Bains Family Update

Hello everyone...I'm sorry it has been so long since my last post. Things were a tad crazy around here for a while. For now everything is back to "normal" at least for a tiny bit longer. Then who knows what will happen :) Here is what has been going on with us! Andrew is almost 100% better!!! He is still under Dr.'s orders to eat soft food after our little emergency room visit last week. Oh, yes...he had some bleeding that led to an emergency room visit at 1:30 a.m., then an ambulance ride to another hospital, more ER visits and then a final day long admittance into the hospital for observation. Needless to say we are so grateful that he has healed and is almost fully recovered (Praise the Lord). He has been back at work for over a week now, I'm still not sure if he would recommend getting your tonsils out :) As for me, I am quite grateful that my stint as a nurse has come to an end. I had no idea how emotionally draining it would be to see the man I love in so much pain. I felt so helpless and frustrated by it. It's only by God's grace that I didn't have a complete breakdown...or go into labor ;) Speaking of labor...out little girl is due any day now. Her official due date is this Saturday; September 15th. I went to the Dr.'s office yesterday Sept. 11th and while I have started to dilate it it looks like it might be a while. I was told that if she is late they would induce me next Friday (the 21st). While I was a tad disappointed that I was not further along, I am excited that we will be able to hold our little girl by next Friday at the latest!!! We promise we will post pictures as soon as we have them. :) Thank you all for your prayers and sweet emails and cards!! We cherish your love and support!

Andrew's Surgery

"Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

Andrew had his tonsillectomy this morning and now he is home resting. Everything from

the pre-op through to the surgery through post-op went so smoothly and perfectly!! We are so grateful for such a smooth procedure. The doctor said that everything went fine and that there were no complications :) The recovery time is from 7-10 days, Andrew is in bed and will be in a lot of pain for at leasta week. So far he has been a fantastic patient. He has been drinking his fluids and trying to eat some food. Sue (Andrew's mom) flew into town yesterday to help me take care of him, and tolook after me. Since we are full term on Friday :) My doctor said our daughter has turned upside down and is beginning to drop, so she is looking to be right on time (about 3 weeks to go)! We are so excited to finally meet our little girl, but she has promised her Dad that she will wait until he is feeling better, or at least off drugs before she makes her entrance :)

Anyway that's the update, please continue to pray for Andrew as the pain in suppose to get much worse before it gets better :) Thank you as usual for all your love, prayers and support.

I will keep you posted :)

North Carolina Baby Shower :)

Saturday I was given a shower by my girlfriends here in N.C.! It was such a wonderful morning, all these gals are from our church Sunday school class. They have become such great friends and a wonderful support team.

While the ladies were having the shower, the husbands were all out doing things together. Andrew and I are so overwhelmed by the love and support that we (and our little girl) have been given. It is truly a gift from the Lord.

8 Months and Counting!!!

Here are the newest belly shots...at week 32. Yep I'm getting pretty large, and its not just my belly :) We had our latest doctors apt. today and she said everything is looking great! The baby's heartbeat is "perfect and strong", my blood pressure is low and everything is looking great! I can't tell you what an amazing gift this healthy pregnancy has been.

The Lord has continued to watch over me and the baby and while I'm sure we are both getting pretty uncomfortable we are doing well!

I will be posting some new nursery pictures in the next couple weeks...not much has been done to it lately. Its coming together and I think she will love it!! :)

*The Family 4th of July & Shower!!! *

The reason Andrew and I came home around the 4th is because my parents have been hosting the family 4th of July party for years and years, and it has turned into a family reunion. We figured there was no better time for us to come visit and be able to see EVERYONE!! My wonderful Aunt Kathy, Aunt Dorothy and Sister Alison threw us a family baby shower after lunch during the 4th of July. There is no way to express how overwhelmed by all the love and good wishes we were.

Several of my family member took pictures and I will post them as soon as I get them. (trust me there are a ton :) but until then ...here is a small preview!!!

Aunt Dorothy, Alison, me and Aunt Kathy.

Thank you again ladies for the beautiful shower!!

Ali and I under all the cute baby goodies

The cute baby goodies!!

The cake that matched the invitation...too cute :)

HOLLYWOOD Bowl with Friends :)

What would a trip to LA. around the 4th be without the annual Hollywood Bowl Fireworks extravaganza!! Andrew and I were so excited to see our old gang and to spend some time together. Thank you all so much for coming and spending the evening with us! We miss you and are so grateful for you and the blessings you have been to us :)

Pretty in Pink Girlfriends Shower :)

My wonderful girlfriends threw us a beautiful baby shower on our visit. It was at Becky's house and all the girls contributed and went WAY above and beyond. Everything was PERFECT!! We had my favorite Mexican food, wonderful pink cupcakes and pink chocolate dipped strawberries. The house, luncheon and decorations were all beautiful!

We all had to stitch a square for a Baby quilt that Becky and her Mom are putting together. I can not wait to see it all finished!

I can not tell you how blessed and loved I felt to see my friends. I cherished the time we were able to spend and I am so overwhelmed by the loved they poured out on me and the little girl that is going to make them all Aunts!

Thank you again so much Ladies...you are precious to me :)

Baby Girl Bains' California Nursery :)

When Andrew and I arrived home for our visit my family had a big surprise for us! My Mom, Dad, sister (Ali), brother in law (Andy) and Grandma had turned my old bedroom into a nursery for our little girl when she comes to visit :) There were gift tags on everything in the room stating who was giving her each item. My sister being the decorator that she is designed the room and coordinated everything. Everyone pitched in to surprise us and make a beautiful home away from home for our little girl :)

The crib and changing table with my old stuffed animals.

The crib and adorable "Nursery Rhyme" bedding. The clothes on the hooks were also gifts for the baby. The USC rocking horse is a gift from my Dad.

Close up of the baby quilt, and my old Winnie the Pooh.

Another baby quilt and some of the amazing "quilt" paint job Alison and Andy did for her!

The bed for Mommy (me) to rest on while she is taking a nap! (wishful thinking :)

The Cherry Blossom Tree

Andrew spent most of Saturday painting the tree for the nursery. It is so beautiful and I know that Baby Girl is going to love it (and her Daddy) :)

Yum Yum !!!

Lauren just tagged me for this food game.

So here are the rules: 1. Link to name of person that tagged you. 2. Include state and country you live in. 3. List top 5 favorite local restaurants. 4. Tag 5 other people and let them know they've been tagged.

I lived in L.A. for 26 years and then moved to Raleigh N.C. So I am going to cheat a bit and list a couple of my favorites in N.C and then favorite and current cravings back in the City of Angeles!

Tito's Tacos -L.A.

OK..right now this is my craving! I have been craving Titos since I was still in my first trimester (Im now in my third)! They have the BEST TACOS in the world!! Its a tiny little shop, you have to wait in line (always) and place your order at the window...then good luck finding a seat :)

Gyu-Kaku - L.A. Mmmm...Yummy...this is a great restaurant to go with a couple of friends. They bring you delicious thinly sliced pieces of Kobe beef, veggies and all kind of other goodies. You cook the food yourself. It was Andrew and my favorite restaurant, we are praying one comes to Raleigh soon!

The Peak City Grill- N.C. A great little restaurant! They change their menu monthly so that they only use fresh, in season ingredients. They have the most incredible Sunday morning brunch. My favorite appetizer in the Down South Shrimp Hush Puppies. They are AMAZING!! So if anyone wants to come visit, I'll take you there :)

NoFo at the Pig- N.C. This is a restaurant/ amazing gift shoppe. Its called at the pig because the building used to be a Piggly Wiggly. Now its an amazing cafe. I have only eaten lunch their and I keep getting the same thing (shrimp BLT) but no all the other dishes are wonderful as well.

Sushi-Thai- N.C

Fantastic sushi and tempura!! They have a full menu for Japanese food and then a full menu for Thai. Andrews new favorite is the shrimp tempura roll. Yummy!!