks! Below is the written summary for the first episode, which airs on Thursday, March 5, at 9pm ET/9pm CT, as well as a sneak peek video.

Thursday, March 5
9pm: A First Time for Everything
After their fairytale wedding, Carlin and Evan head off on their honeymoon with a stop in romantic Charleston, SC. The newlyweds experience the romance of the city and try their hand at crabbing. But will Carlin show her claws when Evan dares her to pick up a crustacean? Trace's friend, Chaney, is in town and he introduces her family to the Bates. Will Trace win her family over or lose his cool during a competitive game of bocce ball? The countdown to Josie and Kelton's first baby is on and final prep with a doula bolsters their confidence, but no one could truly anticipate the difficult labor in store. With much perseverance, Josie gives birth to baby Willow and the family comes together to celebrate.

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Bates #12 and #15 Turn 18 and 14

Happy double Bates birthday to Jackson and Addallee! Jackson is turning 18, while Addie is 14. 

Jackson Bates and Addallee Bates

2019

Jackson and Addee Bates

2018

Jackson and Addee

2016

Photos courtesy of thebatesfamily.com

Bobby Turns 25

Tori and Bobby Smith at yesterday's I Love You Day party

 

Happy 25th birthday to Bobby! Between the couples' dinner on Friday, the Bates' Valentine's Day celebration on Saturday, Bobby's birthday today, and Jackson and Addie's birthdays tomorrow, it has been a busy weekend for the Bates clan.

Tori Smith, Bobby Smith, Kade Smith

Photo courtesy of keilencorner.com; Tori and Bobby Smith

The Roaring '20s

The Bates' annual Valentine's Day celebration has come to a close. Last night, the couples gathered for dinner, which was followed by a Charleston dancing face-off for the guys. This afternoon, the entire family got together for the big party, held at Gil and Kelly's church, Bible Baptist. The theme was the "roaring '20s." The film crew was present, so you can look forward to seeing all the fun on an upcoming episode of Bringing Up Bates.

Carlin Stewart, Evan Stewart, Layla Rae Stewart

Josie Balka, Willow Balka, Kelton Balka

Photos courtesy of Carlin and Evan Stewart; Josie and Kelton Balka

I Love You Day 2020 Prep

2019 I Love You Day couples dinner

As the Bringing Up Bates "I Love You Day Special" comes to a close on UPtv, the Bates family is busy preparing for this year's I Love You Day celebration. The Websters have arrived from Florida, and the family is getting ready to party. The theme is the "roaring '20s." The Bates' usual Valentine's Day festivities include a couples dinner, followed by a fun-filled gathering for the entire clan.

Photo courtesy of UPtv

'I Love You Day Special'

"It's all about loving each other, and this day really is such a special time for my whole family."
-Erin Paine

In this Bringing Up Bates special, the network shares highlights from past Bates Valentine's Day celebrations. I Love You Day 2015 shows Bradley as an infant and Tori in braces. Alyssa is only seven weeks away from her due date with Allie Jane.

In 2016, Erin and Chad that they are expecting Brooklyn, and 16-year-old Josie remarks, "The problem is, after all these millions of people have all these kids, there ain't going to be no names left for us to use." Bobby joins in on the fun for his first Bates family gathering.

Photo courtesy of UPtv

Papa Bill Meets Mama Jane

Papa Bill and Mama Jane

(Gil's parents from South Carolina)

"Well when you knock 'em down, you take 'em home!"
-Papa Bill

In this scene from a previous 'I Love You Day,' the Bates couples hear the tale of how Papa Bill and Mama Jane met. It's quite amusing, actually. Definitely not your average love story.

Be sure to tune in to UPtv tomorrow (Thursday, February 13th) at 9pm ET/8pm CT for the Bringing Up Bates "I Love You Day Special." The Bates family will show you all the best moments from their past Valentine's Day celebrations and will also give you an extended first look at the upcoming season, which premieres Thursday, March 5th.

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Layla's Newborn Photos

Carlin and Evan's little girl is 10 days old. This was her first weekend at home, but she has already completed her newborn photo shoot with Taryn Yager, the Bates' photographer friend who has done countless photo sessions for the family over the years. Who do you think Layla most resembles, Mom or Dad?

Layla Rae Stewart, Carlin Stewart, Evan Stewart

 

Layla Stewart and Evan Stewart

Photos courtesy of tarynyagerphotography.com

Layla Returns Home

For the second time, Layla Rae Stewart is home from the hospital. The family of three was discharged a few days after birth, only to be readmitted due to Layla's jaundice. Today, Layla is one week old and is hopefully home for good. (The photo below was taken after the Stewarts returned home for the first time.)

After leaving the hospital, the new parents stopped by Carlin's parents' house to show off their new addition to the younger Bates siblings who had not yet met her. The hospital had a minimum age requirement for visitors due to flu season.

Evan Stewart, Carlin Stewart, Layla Stewart

Photo courtesy of Carlin and Evan Stewart

Layla Returns to Hospital

Carlin and Layla Stewart were discharged from the hospital, but Layla was re-admitted after a short while at home, due to a spike in her jaundice levels. We know that Carlin and Evan would appreciate prayer as they navigate these first few days of parenthood with a sick child. Layla is five days old.

Layla Rae Stewart

Photo courtesy of Carlin and Evan Stewart

Trace's Break-Up

Trace Bates with newborn Willow Balka

Many of our readers have asked for an update on Trace Bates' relationship with Chaney. For that reason, we wanted to inform you of an announcement that he just made.

After spending time getting to know Trace, Chaney felt like they were not meant to continue their relationship, so the two are no longer dating. Trace says that he is grateful for his time with Chaney and that their months together were a time of growth for both of them.

You may see Trace and Chaney together on season nine of Bringing Up Bates--which premieres March 5th, in case you missed the news--but that is only because the footage was filmed before they broke up.

Photo courtesy of Trace Bates

Aunt Michael and Layla

Michael Keilen and Layla Stewart

We just can't get enough of sweet little Layla Rae Stewart, who made her grand debut on Friday afternoon. Isn't this a lovely photo of Layla holding Aunt Michael's finger? Another little baby for Michael to dote on. She's great with kids, and as you've probably noticed on the show, all the Bates nieces and nephews love her.

Photo courtesy of keilencorner.com

Introducing Layla Rae Stewart!

Evan Stewart, Carlin Stewart, Layla Stewart

Layla Rae Stewart is coming up on 24 hours old. For her birth details, check out our other post. As you can tell, the new parents are over the moon! A quote from the new couple and additional photos can be found on the UPtv website.

Carlin and Layla Rae Stewart

Photos courtesy of tarynyagerphotography.com

Carlin and Evan Welcome Layla

Evan Stewart and Carlin Stewart

Layla Rae Stewart has arrived! She was born at 3:56pm yesterday (Friday, January 31, 2020), weighing 5lbs 13 ounces and measuring 18 inches long. She arrived a few weeks ahead of schedule, after an induction. Carlin shared earlier in her pregnancy that she has the same blood clotting disorder as Erin.

Be sure to visit Us Weekly for the exclusive story and first photos of the Stewart family of three. 

If you enjoy this blog, be sure to visit Ellie's other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and DuggarFamilyBlog.com).

Photo courtesy of UPtv