Update on Lydia's Family

The Bates family continues to pray for a very imminent situation involving Lydia (Romeike) Bates and her family. As we recently shared, Lydia’s family has been suddenly ordered to prepare for deportation. Her parents, Uwe and Hannelore Romeike, have seven children. This deportation even includes their two married children, whose spouses are Americans. Thus, it would affect Trace, Lydia, Ryker, and the entire Bates family greatly. The Romeikes are Germans who have been living in the United States legally for 15 years.

Uwe was a guest on The Glenn Beck Program on September 28th. Those interested can listen on Apple Podcasts or on the Blaze Media website. The interview starts at 1:25. The petition referred to by Glenn Beck can be found on the HSLDA website.

Ryker Bates' Birth Story

It has been exactly two weeks since Ryker Cruise Bates' birth. In addition to adjusting to life with a newborn, Trace and Lydia have also been dealing with a very difficult and emotional situation, as Lydia and her family are facing possible deportation in the coming weeks. The new parents still took the time to post part one of their birth story. 

Trace and Lydia Bates: Our Birth Story (Part 1)

Lydia's Family Faces Deportation

With the Bates' reality TV involvement, Trace Bates is no stranger to the public eye, but some of our readers might not know that Lydia's family has also been featured in the news, and that started long before she and Trace were married. 

The Romeikes are originally from Germany and have lived in the United States for 15 years. They moved to this country in search of asylum because they wanted the freedom to homeschool, and as a result have garnered attention from the media. Just before baby Ryker's arrival, the Romeike family went to a routine check-in at an immigration office and was told to return one month from that day for self-deportation. Even though Lydia is married to a U.S. citizen, she is also facing deportation. Lydia's parents, Uwe and Hannelore Romeike, have seven children. Five are adults, and two are under the age of 18.

We encourage you to pray for Trace, Lydia, and the Romeike family as they face this potentially life-changing situation. Trace uploaded a new YouTube video explaining the details (link below). You can also take a look at a 2014 ABC News article written about the Romeikes to learn even more about the family's case. According to the article, they were also facing possible deportation at that time but ended up having their deferred action status extended indefinitely.

Trace and Lydia Bates: We are Facing Deportation (video)

Welcome Baby Ryker!

Trace and Lydia Bates welcomed Ryker Cruise Bates at 11:54pm on September 12th, 2023. He weighed 6 lbs 8 oz.

Baby Ryker Coming Soon

UPDATE: Baby Ryker arrived on September 12th, and both he and Lydia are doing well. 

Trace and Lydia Bates are about to become parents! Their first child, whom they have already named Ryker Cruise Bates, will soon make his arrival. Lydia's check-in for her induction is at 12am on Tuesday, September 12th. The expectant parents plan to have both their moms coming and going throughout the labor and to have Josie be the photographer for the actual delivery. They discuss their birth plan in their latest video.

Trace and Lydia Bates: Birth Plan Video

Update from Katie and Travis

It's been a little while since we've heard how everything is going for Katie and Travis Clark. They recently vacationed in Aruba with Travis' family, and after returning home, they posted a life update video. Katie has had a kidney stone for several months and is hoping to have it removed next month, Travis has music announcements coming soon, and Remi's puppies are growing up. For more on each of these subjects, as well as an update on little Hailey, check out the Clarks' YouTube video (link below). 

Katie and Travis Clark: Life Update Video

Lydia Bates' Induction Date

Lydia Bates is approaching her due date with Ryker Bates. Baby boy is measuring small, but the doctor is concerned about possible placenta deterioration and has decided that the birth needs to take place on the early side. For that reason, Lydia will be induced at 38 weeks, on September 12th in the early morning. Expectant parents Trace and Lydia share the details in their most recent YouTube video (link below).

Trace and Lydia Bates: 35-Week Baby Update

Baby Paine Name Reveal

Lots of baby news for the Bates family! Whitney Bates just delivered Lily Jo Bates, Lydia Bates is nearing her due date with Ryker Cruise Bates, and Josie Balka recently announced that she is expecting #3. 

Erin and Chad Paine also revealed news of their own. They have a name for their 6th child, a boy who is due in early December. Like older brother Carson (Charles Stephen Paine IV), this little boy will have a family name. Both Erin's dad and grandfather are William Gilvin, so she and Chad picked the name William Gage. The expectant parents discuss that and answer other questions in their most recent YouTube video (link below).

Erin and Chad: Q&A and Baby Name Reveal Video

Welcome, Lily Jo Bates

There's always room for one more. Zach and Whitney Bates welcomed their fifth child and third daughter yesterday, August 15th. Lily Jo Bates weighed in at 6 lbs, 12 oz. This little girl shares a middle name with her grandmother Kelly and late great-grandmother Betty. Do you think this name will be used for any future Bates grandchildren? Lily's photo can be found on TV Shows Ace.

Whitney in Labor

Update: Baby girl Bates arrived!

After our post yesterday about Josie Balka's pregnancy and the four Bates babies that will be joining the family between now and March 2024, something very exciting happened. Whitney Bates announced that her labor with Baby #5 had begun! News of the little girls' arrival should be coming soon.