Bringing Up Bates’ Michael “Michaela” Bates and Brandon Keilen have fostered their third baby.
“Since I last posted we’ve welcomed a new foster baby into our family,” Michaela, 36, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, October 11. “Life has been full lately. There has been so much happening, and I haven’t taken the time to sit down and share much of it.”
The reality star, who married Brandon, 37, in August 2015, and already shares two foster sons with him, added that her family is relishing in this special time. “We’ve had so much to celebrate as a family and so many reminders of just how precious life and family are,” she continued, adding that her father, Gil Bates, is continuing his recovery from a recent heart attack.
The baby news comes amid fans of the reality series questioning the couple about their plans to adopt their foster children in the future. Both Michaela and Brandon addressed the fan questions in an August YouTube video.
“Life continues to be an adventure there, and I know somebody had made some comments somewhere in reference to an adoption choice,” Brandon began in their August 22 clip. “We’re loving the boys as long as we can, but that’s not something that’s in our court at this point in time.”
Michaela added at the time, “I feel like we get a lot of comments through social media, you know, ‘I hope the boys stay with you forever’ or, ‘It’s time for you to send them back home.’ This is our first time doing it, but we’re just a home to love the boys as long as they need it.”
She concluded, “I mean, it’s not really up to us what happens. We’re just here to be here for them and to support them.”
News of Michaela and Brandon’s latest foster addition comes amid Gil and his wife, Kelly Jo Bates, sharing a detailed update on the status of Gil’s recovery. “I’ve been missing on here for a few weeks, but here’s a little glimpse of life after Gil’s heart attack…” a Friday, October 9, post shared via the official Bates family’s Instagram account began. “We’ve been showered by love from children and grandchildren, with a house full of noise & laughter — the BEST medicine for recovery! We’ve also received so many sweet texts & calls from friends checking on Gil! Our church family has been such a huge blessing as well!”
The family revealed last month that Gil had suffered a heart attack just days after son Warden married Kaybrie Bates for a second time. (Gil and Kelly Jo are the parents of 19 children, whom they welcomed after marrying in 1987.)
The medical emergency came after Gil had felt an “unusual feeling in his chest” off and on, before he decided to visit the ER and was promptly “whisked into a room [and] … told he was having a mild heart attack.”
