Thompson Life Update.

We're officially residing in Cincinnati, OH. This last month has been a whirlwind, for lack of a better descriptor. We moved across country, unloaded, went to Young Life camp, unpacked, went to Phoenix, AZ, unpacked, Jeff started his new job, had visitors from Hilton Head... and now here we are.

All the while I've been maintaining my Etsy Shop, Our Baby Thompson Love, AND officially become a stay at home mom. It's been so crazy and we're ready to start fresh as a family of three and "relearn" how to live in Cincinnati.

We are temporarily living in Jeff's grandpa's house for FREE, so we can't complain at all. But we are beginning to explore different areas within the city and decide where we want to buy our first home. We are both excited about this, and are hoping to find a house that needs some substantial renovations/updates. I'm sure that seems crazy, but there will never be another time that we are living for free with no strings attached, allowing us an unlimited timeline and extra resources to renovate and make a house our first home! I cannot even begin to describe how eager I am to start this process, but I am also practicing patience and know it will be in God's timing. Our plan is that our house hunt will officially begin in early November, and realistically will continue well into the spring.

In other news, I'm training for a marathon. Perfect timing, right? It's been going well so far, although it's hard to carve out the time, we {Jeff and I} are making it a priority and he's supporting me as much as he can. He is also LOVING the time he's getting with Sullivan one-on-one while I go running, especially since he's adjusting to only seeing her for 2 hours a day, before bedtime {and weekends of course}.

I have lots of projects in the working: painting a lot of furniture, reupholstering our new Craigslist dining room chairs, some general decorating, and my favorite- planning for Sullivan's FIRST birthday party. I don't want to start a habit of doing over the top parties EVERY year, but how could we not for her very first?

Here's a couple pictures from the past month or so:

Life Update

We've been busy! My mom came to visit, Jeff went to LA, we spent a day in Charleston with my mom {they overlapped each other one day}, Sullivan turned 6 months old, we spent the weekend at another Young Life camp, had Sullivan's 6 month pictures taken, celebrated my first official Mother's Day, and Jeff and I have been on this "21 Day Fix" with daily workouts and a meal plan to follow.

I won't go into depth about anything. What I will say is that WE MOVE IN 40 days!!!!! Whaaaaaat?

My mom came to visiting while Jeff was away in LA. She hadn't seen Sullie since Christmas. 

The baby rocking chair. Had to snap another picture in it!

Charleston day. 

Happiest girl. 

SIX MONTHS! Can't believe it. 

Young Life Family Camp Weekend @ Carolina Point

My mothers day present was her 6 month photo shoot!

Pretty Mother's Day flowers. 

My favorite thing right now, during out cleanse. 

Stay Home or Work.

As we are preparing to move back to Ohio {which I guess this is my official announcement, ha}, we are also faced with the BIG decision of whether or not I will work. I have so many mixed feelings about this. I have been VERY lucky that the past two years I've been able to work privately for a family {but still within a school setting}. I am a "private" intervention specialist at a preparatory school {and I coach cheerleading which took about 15-20 hours a week}.  I LOVE what I'm doing, but it's not technically a "real" job. I'm not paid by the school, I don't have benefits, no classroom or personal space. The school has really embraced my position and have treated me as if I'm a "real" teacher. They've even sent multiple families my way, to see if I'd be willing to take on another student.

Since having Sullivan I work 3 days a week {4 hours a day}. We don't pay for child care, because we have a wonderful friend who watches baby once a week. We have some other great women who are willing to occasionally watch her, and then Jeff keeps her one or two days. It has been such a blessing to have help when family isn't near by.

So the reasons we are even considering the idea of me working are strictly financial and planning for the future. I should mention that we want to have at least three kids, but REALLY want four. Plus we would love to adopt {at least one child}. If I could work for the next 3 years or so, it would really help us to "get ahead" and really prepare for our future goals and children. We definitely DON'T want me to work when we have multiple children, and in 3 years or so Jeff will be more established in his new career. So working for a few years when we only have one or two kids might be really helpful.

I wasn't even considering job searching or the idea of working until I had SEVERAL {possible} opportunities come my way. One of the jobs offers more flexibility {while still being full time} than a teaching career would. I can't bare the thought of Sullivan spending 40 hours a week with anyone else. Best case scenario, I would get off work by 4, by the time we got home and settled it'd probably be 5, and her bedtime routine starts at 7:15. That's MAYBE 20 hours with her Monday-Friday.

I know myself and I know that I will struggle with feelings of jealousy and bitterness towards whoever got the gift of spending so much time with her everyday. I would pick her up and THEY would be the one telling ME what her schedule is, what she liked, etc. I don't think I could handle it.

I may be wrong, I have NO prior experience in this area! ha. So if ANY has some insight PLEASE share. Right now I am leaning towards wanting to work {again temporarily, like three years}.

Hello... who WOULDN'T want to spend all day with this girl. {These are two moments I would have missed had I been at work}. 

Short Hair, Don't Care.

I finally did it. After growing my hair out for six+ years, I chopped it off and donated it! I originally started growing my hair out to donate it, but to be honest I started to like it... and got possessive. I procrastinated this haircut for three years. I really wanted to do something new, and when better to chop off all your hair than right after you have a baby, right? Part of me DIDN'T want to get the haircut right now, for that exact reason... everyone thinking it's a #typicalmom move. ha. Luckily I decided I didn't really care what people thought. 

I went into the salon with all my picture of "the look" I was going for {I really shouldn't bother, it never looks like Jennifer Aniston anyways}. Although I could have kept my hair pretty long and still donated the 10 inch minimum, I decided to go more drastic.

I donated my 15 inch {super thin} pony tail to Locks of Love. It was super easy, the salon I went to handled everything for me! 

Here's some pictures: before, during, and after! {So funny and random, but a friend happened to be at the salon too and took a few pictures! So great!} Also, excuse the creepy {school closet/bathroom where I use my breast pump} selfies. I just wanted to make sure I officially documented the length of my hair RIGHT before. 

J. Crew Factory tee//old J.Crew necklace similar here
Also- I didn't get highlights, haven't colored my hair in YEARS. 

Wisdom-less.

I had my wisdom teeth {all 4} out a week ago {from tomorrow}. Yes, I'm 25 and just now having them removed... why? because my childhood dentist was apparently not good at reading X-rays. I was told I was in the clear for getting my wisdom teeth extracted, but obviously not. I found out while I was pregnant that I needed to have them... how? because they were coming in! I needed to wait until I had Sullivan to go get the X-rays and get the ball rolling.

I didn't know what to expect with the procedure. I was NOT expecting to need an IV for the anesthesia. I HATE them! Surprisingly, the surgery took less than an hour. I was literally in and out in 45 minutes, that was also unexpected. 

I wasn't super funny afterwards, no David after dentist over here, but I did send a few funny videos to family/friends and had a good time in the Starbucks drive thru! The recovery was fine- I wasn't able to nurse Sullivan for 24 hours and I only ate soup and apple sauce for 3 days. A bruise showed up on my jaw on day 3 too. 

All in all I think I'm pretty lucky. No dry socket, pretty quick recovery, and minimal puffiness. I never  needed took any of the pain meds either, just toughed it out with Tylenol. Here's a series of embarrassing pictures of me after...

On another note, my mother-in-law and Jeff's aunt came for a long weekend. It was great to have them here and they were able to help with Sullivan while I took extra naps during my "recovery". It's crazy that they hadn't seen her since Christmas because she has changed SO much!

All Things Green.

headband// Gymboree pants// designer tutu 

This is definitely overdue, but we had a pretty fun weekend {LAST WEEKEND} over here. Friday and Saturday were very chill. Sunday Jeff and I served at church, then went straight to friends' house {my only friend down here with a baby}. We had cabbage and brisket then headed out for the St. Patrick's Day parade. We'd never been before during out 3 years living here, so it was a fun experience. Here is something I learned... parades are really an excuse for adults to get wild. My mistake, I thought they were for kids and families.

Quarter of a Century.

Yep, I'm 25. I'd say I've accomplished a lot in my life already. I think I'm a little ahead of the game, and I like it. I am SO thankful that I met Jesus while still in high school, that I gave my life to Him early on. I didn't have to begin adulthood lost and hopeless. I was able to start my adult life and make all the important decisions that came my way, with Christ on my side. I was confident that I had a purpose.. to serve Him in all that I do.

So, instead of wandering into adulthood uncertain, confused, and searching- I got married, THEN graduated college, moved, started my career, ended my career, started a family, and then decided to move again {I believe it's what the Lord had for MY life, everyone's path is different}. I didn't have to experiment to find my purpose or path, because I have Christ lighting the way and walking with me through life.

As I reflect back on these 25 year, I feel proud and I feel blessed, very blessed. He has certainly provided in HUGE ways, and given me a lot of responsibility, even when I feel unworthy. If ALL of these things have happened in just the first quarter of my life, I am literally ecstatic about what the other three-quarters of life has in store {assuming my life span is 100 years- HA}.

I literally feel like I was twenty-four 12 yesterday. Time is going so quickly, Sullivan is growing up SO fast. I want to appreciate, rejoice, and serve EACH and EVERY day that I am given to add on to this 25 years.

CHEER TO ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL 25 YEARS!! xoxo

great friends who threw me a SURPRISE birthday party! 

Sullie REALLY interested in my birthday breakfast pancakes

A year ago, life changed.

So exactly a year ago from today we discovered we were pregnant {and by we I mean I}. About a week earlier, I finally went to the store and bought an at home test- a box of three. Of course it was the kind with the pink lines... The first test I THINK said "no you're not pregnant" but those blurred lines {Robin Thicker anyone} are pretty tricky. So a week later, on Wednesday {3/6/13}, I took a second test. This time that second blurry pink line was definitely making an appearance. When I told Jeff he said "you probably did it wrong" and started googling about false positives. So later that night I too the last of my three tests, and that third test DEFINITELY confirmed that indeed, I was pregnant. But Mr. Skeptic wasn't so positive. The next day he was out of town all day, so I went and bought a DIFFERENT brand, the kind that literally says "pregnant" or "not pregnant", pretty cut and dry.  Sure enough my screen said "pregnant". I took a picture of that and text Jeff saying "I'm calling the Doctor".

It's funny thinking back because at this point I was working out a lot and was running a 10 mile race on that Saturay {3/9/13} the day after my birthday! But I had eaten an entire LARGE jar of whole pickles from Sams Club in two days. I mentioned that to friends at school and of course their reaction was "uhhh sounds like you're prego". To which I responded "no my body must just need extra sodium from running so much"- WHAT? I ran a full marathon a couple years ago and NEVER needed a extra large family sized jar of pickles {and juice}. 

So all of it came together to mean only one thing- WE WERE MOST CERTAINLY PREGNANT. I kid you not, after all of this Jeff was STILL not convinced. That's Friday we had a 2.5 hour drive to Jacksonville to celebrate my birthday and for the race. The whole way Jeff kept saying "well IF we're pregnant" "if we really are...." Finally I couldn't take anymore denial and let him have it. ha. 

Little did I know a year Iater our baby girl would be 4 months old and the sweetest, happiest, and BEST thing that would ever happen to us.  Life has changed drastically. We can't stay out past 7:30pm, we have to plan out our weeks down to the littlest details, and we would have a new purpose in life. Nothing we do can be without thoughtful consideration of Sullivan and what would be best for HER. It's wild to think that for the rest of our life we will put her {and all other children} best interest ahead of our own. WHOA. 

Funny story- after I ran that race last year, we got back to the hotel and the concierge asked how I did. At that exact moment I had the sudden urge to puke... And the only option was a bush right there. So I throw up in the bush, look back at the concierge, and run away crying. All while Jeff is standing there witnessing this hugely embarrassing moment. His response is "she's pregnant" and comes to find me hiding in the lobby. That was one of three times I puked during my pregnancy. 

Charleston Trip.

We went to my favorite place EVER Charleston, South Carolina. One of the many perks of living in Hilton Head is how conveniently close we are to so many neat places. This trip was sort of a birthday/Valentine's Day/relax after the banquet kind of trip. We have some great friends who are super generous and let us stay in their AMAZING house for the night! Look how beautiful it is, I just can't get over it! The house is right in the heart of the city, perfectly located between King St. and the Battery. Sunday we walked around and visited with a friend in college there. It was cool to see the College of Charleston "campus".  Monday morning Sullivan and I walked to King St. for Starbucks and did some browsing. Jeff met up with us later and we just walked around the city all day and met up with friends for lunch, before heading back to our island. I love the city life of being able to walk almost everywhere you need to go. This weekend i decided that one day, in the very far off future, that Jeff and I will retire to Charleston. i should have taken more pictures, there is SO much to see and explore. If you haven't been to Charleston PLEASE do yourself a favor and go, go, go!  

Baby Gap Dress//Gymboree Leggings
They have baby sized rocking chairs on the porch for their grandbabies... I die! 

She get her expressions from me

But she looks JUST like him

Trowback to our FIRST time in Charleston, March 2012

Valentine's Day, gone wrong.

So this Valentine's Day.. I actually cared. Jeff and I are not the most sentimental people around, and aren't particularly into holidays. But this year, I was excited, I guess having a baby makes things more fun to celebrate. I woke up early and made a special breakfast, I felt super good! The heart shaped Dove chocolates melted too quickly but it was super cute. I am investing in this for the future and other holidays. Jeff, Sullivan, and I had plans to head to Charleston in the afternoon. Once breakfast was cleaned up, I went to go finish packing. As I'm in my bedroom, Jeff starts yelling at me from the kitchen. See the pineapple in the purple bowl? Well I threw away what we didn't eat... I know it's a little wasteful {sorry}. It's also important to mention that it was canned {50 cent} pineapple, not fresh.

Well, as I was being yelled at for throwing away the fruit, I got super angry too. Obviously our issues and argument were not JUST about pineapple... it's never really just about pineapple, riiiight? I refused to go on our trip {despite REALLLLY wanting to go}. The day was fairly miserable, and at about 6pm we finally talked. Jeff went out and came back with all the fixins' for fondue and flowers for me AND Sullivan. After that, I got the nerve to ask if it'd be possible for us to still go up to Charleston the next day...

HAPPY {late} VALENTINE'S DAY. XOXO

Carter's Sweater//Converse Crib Shoes

Circo Sleep n' Play {similar here}

Baby Gap Love One PIece//DIY headband 

Birthdays all around.

Today was a big day in the Thompson household. Jeff turned 27  and Walter turned 10! Woo hoo for both of them being born! They are the best guys I know, for real. 

I'll tell you what though... today was absolutely anticlimactic. Tomorrow we have our Young Life banquet, which is our largest fundraiser of the year, and it kind of stole the birthdays' thunder. Our church hosts the banquet, so after right after our church service ended this morning our Young Life committee showed up and we got to work. They did buy a nice {and delicious} birthday cake to at least acknowledge Jeff's birth, in the middle of all the frenzy.

Sounds super fun right? Here's a fun fact though {get ready for a lot of numbers}... last year our Young Life banquet was March 4th {four days before my birthday}. We found out we were pregnant with Sullivan just TWO days after the banquet, and TWO days before my birthday. We also adopted Walter on March 11th- so this is our first time celebrating his birthday {with him at least}.

Jeff has been super stressed with the banquet, and we obviously couldn't do anything extraordinary to celebrate. I feel kind of bad about not really making a big deal about BOTH of my boys' birthdays. We didn't get home from setting up until after 6pm... so tonight for dinner we got take-out from a really great restaurant, Frankie Bones. We enjoyed our steaks, and Walter enjoyed the little pieces we gave him {ONLY because it's a special occasion, poor guy lives on only dog food}.

Next year I WILL plan something great to honor and love Jeff {and Walter}. But this year the rock star gift I got Jeff will have to be enough. He's going to LA in April to visit one of his best friends. He's nearly impossible to buy for because he can always find a better deal or just buys things as he needs them {which isn't often}. He always says "I'm about experiences, not gifts" so this year I listened and I delivered.

I also reeeeally want to buy a doggy birthday hat {like this} for Walter, how great will that be?

Happy Baby, Happy Life.

Since October 30th our life has NOT been the same... duh. We felt like we were prepared for life with baby, but no amount of preparation could have truly got us ready for what was coming. I always heard people talk about the sacrificial life of a parent, especially moms, but man was I naive. I didn't think about the everyday things that I can never just hop up and do. Simple things... going pee, taking a shower, cleaning, cooking, WORKING OUT. I am officially canceling my gym membership because let's be honest, when will I ever be able to go? The selflessness it takes to be a parent is unreal, until you experience it. I have to place someone else's needs above my own at all times. And as the selfish person I naturally am, this definitely doesn't come easy. But luckily the Lord has equipped and prepare me {everyone} to raise up a new generation and be parents, even if, like Jeff and I, you aren't necessarily planning or trying to become parents right this moment.

#Ourbabysullivan has been the sweetest, most incredible gift we've ever received. I still look at her and think how blessed we are to have been chosen as her parents. Obviously, we think she's perfect... but I genuinely believe that she is! She's such a fun and happy baby, she literally just smiles and squeals for hours every day. 

Sullivan's first captured smile at 5 weeks! 

Sullivan began sleeping through the night at 6ish weeks. Before that she only woke up once or twice in the night, so it was manageable. I read a book, Babywise, which I totally recommend to ANY soon-to-be parents. I honestly believe the principles we applied from this book largely get the credit for her being the way she is. I know every baby is going to be different, and I'm positive our next baby will be way more challenging {I like to use the word hellion} but I think this book is AMAZING. Obviously, take it with a grain of salt, and realize every baby won't fit perfectly into the examples in the book. For the first 3 weeks I wanted to know why my baby wasn't a mini clone of the examples given. Then I loosened up and realized it was a process. We worked {are continue to work} toward the goal of helping our baby be happy, predictable, content, and well rested.  

My shirt Jcrew Factory {similar here}//Baby's shirt from Carter {similar here}

Mudpie Leggings

H&M onesie

     

Dress: Island Child//Georgia&Jane Headband

Peplum Baby Gap Onesie 

     

She's just so happy, I can't help myself!