Shoes Stash & Sibling Sweetness

In this episode of Name That Bates, we learn that Whitney loves shoes and that Michaela (aka Michaella or Michael) frequently changes the preferred spelling of her name. Check out this video:

Video courtesy of UP

Recap: 'The Wedding To-Do List'

Tonight on Bringing Up Bates, "The Wedding To-Do List"...

• Michaella calls Brandon to tell him that Wallace Memorial Baptist Church has agreed to let them use the church for their wedding. The church has a youth lock-in that weekend, so the Bates and Keilens can only set up for the wedding the day of, and the reception must be over by the early evening.
• The Bates family has a fabulous oral surgeon who works with their budget. Zach, Michaella, Erin, and Tori have all had their wisdom teeth pulled, and now it's Lawson's turn.
• According to the family, Lawson has a pain tolerance of zero and is very melodramatic when it comes to dental procedures.
• On the day of the surgery, Gil brings a camera to capture Lawson's entertaining post-op for Kelly, who stays home because she is prone to fainting during the kids' medical emergencies. The mom of 19 can handle pain herself, but when she sees her children in pain, it makes her feel lightheaded.
• When the procedure is over, Lawson plays up the severity of his condition, but he manages to take a selfie on the drive home.
• Brandon comes to Tennessee so he and Michaella can meet with a wedding coordinator friend, shop for wedding bands, and choose brown tuxedos. Tori and Carlin go along as chaperones.
• Most people would consider 500-800 guests to be a massive wedding, but according to Nathan, "anything under 1,000 is a small wedding." Lawson agrees. Brandon, on the other hand, considers a small wedding to be one with around 50 people. Michaella and Brandon are going to have less attendees than all three previous Bates weddings.
• Although Michaella's wedding is going to be big, she and Brandon are committed to keeping it cost effective, which makes Gil very happy. "Sometimes when I see [my dad] crying when the girl is walking down the aisle, I wonder if he is crying because he is losing his girl, or if he is crying because he is seeing all the things he bought that he is just discovering," says Nathan. 

Bates Wedding Budget

The Bates are in wedding planning mode once again. In the following video, Gil and Kelly Bates sit down with their oldest daughter, Michaella, to discuss her budget and guest list. Less than four weeks to go until Michaella and Brandon tie the knot. After August 15th, there will only be 15 Bates wedding to go. No big deal, right?

Photos: Scavenger Hunt Engagement

Happy Monday! Take a look at these snapshots from Michael Bates and Brandon Keilen's engagement trip to Washington D.C.

Michael arrives in Washington D.C., thinking she is surprising Brandon.

 Michael and Brandon visit with two of Brandon's sisters, Becky and Angie.

 

Later, the four sightseers take a Ferris wheel ride and tour D.C.

Michael and Brandon are in a long-distance relationship, so they cherish every moment together.

The next morning, Michael and Brandon wake up before sunrise to visit the cherry blossoms at the Jefferson Memorial.

Brandon tells Michael that he has work to do, but he hands her the first clue of a scavenger hunt before leaving. 

Michael follows the clues across the city and ends up at Great Falls Park in Virginia, where Brandon is waiting to propose.

Brandon pulls out a ring. "Michael, I want to say three things to you. The first thing is: I love you. The second is: I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And the third is a question: Will you marry me?"

Michael is thrilled. "Yes!" she responds, with tears in her eyes. "I've wanted to from the very first day I met you."

The newly engaged couple shows the ring to their parents, who are standing nearby. 

Photos courtesy of UP

Michael or Michaella?

 

What is the story behind the oldest Bates daughter's name? When she was born, her parents named her "Michal," but when Gil and Kelly realized the negative connotation of the name while reading through their Bible, they changed the spelling to "Michael."

As a young child, Michael was unhappy about having a name that was traditionally male, so her family started calling her "Michaella." Today, she goes by either Michaella or Michael and does not prefer one over the other, but her legal name is still Michael.

Photo courtesy of UP

Bates Wedding #4

Wedding bells are ringing for another Bates couple. Brandon Keilen proposed to Michaella Bates on April 13th, and the two have chosen August 15th as their wedding date. They will tie the knot at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. The lovebirds plan to settle in Chicago.

Check in with Michaella and Brandon on season two of UP's Bringing Up Bates, which premieres June 4th.

 Michaella Bates

(The future Mrs. Brandon Keilen)

Engagement dinner with Michaella's parents, Brandon's parents, and Brandon's sisters

Photos courtesy of UP

16 Days!

Are you looking forward to the season two premiere of Bringing Up Bates? In just 16 days, the Bates family will return to UP with 13 new episodes. With Michaella's engagement and the arrival of two more grandchildren, this season will be filled with plenty of excitement (video below).

Being a Bates

Michaella Bates, 25, and Alyssa (Bates) Webster, 20, share memories from their childhood. "We've run out of hot water a lot," says Michaella, who recently became engaged to Brandon Keilen. Mark your calenders! Season two of Bringing Up Bates premieres June 4th at 9pm ET/8pm CT on UP.

Michaella is Engaged!

This just in. Michaella Bates is engaged to Brandon Keilen! Brandon popped the question in Great Falls, Virginia, where he set up a scavenger hunt to lead Michaella to the spot where he was waiting to propose. Season two of Bringing Up Bates premieres June 4th on UP!

 Brandon pops the question

 And Michaella says yes!

 Michaella's engagement ring

The couple shows the ring to their parents

Photos courtesy of UP

Throwback: Bates at the Beach

On this week's episode of Bringing Up Bates, Gil and Kelly and the Kids spent time at the beach in Clearwater, Florida. Check out these pictures of past Bates beach vacations.

 Gil Bates and Lawson Bates

Myrtle Beach, 1993

 Papa Bill and Zach Bates

Myrtle Beach, 1993

 Kelly Bates and Zach Bates

Myrtle Beach, 1993

 Gil and Kelly Bates with Lawson Bates, Erin Bates, 

Michaella Bates, and Zach Bates

Myrtle Beach, 1993

 Gil and Kelly Bates with Lawson Bates, Erin Bates, and Zach Bates

Myrtle Beach, 1993

 Gil and Kelly Bates with Michaella Bates, Erin Bates, Zach Bates, and Lawson Bates

Myrtle Beach, 1993

 Gil Bates with Zach Bates, Nathan Bates, Lawson Bates,

Erin Bates and Michaella Bates

1994

 Gil Bates with Nathan Bates and Lawson Bates

1994

 Michaella Bates

1994

 Bates family 

2006

 Bates family 

2006

Bates family 

2006

 Bates family 

2006

 Gil and Kelly Bates

2006

 Josie Bates

2007

Tori Bates and Addallee Bates 

2007

Brandon's Hidden Artistic Talent

Last week on Bringing Up Bates, the Bates clan celebrated Thanksgiving. Brandon Keilen, Michaella's boyfriend, filmed a video of himself sketching the Thanksgiving story and shared it with the family. "Mom didn't believe he did it, so Mom made him write it all over again," says Warden. Watch the clip below to see the artist at work.

"Tori, Hands Off!"

See what happens when Michaella and Tori take Brandon and the little Bates kids to an indoor bounce house.

"He had a bunch of excuses, so I just grabbed him and pulled him," says Tori. "And Michaella had a fit. She does not like people touching her boyfriend."

Tonight... An Update on Michaella's Courtship

Tonight's new episode of Bringing Up Bates is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. When Brandon Keilen travels to Tennessee for an extended visit, it quickly becomes clear that he is preparing to take the next step in his courtship with Michaella.

Tune in to UP at 9pm ET/8pm CT, and come back to the blog after the show for a written recap.

Recap: "Welcome Grandbaby Bates"

Tonight on Bringing Up Bates, "Welcome Grandbaby Bates"...

• Only 12 days until Bradley's due date! Whitney is excited, but Zach, who has more experience with babies, is nervous.
• While shopping for discount baby clothes at a thrift store, Zach and Whitney discover that they have slightly different tastes.
• "Is this cute?" Zach asks his wife. Whitney shakes her head. The father-to-be holds up another outfit: "Do you like this sweater thing?" "No, not really," Whitney replies. "But it matches his bedroom!" Zach protests. Whitney pats him on the shoulder and continues shopping.
• Bradley's nursery is nowhere near finished, so Chad comes over to lend a hand.
• Back at the Bates ranch, Gil and Kelly and the younger kids crowd around Kelly's phone to video chat with Alyssa and John. 
• "Whenever we video chat with Alyssa, you can't talk to her hardly," says Katie. "If you want to talk to her, you have to go in a room and lock yourself in there," adds Josie.
• Kelly takes Whitney out for lunch before the baby arrives. The mom of 19 brings Zach's baby book and presents it to her daughter-in-law as a gift.
• Kelly reads an entry she made when Zach was two-and-a-half years old: "Lately when Daddy comes home, you hold yourself back like a little gentleman, as hard as it is, and you say, 'Mommy first, Daddy,' then wait patiently for your turn of hugs and kisses."
  
• What does Kelly think about entering the grandmother stage? "Everybody is always telling us it's going to be better being grandparents because you send them home. I don't see how that can be true because we don't like sending them home!"
• Chad and Erin take Gil and Kelly on a double date to share some big news: They are expecting! But when Erin tells them it is a high risk pregnancy, Kelly breaks down crying. Erin has had three miscarriages.
• Chad and Erin hope to keep the news a secret for another couple weeks, but word gets out. "You think I can keep a secret like this for that long?" Kelly jokes.
• On Whitney's due date, the Bates ladies take her on a brisk walk to jump start labor. Brisk walks are one of the methods Kelly has used over the years.
• Later that night, Whitney starts having contractions. She remains calm, but Zach is anything but calm. Gil and Kelly and a few of the kids come over to hang out, but it turns out to be a false alarm. Whitney doesn't end up going to the hospital.
• Seven days past Whitney's due date, Dr. Vick, who has delivered the last three Bates babies, induces labor, or as Zach says, gives Bradley an "eviction notice." Whitney checks into the hospital at 6:00am. At 7:30, she receives her first dose of Pitosin.
• Contractions become more painful and frequent after she opts to have her water broken. "It's a lot harder watching than going through it myself," says Kelly, who tears up seeing her daughter-in-law in pain.
• After being in labor for a couple hours, Whitney requests an epidural. "Whoever doesn't get an epidural is crazy," she says.
• By 9:30pm, Whitney is 7-8 cm dilated. While she waits for Bradley's arrival, various members of the family stop by to visit. When it finally comes time to push, everyone but Zach, Kelly, Whitney's mom, and a few of Zach's sisters leaves the room.
• Bradley Gilvin Bates enters the world at 10:12pm on October 29th, 2014. He weighs 7lbs 10oz. "There's nothing like just holding him and seeing him for the first time," says Whitney.
• "It was a huge honor that Whitney invited us girls and let me go," says Michaella. "It was so special."

Photos courtesy of UP

Another Bates Wedding?

When does Michaella Bates plan to tie the knot with boyfriend Brandon Keilen? Find out in the following video:

Recap: "Training Up Bates"

This week on Bringing Up Bates, "Training Up Bates"...

• Gil and Kelly and 11 of the kids are headed to North Carolina to visit Kelly's mom, whom the children call Meema, and her three sisters, Kim, Beth, and Becca. Kelly helps the kids pack.
• To prepare for the trip, Gil and Kelly practice child training with the youngest ones.
• "Every once in a while, we will go somewhere out in public, and we'll realize, 'You know, we haven't spent quite as much time training the little guys,' because you forget, you get distracted," says Kelly.
• The older Bates kids say their parents have become less strict over the years. Kelly says it's because they know they might not have any more children, so they want to spoil the youngest ones. Gil says it's because they are tired.
• The kids practice "training up," which means standing in a line from youngest to oldest. 
• "Do your training during a time that is non-confrontational," says Gil. "Don't do your training when you get in the situation." 
• The 13 Bates pile into the van and head to North Carolina. "Nobody else is as blessed as I am," Meema says when they arrive at her house. "I don't know of a grandmother that has 33 grandchildren."
• The following day, the Bates visit Aunt Kim's flower shop. "Aunt Kim is like super amazing at crafts," says Josie. Kim and the kids make a banner for Bradley's nursery.
• "Jeb in the florist's is like what real life is like," says Gil. The two-year-old struggles to obey the "don't touch" rule and has to be pulled aside by Mom several times. 
• "Some people call it the 'terrible twos,"' says Kelly. "We call it the 'terrific twos,' but whatever you call it, the two age can be full of energy."
• Later, the Bates stop by a consignment store in search of clothing and toys that are 50% and 75% off. Their grand total is $329.30, which may sound like a lot, but Gil says they paid about $1,000 less than they would have if the items had been brand new.
• Back in Tennessee, Michaella, who is a full-time nanny, babysits two little boys. She says she wants as many children as she can have.
• "I'll probably be very strict with my children," says Michaella. "I was very grateful to have been raised that way. I loved the boundaries that my parents set, and I felt like I matured a lot faster because of it."
• When is Brandon planning to propose? "I don't see it being in the very near future, but he's full of surprises, so I honestly don't know," says Michaella. Her boyfriend is graduating from college soon but has liquidated his savings to pay for school. He wants to be more financially stable before he marries Michaella.
• Erin thinks she is pregnant, so she and Chad, who recently went through a miscarriage, head back to Dr. Vick's office to see if they are indeed expecting.
• "I was scared just because of all the memories of the last ultrasounds we had had," says Erin.
• When the ultrasound technician detects a heartbeat, Erin and Chad are elated. "I couldn't stop smiling, just cause everything was positive," says Erin. "It was just like, 'I've got a baby inside me, and his heart's beating.' I couldn't believe it."
• Since Erin has a blood clotting disorder, she has to take a heparin shot twice a day throughout her pregnancy. The doctor shows Chad how to administer the shot. Erin, who dreads needles, is nervous, but she says it will all be worth it when she holds the baby in her arms.  

Photos: A Bates Courtship

On this week's episode of Bringing Up Bates, 24-year-old Michaella Bates paid a surprise visit to her boyfriend, Brandon Keilen, who attends Bible college in Texas. Here are a few snapshots of the couple, who have been courting since December 30th, 2013. They hope to marry sometime this year, although there is no news of an engagement.

Photos: Courtesy of UP

Recap: "Courtship & Marriage"

Tonight on Bringing Up Bates, "Courtship & Marriage"...

• Gil and Kelly Bates understand that as their kids grow older, they are going to cut their own trails.
• "I think all of our children are going to make choices that maybe we didn't make," says Kelly. "But I think the core values, in spite of the little differences, are the same."
• For example, Zach and Whitney say they plan to let Bradley watch Pooh Bear, even though Zach's parents hardly allow their kids to watch any TV.
• Erin, who lives only a few miles away from her family, has Callie, Ellie, and Warden over for a sleepover. "It gets lonely," admits Erin. "I'm not used to being by myself, and I really don't like it."
• Chad returns home from work, and he and Erin share a hug and a kiss. Chad joins Erin and the kids in the kitchen as they finish making dinner. As part of the meal, Erin serves steamed broccoli, but her siblings aren't thrilled about trying it.
• Now that she is married, Erin has adopted a healthier lifestyle. "I have to be honest," she says. "My family tries to eat healthy." But with 19 kids, it isn't easy, especially since Kelly grew up on TV dinners.
• In Florida, Alyssa and John also live a quiet life as newlyweds. Alyssa misses her family but is able to chat with them often.
• "It is terribly hard having Alyssa in Florida because I always want to go see her," says Gil.
• Back at the Bates house, Michaella packs for a trip to see her boyfriend, Brandon, who is away at Bible college in Texas. Gil prays with his daughter before taking her to the airport.
• Michaella is chaperoned by her friend, Amber. She and Brandon share a few heartfelt hugs when Michaella arrives. Brandon is thrilled to see his girlfriend. He had no idea she was coming to visit.
• Gil and Kelly discuss courtship standards. "We as parents set general parameters," says Kelly. They instruct their children to keep Christ at the center of their relationships and to remain pure. They would like each of their kids to save their first kiss for their wedding because they know that kissing in private can lead to other temptations.
• Gil and Kelly admit that they did not save their first kiss for their wedding. Zach and Whitney intended to but ended up kissing beforehand. They say their parents were very understanding when they admitted what they had done. Zach and Whitney encourage their siblings not to follow in their footsteps.
• Michaella and Brandon plan to save their first kiss for their wedding, but they exchange frontal hugs when they greet each other and say goodbye.
• Zach accompanies Whitney to her last doctor appointment before Bradley's birth. The couple is able to see a clear picture of Bradley's face on the ultrasound.
• Erin and Chad visit a doctor to attempt to find out why they have not been able to sustain a pregnancy. He runs tests and instructs Erin to take an aspirin each day, as well as extra folic acid. Erin and Chad are thrilled to have a remedy to try, and they both give the doctor a hug before leaving.
• "...We are very hopeful for the future," says Chad.