Sunday, August 26, 2012

Bye Bye Baby

So last week while I was in the hospital, Phil decided to break Sam of his bedtime pacifier habit. 
AND it went fairly smooth with the exception of one night.

Sam told me this morning, "Daddy put my pacifiers away to keep them safe from Bear."
Whatever works. 

But then it hit me. 
He is potty trained, goes to school, rides a bike, drinks juice out of a real cup AND doesn't have a pacifier. 
He's a kid now. And now that he doesn't have a pacifier, his next major milestone is....driving. 
AHHHH. 
Where did my baby go!?!?!?!




At least I still have this guy.....


Friday, August 24, 2012

Good Luck / Bad Luck

If you bumped into me this summer in the States and asked how we liked HK, I'd be pretty quick to tell you that Team Thompson hadn't had a very good year so far.
And if you saw me my first week in the US, I would have broken down into tears talking about it. 

So, when it was time to head back Phil and I promised (and hoped) the second half of the year in HK would have been better!

Here's how it went down- 
August 14 - Arrive. Sara had cold. Everyone else healthy.
August 15- Day 1 - Jet lag. Sara still has cold. 
August 17 - Sara feeling worse & goes to Dr., gets medicine that she has a horrible reaction to and ends up in bed sick and in horrible pain until checking into hospital on August 19
August 19- Admitted to hospital with full blown pneumonia. (At this point I'm feeling pretty bad, checking into a hospital in a foreign country away from all my family.) 
August 21- After two days of barely being able to talk & haven't had food or drink in 5 days (except IV) ...finally starting to feel a bit better.

Then....I met the most interesting man in the world. Seriously. My amazing Lung Doctor called in an infectious disease specalist, Dr. Simon, and those two literally saved my life.
This guy, I can't even describe him other than to say he should be the guy on the Dos Equis commercials


Apparently by the time I checked into the hospital the pneumonia had spread into my blood stream and I was on the "knifes edge" of going into septic shock. 
While I was in the hospital one neighbor made us a cake, another dropped off food and gifts for the boys. People called to schedule play dates so the boys could get out of the house, 
a wonderful lady helped by picking Sam up from school and send lots of DVD's to the hospital via Phil and another friend came to visit me. 
She told me I looked like crap, but it was great to see her....and she provided me with what every sick girl needs...good company, a good laugh and gossip magazines. 
Lots of people sent me messages and I think it took me being that sick to realize that I have a great support system in HK, a husband whose glad I didn't die and who bent over backwards for me, put his job on hold and handled the kids all week with out a whimper, a great helper the kids love, and good friends. 


Maybe you need just need a little bad luck to see how lucky you are sometimes....
but next time a stubbed toe would do.....



Here's what happened while I was gone....












Sam's first day of preschool with Meredith aka Swiper.





They didn't get kicked out...
Second day of school.....back for more


















I NEVER leave my kids. EVER. To a fault, I never leave my kids. Phils been telling for ages that it would be really good me for take some time for myself and get away for a night or two. 
Next time I'll try Thailand. 
Back Home with strict orders to stay in bed for 2 weeks. 
Yeah. Right.





Friday, August 17, 2012

Eye for an Eye


I have been really sick with walking pneumonia and yesterday I wasn't even able to get out of bed. 
As a result, Phil has been picking up my slack and teaching the boys a thing or two....




Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Back in Hong Kong

I'm starting this blog with my absolute favorite picture of the summer.....
5 Best Friends and white picket fence.

(Bryce, Lizzie, Sam, Pierce & Luke)



Sorry, baby Clark- you are too young to climb...



 Our last few days in the states were SO fun. 
Sam made the complete transformation into the Lone Ranger....




We got to see the Rath girls and Fletcher Occhino!



And got all our hugs in before saying good-bye....




We went to a beautiful wedding, where I failed to take any pictures of the beautiful bride.....
but did snap this one of the two buddies....




Hit up the zoo one last time....





And enjoyed some outdoor music and green space.



Then it was time to go!!!
2 adults, 2 kids, 8 suitcases, 4 carry ons, a stroller and a car seat.....
Thank goodness for Big Jack letting us use his truck!



The last coffee cake with grandpa for a while.....



We made it to Detroit....took a little nap.....



Stretched before our long flight....




and settled down for a LONG ride.




26 hours later, were are in Hong Kong!
Thanks to all our friends and family who made time to see us this summer. 
We miss you guys already. 

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Picture Explosion

So we have been keeping VERY BUSY!
As result I have tons of pics....


Here's Luke, looking forward to starting school...
In a year.






The Men of the family (Luke not included) did a first annual trip to the Reds game.
Everyone had a blast, although Sam & Victor may not have even realized they were at a game....











Friday we went to Decatur again.....
Sam & Luke had a great time in Grandma's Garden!






Digging for potatoes!






Luke's not a fan of a hard days work.....





Back inside we had some reading...





Some multi-generation music classes...






And got to snuggle baby Leo!



Aunt Emily...



We had a blast with the cousins!!!





And Uncles....



And Padas




Leo's official induction into the "Cool Cousins Club"



The "CCC"



"Yes, I made it! I've been waiting my whole for this!"



Chillin...



Best Buds....




We said goodbye to our Indiana Family and headed back to Cincinnati....
Today we hit up the zoo....




Our last week in the states until next summer is packed full of lots more fun adventures.....
stay tuned....