BitterApple

She may have, but it's still kind of sad. Tiffany has no friends her own age and nothing to fill her time with if she can spend an entire week hanging around with Callie (on top of all the other weeks she's visited). It's great they've developed a bond, but Tiffany is a married woman in her 20s. Her social circle should consist of more than just Lawson and a teenager.

I just watched the video. Alyssa definitely knew about the "surprise." She barely leaves the house and certainly doesn't leave long enough to allow for cake baking and decorating. Even so, I agree she could've faked being a little more enthusiastic. The girls were clearly excited and they didn't get so much as a thank-you, let alone a hug. Alyssa totally ignored them while they sang Happy Birthday, and was focused on Rhett instead. It's weird though how all the comments are so fawning. I get that fans aren't going to be as critical as snarkers, but how do they not notice the blatant favoritism?

I'm honestly so embarrassed for Tiffany at this point. Imagine going from roles in Marvel movies to being babysat by a fourteen year-old. What's even the point? Is Callie supposed to fight off intruders if they break into the home? Don't they have a German Shepherd for that?

Their upstairs couch is leather, which really isn't a kid-friendly material. Alyssa said it was cracked and peeling, so it's probably old. One option is to buy something reasonable and use washable slipcovers, but John seemed pretty adamant about not spending money. I agree not replacing the car is a more serious issue. If they bought it used ten years ago, it's got to be on its' last legs. John's excuse of "it still works" was pretty lame. That's not very reassuring when you're talking about the safety of your family. And news flash, John, but kids are kids. Even the most fastidious six year-old will drop some crumbs. Do a weekly vacuum and clean-out, and problem solved.

Alyssa and John released a new Q&A. They were asked if they planned on having more kids and they said "we'll see." Gold stars for everyone who predicted Alyssa would double back on her previous claim that she was done. I imagine it's no longer good enough to have one boy. Now Rhett needs a brother.

It seems like Alyssa had a lot of expectations tied up in having a boy and the reality has been a bit of a letdown. I'm sure friends and family were genuinely happy for her, but there just isn't going to be as much fanfare for a fifth kid. Not to mention, the sisters who are competitive breeders already had sons, so she's not winning on that front. Also, and forgive me Lord, Rhett's been in an awkward phase for a while. He really isn't one of those babies people will gush over, so perhaps the lack of social media attention is upsetting her as well. I know Alyssa claims she doesn't like the spotlight, but let's be real. You aren't showing off your house and matchy-matchy kids on Instagram just for the fun of it. She lives for the validation just as much as her sisters. I do agree she needs professional help. She's been looking run down and depressed for a while.

Not sure if you guys saw this, but Alyssa posted for her birthday and it's something. I wonder what she meant by "different life circumstances and shifts in relationships." Is she talking about her family or local friends? I can understand that the time around her birthday would be bittersweet due to the loss of her grandmother, but dreading the day is a bit extreme. It seems like there's a lot going on behind the scenes, aside from being overwhelmed with motherhood.

And that's on top of the Frappucino with whipped cream Carlin had for breakfast. She better thank her lucky stars she's still young, because that post-35 metabolism crash is gonna hit hard.

They've mentioned testing multiple times on their YouTube videos, and IIRC, Tiff had an ultrasound at one point. I'm not sure if she really thought she was pregnant or her period was half a day late and it was wishful thinking, but they've been pretty open about trying for a baby. This might sound messed up, but I actually hope the lack of conception is due to Lawson not wanting sex or not following the doctor's orders. At some point in the future Tiffany may have a different husband who adores her and it would sad if she wanted children and couldn't have them.

I'm sure it isn't helping that the couple Tiff is closest to (Nathan and Esther) are totally smitten and in love and make no secret that they're having lots of sexy times. I imagine it's hard being around them and going home with a husband who gives you "best buddy" cards and seems marginally attracted to you at best.

From everything I've read, it takes years to overcome religious abuse. I don't think it's quite so easy to say "I'll stop at two or three" when your worth is tied to how many kids you can pop out. I saw the pictures and I agree, Alyssa looks exhausted and dead-eyed. She's talked about having a hard transition from four to five, so maybe Rhett isn't the easiest baby. She's also said she works crazy hard to lose baby weight and I can't help but wonder if that's a big part of her problem. If she's over-exercising and calorie restricting, that'll wear you out pretty quickly. FWIW, I don't know why she stresses over it. She's height/weight proportionate and doofy John couldn't land anyone as hot on his best day, so he's not going anywhere.

Tiffany, put the broom down, sweetie. No matter how hard you try, these bigots will never accept you. Not to mention, there's plenty of able-bodied people living in that home capable of cleaning up their own shit. And to think, she gave up a role in a Netflix series to settle for this. 😥

I get the sense their fans don't have any more brain power than the Stew Crew. Speaking of which, what's up with Evan and Carlin glomming onto Zach and Whit lately? It seems like they're together all the time now. Have Evan's parents finally set some boundaries? Are they planting themselves at Zach's for the yummy food? It seems like things had cooled off for a while, but now they're back to being besties. It's so weird.

It was real slick of them too. Adults aren't going to be rude and tell off a kid. They'll just take the tract and toss it in the trash. It might have been a different story with John handing them out. It sucks poor Allie had to be the sacrificial lamb, but that's pretty much the story of her entire life.

I swear she pads, top to bottom or she's photoshopping. She isn't nearly as exaggerated in group photos and live action.

Alyssa and John are such assholes. That poor child can't enjoy anything, can she? The only reason they made her do that was to appease their conservative followers.

Excuse my language, but Carlin is so fucking stupid. Of course a baby is going to be drawn to bright, shiny, ball-shaped objects and is going to chuck them. It doesn't occur to her to keep breakables out of reach? And while I don't think there's a right or wrong time to decorate, I'm not sure I'd do so this early. If you're already putting up the tree and making cookies, what's left to keep the kids excited seven weeks from now? The pajamas are impractical and ridiculous but they were freebies, so Layla must wear them. 🙄

God bless Lydia. I think I'd rather be deported than do life with that rube.

Personally I think the keyhole pout looks stupid and unnatural, but it's a huge trend with the Gen Z crowd. Considering a syringe of filler is around $600-$700, it's yet another exorbitant expense. Josie has also had a crap ton of Botox and filler, although she'll have to stop with the 'tox until after she gives birth. With regards to food, I think most of the Bates grands eat reasonable meals with occasional treats thrown in. Layla seems to be the only one whose diet is all junk. It's sad though because she's really lagging developmentally. She should be on par with Kaci and Willow, but in terms of speech and growth, she's more like Maci and Hazel, who are much younger. Carlin and Evan are really setting that poor kid up for a lifetime of issues due to their neglectful parenting.

People on Reddit were asking why they didn't go to Urgent Care, and your comment has me wondering: are urgent cares bound by the same laws as hospitals where they can't deny you treatment? I know it may vary by state, but if not, that may explain why E&C didn't use one. They might have had to show proof of insurance or pay up front, and they didn't want to do that. They'd rather drag little Gypsy Rose Layla to the E.R. and make her wait six hours to get a bandaid.

Katie is still young and hasn't reached Alyssa-levels of awareness. And by that I mean realizing the nostalgic feelings of home she gets when she's at a big gathering is far different than everyday life. Katie also doesn't realize that aside from Carlin, everyone is pretty much doing their own thing. Alyssa, Erin, Nathan and Jackson don't even live in state, Lawson is in Nashville, and Michael and Tori don't hang out like that. Josie spends the majority of her time with her own friends and Kelton's family, and I don't think Katie is really close to Whitney. Addie, Ellie and Callie are too busy doing Kelly's job and cycling around as nannies, so that leaves....Carlin and Evan. Sure it would be great to have another lazy, non-working couple to pal around with, but I think Travis would quickly tire of E&C's all-consuming form of friendship.

When I saw that C&E invited Z&W to go camping, that was my first thought as well. They know Zach will do all the work and cook real food, and Bradley and Co. can keep Layla and Zade occupied so C&E don't have to deal with them. I remember last year's camping vlog where Layla was a good distance away, screaming for her parents attention and they were both ignoring her. Evan was on his laptop editing videos, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else, and Carlin was bored a/f. This year, they got Z&W as a buffer to provide entertainment.

Josie orders them wholesale and then resells them under the Effortless Beauty label.

Okay, everyone. I need your opinions. Did Carlin deliberately ignore a dress code? Notice who stands out in the family photo.... It seems like way too much of a coincidence that every Bates is in blue, deep navy or black (minus the bridesmaids) but Carlin is wearing bright ass gold. I know Tiffy and Esther wore pink, but they wouldn't be in the siblings-only picture. Even the dark green of the bridesmaid's dresses blends in. Did Carlin's Main Character Syndrome get the best of her?

That's awesome. Trying to lose weight in middle age sucks. I'm 45 and feel like I gain five pounds just walking by a dessert table. I know Kelly mentioned struggling to stick to a diet so hopefully she's found a regimen that works for her. I know everyone is doing those Ozempic shots, but I hope she didn't go that route. I've read there's a lot of side effects.