Navy Kate Stewart

Carlin and Evan Stewart have landed on a name for their little girl, born September 7th, 2025. They will call her Navy Kate Stewart. Navy joins big sister Layla Stewart, who is five-and-a-half, and Zade Stewart, who turned three in March. Coming in at 7 pounds, she is the Stewarts' biggest baby. Layla weighed 5 lbs 13 oz, and Zade weighed 6 lbs 12 oz. Carlin hasn't used her middle name, Brianne, for either of her daughters. Congratulations to the Stewart and Bates families!

The Stewarts Share Their News

Last week, we shared Carlin and Evan Stewart's big news. They are expecting their third child in September! The parents of Layla and Zade Stewart were bubbling over with joy and could hardly wait to tell their kids and their extended family. In their latest YouTube video, you'll see footage from some of the reveals.

Baby Stewart Coming In September

Carlin and Evan Stewart announced yesterday that they are expecting their third baby. If you would like more details, you can watch their latest YouTube video. Carlin's tentative due date is September 24, 2025.

Bates Ski Trip 2025

A couple weeks ago, the Bates family took their annual ski vacation out west. Not everyone attends every year, but it still ends up being a good sized group. If you have watched Bringing Up Bates, the Bates' reality TV show that aired from 2015-2021, you know that this trip has been a tradition for quite a few years. The Clarks and Stewarts both uploaded YouTube videos of footage from this year's trip (links below), which took place in Utah. At the ends of Katie and Travis' video, you'll also hear Gil and Kelly Bates share some marriage tips.  

Katie and Travis Clark: Bates Ski Trip

Carlin and Evan Stewart: Bates Ski Trip

Stewarts Take a Disney Cruise

Carlin and Evan Stewart and their children just returned from their first Disney Cruise. Layla Stewart turned five years old while they were at sea, while Zade Stewart will turn three in March. You can hear all about the magical trip on the family's latest YouTube video, which is 30 minutes long.

Bates' 'Little House' Costume Party

How many of you are Little House on the Prairie fans? If you are, you're going to love the theme for the 2024 Bates Valentine's Day gathering. We already posted the link to Carlin and Evan Stewart's video from the event, but a few more couples have since shared their footage. What did you think of the costumes?

Trace and Lydia Bates ('I Love You Day')

Katie and Travis Clark ('I Love You Day')

Erin and Chad Paine ('I Love You Day')

Trace and Lydia Bates (Couples' Dinner)

Bates 'I Love You Day' 2024

If you are a long-time fan of the Bates family, you've likely heard about their annual gathering for Valentine's Day, which they call 'I Love You Day.' Every year, Kelly Bates plans a big costume party for the entire family and a separate dinner for all the couples. For the past several years, they have chosen a theme and have awarded prizes for the best costumes. 

This year, the theme was Little House on the Prairie. The festivities took place this weekend, and Carlin and Evan Stewart have already shared footage of both the costume party and couples dinner on YouTube.

2022: Bible characters

2021: Noah's ark/animals 

2020: Roaring '20s

2019: Chivalry/medieval

2018: Growing Old Together

1 Day 'Til Bates Wedding #9

The big day is almost here! Katie Bates is set to marry Travis Clark tomorrow in Loudon, Tennessee. The ceremony and reception will take place at Castleton Farms, the same wedding venue where Carlin and Evan Stewart tied the knot. The bride and groom picked up their marriage license, and everyone is working busily to prepare. Stay tuned for more updates. 

 

Travis Clark and Katie Bates

Photo courtesy of @kgbates2000

Camping with the Bates

 

Carlin Stewart, Layla Stewart, Evan Stewart

Would you consider yourself to be someone who likes to camp? Some of the Bates would say yes. For Josie and Kelton Balka, it has become a family tradition that they have enjoyed multiple times since being married. This fall, they took Willow and Hazel camping in September and again last weekend. 

Carlin and Evan Stewart went camping this weekend, and also last October. Looking back, we have seen other Bates family members pitch their tents quite a few times, including during the season five episode "The Fabulous Backwoods Bates Boys." Some of the kids camped out in the backyard in "Nashville Nights and Country Campouts." After providing food and helping with the logistics, Kelly was quoted saying, "As parents, we're over the camping days, but we do it for our kids."

 Photo courtesy of @carlinbates98

Carlin's Due Date

One month ago, Carlin and Evan Stewart announced that they are expecting another baby. A bunch of you asked when the due date is, and we have the answer for you. Baby Stewart #2 is due April 9th, 2022, which means that Carlin is almost 13 weeks along. Because of her blood clotting disorders, this pregnant mama has already had a lot of doctors appointments, but praise God that her little one is doing well. 

 

Evan Stewart and Carlin Stewart

Photo courtesy of @carlinbates98

Stewarts Celebrate 2 Years

Yesterday was Alyssa and John's 7th wedding anniversary, and today is Carlin and Evan Stewart's 2nd anniversary. Happy anniversary, Stewarts! Coincidentally, Carlin's best friend, Joy-Anna (Duggar) Forsyth, will celebrate her 4th anniversary tomorrow.

 

Carlin Stewart and Evan Stewart

2019 honeymoon

Photo courtesy of @carlinbates98

The Hole in Layla's Heart

 

Layla Stewart at the hospital in February

New parents Carlin and Evan Stewart have had a rough go of things since welcoming Layla Rae Stewart on January 31st. As a newborn, Layla struggled with jaundice and was readmitted to the hospital soon after her homecoming.  

In February, both Layla and Carlin were hospitalized. Carlin was diagnosed with meningitis, and Layla was having difficulty breathing. During follow-up testing, doctors discovered a small hole in Layla's heart. To top it all off, she was also put on medicine for acid reflux. This Thursday on a new episode of Bringing Up Bates, viewers will check in with the Stewarts and find out more about their baby girl's condition. 

  

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Stewarts Come Down with COVID

 

Carlin Stewart and Evan Stewart

Carlin and Evan Stewart just shared that they are both on the tail end of recovering from COVID-19. They haven't provided any other details, but we know they would appreciate your prayers. 

Photo courtesy of UPtv

More Babies Already?

Carlin's siblings hold Layla Stewart for the first time

"Getting to hold Layla, she was so tiny, she was so precious, just perfect."
-Nathan Bates

On their way home from the hospital, Carlin and Evan Stewart stop by the "big house" to introduce Layla to the family. This is the first time that the entire Bates crew hasn't been able to visit a baby at the hospital. As her siblings cuddle the newest addition, Carlin states that she already wants more babies. Evan smiles and reminds her that they aren't trying to set any records, and Kelly offers some helpful advice.



Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Stewarts Celebrate 1 Year

Has it already been one year since Carlin and Evan Stewarts' fairy tale wedding? Happy first anniversary to these two!

Carlin Stewart and Evan Stewart

Photo courtesy of @carlinbates98

Prayers for Layla

Carlin Stewart, Evan Stewart, Layla Stewart

 

Since her birth on January 31st, Layla Stewart has experienced a handful of health scares that have brought Carlin and Evan to their knees. In February, Carlin was hospitalized for a few days due to meningitis. During that time, Layla, who was having difficulty breathing, was taken to the children's hospital.

Layla was soon released, but follow-up testing revealed a small hole in her heart. Weeks later, her oxygen levels dropped again. This time, the paramedics that came to Carlin and Evan's house checked Layla and determined that her levels were back to normal. They suggested monitoring her and making an immediate appointment with Layla's doctor, rather than risk her being exposed to COVID-19 at the hospital.

The Stewarts say that Layla is now on medicine for acid reflux, and doctors are hopeful that the hole in her heart will heal on its own by age two. We know that Carlin and Evan and all the Bates and Stewarts would appreciate continued prayer for Layla's health. You can follow the new parents on their YouTube channel.

Photo courtesy of Carlin and Evan Stewart

Missing the Baby Stage

Kade Smith

Soon-to-be older brother

Tomorrow's new episode of Bringing Up Bates is all about Bates babies...well, almost. Carlin and Evan Stewart have their first ultrasound, and their doctor reveals some difficult news. Carlin has the same disorder as older sister Erin Paine, which causes concern about the pregnancy. Later, Tori Smith shares a baby announcement of her own during a walk with Josie and Willow Balka. And Gil meets with his doctor to discuss shoulder surgery.

Perfect timing for the video below, as we await news from Tori and Bobby of Kolter Grey Smith's arrival. Coming soon to a computer screen (or smartphone) near you! Most everything in life has been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, but births are one event that cannot be delayed. And let's be honest, we could all use some UPlifting news right about now.

Photo/video courtesy of UPtv

Tomorrow: 'A First Time for Everything'

Josie and Kelton Balka with newborn Willow Balka

T-minus one day! A new season of Bringing Up Bates is coming your way tomorrow (Thursday, March 5) at 9pm ET/8pm CT. Scroll down for snapshots, TV listings, and an episode summary. For a preview video, see our post from Friday.

Crabbing with the Stewarts in South Carolina

Carlin Stewart and Evan Stewart

Carlin and Evan Stewart in Charleston, South Carolina

Kelton Balka and Willow Balka

Thursday, March 5

9pm ET: A First Time for Everything
After their fairytale wedding, Carlin and Evan head off on their honeymoon with a stop in 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.

Photos courtesy of UPtv

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

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