Recap: 'Meet Kaci Lynn Bates'

Bringing Up Bates "Meet Kaci Lynn Bates"

• Zach and Whitney are expecting the arrival of Kaci Lynn Bates in the next couple weeks. "We're counting down the days," says Whitney. "I'm always going into her room and looking through her clothes and talking to Bradley about her." 
• The little Bates family of three (soon to be four) heads to a local park to have pictures taken by Taryn Yager, the unofficial Bates photographer. 
• Whitney says this pregnancy has been completely different than her first one. "With Bradley, I was sick all the time up until the day I had him," she shares. "And with Kaci Lynn, I have had so much more energy. Bradley has kept me going. I haven't been sick hardly at all."
• "I can't wait for [Bradley] to meet [Kaci]," says Whitney. 
• Zach looks forward to having two kids who are close in age. He and Michael were even closer in age, and they were inseparable. "Everything we did was the two of us," says Zach. "There's a bond there that nothing can really break. And I'm really looking forward to Bradley and Kaci having that same kind of relationship."
• "Through life, they really have been like best friends," says Gil of Zach and Michaela.
• AJ, Lawson's friend from the children's hospital, comes over to the Bates house with his parents and sister. AJ has multiple brain tumors--some that are inoperable--and has been through more than 40 chemo treatments. 
• Gil, Lawson, and a few of the other Bates guys take AJ and his family fishing under a bridge on Cove Lake. AJ is absolutely ecstatic when he catches his first fish. When asked how much fun he has had with Lawson, he replies, "More than I can even say."
• Whitney takes Bradley to her ultrasound appointment and enjoys pointing out "sissy's face" to her son. Unfortunately, Dr. Vick informs Whitney that Kaci is breech (upside down). He hopes she will flip on her own, but if she doesn't, the options will be to do a c-section or try to spin Kaci from the outside. The Bates resolve to cover the situation in prayer. 
• At their next ultrasound appointment, Zach and Whitney are told that Kaci is still breech. "She's as stubborn as them come," says Zach, chuckling. "Definitely a Bates." At this point, it is much less likely that Kaci will flip on her own.
• Zach and Whitney decorate the nursery in gender neutral colors and choose bedding for Bradley and Kaci. 
• This time, Zach makes sure to pack for the hospital before Whitney goes into labor. "You would think that Zach would be pretty calm about this whole having the baby thing and going to the hospital, since his mom has had so many," says Whitney. "But last time, he was in a panic."
• "Zach was so, I don't want to say comical, but he was so nervous, pour guy," shares Gil.
• Later, the Paines deliver Bradley's new toddler bed, made with love by Uncle Chad. Bradley is absolutely thrilled, as he jumps up on the bed and lays down with a big smile on his face. 
• The moment has finally arrived! Dr. Vick tells Zach and Whitney that it's time to try to flip Kaci and that if the procedure is successful, labor will follow. Lawson comes over to pick up Bradley and take him to stay with Whitney's dad (aka "Pawpaw").
• The next morning, Carlin comes over at 3am to accompany Zach and Whitney to the hospital. "We just prayed that God would work it out however he saw fit, so we just went in there scared to death, hoping for the best," says Whitney.
• At Whitney's request, her mom and Kelly are at the birth, which Kelly says makes her feel very special. 
• Dr. Vick numbs Whitney up and then wheels her into another room to attempt to flip Kaci. Zach is able to go with his wife, but the grandmas have to wait in the delivery room. "Okay baby, we love you," says Kelly as Whitney leaves. "You're in God's hands. God knows what's best, and we're going to be praying for you." Whitney starts crying, as she and Zach are both very nervous. 
• Dr. Vick announces that he will try for about 10 minutes to flip Kaci, and if he is unsuccessful, he will immediately proceed with a c-section. "When I was laying there...all I could do was pray and cry," says Whitney. "It didn't take him but just a second, and he was able to flip her." Everyone rejoices, especially the expectant parents. 
• After a long day of waiting, Kaci finally arrives at 10:32pm. A family member brings Bradley to the hospital so he can meet his sister. 
• "I can't explain the feeling of my wife having a baby, just an overwhelming sense of joy and fulfillment and excitement," shares Zach. "I wish you could bottle it up and keep it for a rainy day."
• The next morning, all the Bates aunts and uncles arrive, and everyone has to take a picture holding Kaci. 
• "I know one thing, that is a little girl that's got a lot of people that want to be there for her [and] love on her," shares Gil, his eyes welling up with tears.

Recap: 'Three Pointers and Puppies'

Bringing Up Bates "Three Pointers and Puppies"

• Tori, Carlin, and Josie, along with their friend Courtney visit The Crown College of the Bible, located near their home. Josie, who will soon graduate from high school, has already started taking college classes online and is planning to take a few on-campus courses in fall 2016. 
• Tori and Josie try to convince Carlin to study music on campus rather than liberal arts online. Carlin is unsure about being tied down because she enjoys traveling to help with children at various conferences.
• "You said that you wanted to teach piano," Tori reminds her sister. "It's hard to teach piano if you don't have a degree in it," Josie chimes in. Tori is in school for education, and Josie is considering pursuing a cosmetology degree. 
• Gil, Kelly, and most of the kids head up to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to watch the boys participate in New Heights Basketball Camp. 
• When asked if they would ever want to attend a basketball camp, Callie, Ellie, and Addallee's responses are quite entertaining. Callie says no because she "hates sweat." Addalle's answer is the same. "I'd have to take a bath," she says. But Ellie is game for it (no pun intended).
• This the first time that all the boys have played on organized teams. The family enjoys watching the "unconventional" tactics that they have developed over the years. 
• "I don't think anybody will ever see defense like Nathan," says Carlin.
• "I think it was really good for our kids to get to go somewhere where they could have fun playing sports, being challenged by people that can play really, really good," says Kelly. "But more than that, it was a place where the coaches really wanted the boys to work on their character."
• "For the boys in our family, no matter what your personality is sitting on the couch when you're hanging around with the rest of the family, when you get on the court, when you get on the field,  it changes," says Zach. "You're automatically in it for blood."
• Gil and Kelly are especially amazed by Isaiah's performance. He hasn't played a lot of basketball, but he does very well and ends up winning an award.
• Michael and Brandon drive three hours from Chicago to hang out with the family at basketball camp. Michael, who also has first responder and EMT training, has recently finished her associate degree in medical health science. While the Keilens say they are not planning to stay in Chicago forever, they aren't sure what the next step is at this point.
• Warden and Isaiah make it to the finals in their junior varsity league, but they end up losing by two points. 
• "I try to tell the boys...if you know you controlled your attitude, if you gave it 100 percent, then you're a winner in the things that matter," says Gil.
• Back at home, Chad meets Erin, Katie, and Carson at the local animal shelter to look at dogs.
• "We're going to go get a dog!" announces Erin. "I brought a box."
• "You seriously brought a box?" Chad asks, laughing. "Honey, we're just looking for a dog, just looking, not necessarily going to get one. 
• Carson absolutely loves dogs and often walks around the house "woofing" and panting, according to Erin. "It's so cute--why are you laughing?" Erin asks Chad. "I'm laughing because your brothers and sisters taught him how to pant like a dog and woof."

Recap: 'You Can't Spell Paintball Without PAIN'

Bringing Up Bates "You Can't Spell Paintball Without PAIN"

• For the Bates boys, joining Dad and the older guys on a tree job is a big milestone. As Jackson heads to work with Gil and Nathan for the first time, Gil surprises his 14-year-old son with a new pair of work boots. 
• Before allowing Jackson to participate in any tree jobs, Kelly makes it clear that he first must have his schoolwork and chores completed for that day.  "I want them to learn diligence," says the mom of 19.
• It's difficult for Kelly to watch the boys start to work in the family business. "Sometimes I do wish it wasn't such a dangerous job." she shares. "Gil's seeing them as 14; they're a man. I'm seeing them as...14; they're still my baby."
• "Looking back, my dad took time to teach me different things, so we're trying to continue that," says Gil. "I tell them, 'We want you to learn every skill you possibly can before you leave the home...'"
• While they are cutting down trees, Gil, Nathan, and Jackson find three baby bunnies.
• "I know some people say that it's not good to handle bunny rabbits because their mother may reject them, and that's not always the case," explains Nathan. "But, our options are, either leave these little things under the tree or to set them aside and keep them out of harm's way. I don't know a whole lot about bunny rabbits, but I know it's not good for trees to fall on them."
• "I'm proud of Jackson," says Gil, nearly tearing up. "He's so much like Zach. I can look back and see Zach in that little fellow."
• Gil, Kelly, and Callie visit the Paines' house to hear the piano parts of the songs that Erin is planning to record on her upcoming lullaby CD. More on that soon.
• To celebrate his 14th birthday, Jackson plays paintball with Gil, a few of his older brothers, and a few friends. "Well guys, I think it's time to put the 'pain' in paintball," announces Gil. "I hope y'all are all the recipients, and I hope I'm the dealer for this situation."
• "In the Bates family, we try to choose games that are competitive, competitive, and painful," jokes Zach. 
• "Getting older is a great thing and a scary thing," states Jackson at the end of the episode. "You get more privileges...but you also get older, which stinks because you get a lot of responsibilities."

Recap: 'From the Couch--Bates Go To Florida'

Bringing Up Bates "From the Couch: Bates Go To Florida"

• It's Christmastime 2014. As they show opens on Alyssa in her Florida home, Lawson says he couldn't imagine living in such quietude. "I think I'm going to stick around at the loud, noisy house of chaos for a while," he states, although he does plan to eventually get married.
• Alyssa, who used to be the main chef before she moved to Florida, prepares a meal for everyone. Lawson claims that he has lost weight since Alyssa left Tennessee.
• Later, everyone heads to the beach. This is the first time that the youngest kids have seen the ocean. 
• As Carlin, Lawson, and Nathan watch footage of themselves and the rest of the family enjoying the cold water, they comment on the background songs. "I'm telling you, the songs just really bring the mood to the whole atmosphere," says Carlin. 
• The clan also visits the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home of Winter, the dolphin that stars in Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. Lawson, Carlin, and Katie poke fun at their dad as they watch him try to work out a deal on admission for the family. 
• After picking oranges at an orchard, the Bates take a monster truck ride through a swamp. The film crew captures the adventure with their drone, but sadly, it hits a tree limb and plummets into the swamp. 
• Best quotes from the show:
• Lawson Bates: "That's something that is never going to change, Katie's sass. She's still dishing it out."
• Gil Bates: "We like beaches, and we like people. We just like people to have all of their clothes on at the beaches."
• Gil Bates: "Sometimes life is hard, but you can't give up. You just keep trying with whatever you've got left."
• Carlin: "Me and Tori always talk over each other." Lawson: "Carlin, I think you talk over everybody."

Recap: 'Bates Dish It Out"

Bringing Up Bates "Bates Dish It Out"

• Zach and Chad work together to make a little bed for Bradley. “…The man has never-ending talents,” says Tori of Chad. “He’s amazing.”
• Lawson joins his producer, Andy Leftwich, at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville to continue work on his upcoming album. “I’m always nervous going into the studio,” admits Lawson. “There’s so much going into it. You want to make sure you’re getting what you want out of it.”
• “I think Lawson is seeing his music career really starting to grow,” shares Kelly. “Yes it requires talent…but I think a large majority of it is knowing the right people, being at the right place at the right time.” Stay tuned for details on Lawson's fall tour.
• Emily Ann Roberts, who recently scored second place on The Voice, joins Lawson in the recording studio. The two vocalists give viewers a sneak peek of one of the duets they are performing together. Surprisingly, it's a heartbreak song. 
• Trace: “Why do you do a breakup song when you should be doing a love song or something?”
• Lawson: “Hey, you sing about what’s real to you.”
• Nathan: “All that he’s ever known is breakups, so that’s what’s real to him.”
• “I feel really, really blessed to be a part of this,” shares Emily Ann. “I’m really thankful that Lawson invited me to be on his record. I think it’s going to be incredible.” 
• According to Callie, “Emily Ann has a voice like an angel.”
• Back in East Tennessee, everyone heads out the door to eat lunch at Austin’s Steak and Homestyle Buffet, an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord. Gil and Kelly say it has been a while since their family has been to a buffet.
• “The kids going to a buffet is like turning a child loose in a candy store,” explains Gil. “A moment on the lips, forever on the hips."
• Most of the family members eat way too much, but not Tori. “You know what Tori did?” says Carlin. “Tori felt great afterwards ‘cause she walks in the buffet and what does she get at a buffet? A SALAD! So then, she started eating her big salad, so then I felt bad, so I had to get me a salad. So I ate that plus everything else, and so then I really felt bad.” 

The song playing in the background towards the end of the episode is "Bring A Little Joy," performed by Jasmine Ash.