The Bates family keeps getting bigger — adding on to their own growing families.
On October 1, 2025, Tori Bates and her husband, Bobby Smith, revealed that they were expecting baby number six. (The couple, who wed in 2017, share sons Robert IV, Kolter and Weston Slade and daughters Charlotte and Cambree.)
“Well, it’s been a while since I’ve shown up here (apparently I only log in for life’s biggest moments 🙃) … but this one is too sweet not to share: Baby #6 is joining our crew in March 2026! 🍼💛,” Tori and Bobby shared via Instagram.
Meanwhile, Zach Bates and his wife, Whitney Bates, are also preparing to welcome their sixth baby.
Gil Bates and Kelly Jo Bates have 19 children, and for 10 seasons, their lives were documented on Bringing Up Bates. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Deal […]
“Ya know what they say … One’s company two’s a crowd, three’s a party, four’s a circus [and] five’s a team,” the couple — who also share sons Bradley, Jayden and daughters Kaci, Khloé and Lily Jo — wrote over a joint Instagram video in September 2025. “And six is a whole squad!!!!”
Keep scrolling to see more Bates family members that are expanding their families in 2025 or 2026:
Tori Bates
Tori Bates Courtesy of Tori Bates/Instagram
In October 2025, Tori and Bobby announced on social media that they were preparing to welcome baby number six in March 2026.
“Baby #6 is joining our crew in March 2026! 🍼💛,” the pair wrote in a joint Instagram account alongside several family photos. ”Life has been too full of little feet and sticky kisses to post much, and while our days may be loud and our hands always full, our hearts have never been richer in love. Watching Kade, Kolter, Charlotte, Cami, and Slade prepare to welcome their baby sibling is the sweetest reminder that love only grows deeper with each new little life. 💕.”
Tori and Bobby, who also share kids Kade, Kolter, Weston Slade, Charlotte and Cambree, ended their post by saying they are “so grateful to be living this life, experiencing more of God’s richest blessings with each passing year. ✨.”
Zach Bates
In September 2025, Zach and Whitney shared that their sixth baby was on the way.
“Ya know what they say … One’s company, two’s a crowd, three’s a party, four’s a circus [and] five’s a team. And six is a whole squad!!!!” the couple, who also share kids Bradley, Jayden, Kaci, Khloé and Lily Jo, said in an Instagram post on their joint account.
The Bates family continues to keep growing. Gil Bates tied the knot with Kelly Bates in 1987, and the duo went on to welcome 19 kids: Zachary, Michaela, Erin, Lawson, Nathan, Alyssa, Tori, Trace, Carlin, Josie, Katie, Jackson, Warden, Isaiah, Addallee, Ellie, Callie, Jud and Jeb. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters […]
Lawson Bates
Lawson and his wife, Tiffany Bates, revealed in June 2025 that their second little one was on the way.
“Our family’s sequel is officially in production 🎞️🍼,” the pair, who also share son Will, wrote via Instagram. “BABY 2 COMING WINTER 2025 🌟.”
Josie Bates
In July 2025, Josie, who is married to Kelton Balka, shared that she was expecting her fourth baby. The couple also share kids Willow, Hazel and Miles.
“Baby Balka #4 🫶🏻So excited that we get to love another little baby, truly the sweetest blessing!” she wrote via Instagram alongside a video of her finding out with a pregnancy test that she was expecting.