While the Bates family is on hiatus from their UP TV's reality show "Bringing Up Bates," they welcomed a new addition to the family. A baby was born early this month, just before the sophomore season of their reality show premieres.
Erin, the third in the huge Bates brood, finally welcomed her first child with husband Chad Paine after suffering from a miscarriage early in their marriage. Their newborn son, named Charles Stephen IV, was supposed to be born on June 8 but was delivered on May 14 instead.
The new parents call their son Carson, the third grandchild of Gil and Kelly Jo. The first is Bradley Gilvin, who was born in 2014 to the eldest Bates son Zach and his wife Whitney Perkins; and the second is Allie Jane, born only last April to Alyssa, the sixth Bates child, with husband John Webster.
Aside from the new baby, the Bates will also be busy in the coming days to plan the wedding of Michaella, the second in the family, with Brandon Keilen.
Following their long courtship, the 25-year-old videographer/ graphic designer surprised Michaella at the end of a treasure hunt in Great Falls, Virginia. They made their engagement announcement on April 13, after which the couple finally made it known that their wedding will be held at the Wallace Memorial Baptist Church in Knoxville on Aug. 15.
Their wedding announcement posted on the UP TV website states:
As we prepare for our wedding and the start of our new life together, it's impossible to express all of the emotions that flood our hearts but excitement is definitely beginning to escalate! Our hope is that the whole day is a reflection of God's unending and amazing love and we can't wait to share it with our family and dear friends!"
Michaella and Brandon will reportedly move to Chicago right after the wedding.
The Bates are known to be close friends with another mega reality show family, the Duggars, featured in TLC's "19 Kids and Counting." While the Duggars are currently involved in a big controversy regarding the eldest son Josh's past child molestation charges, the Bates have yet to make a statement about the said scandal.
"Bringing Up Bates" season 2 is slated to air on Thursday, June 4.
