growing hair long to short (M) (pics)

Hello,

My hair used to be pretty long

Then i got it really short about 2 weeks ago. (right now, its spike length-shorter on the sides and back slightly. If i push it forward all the way (like by wearing a hat for a long time),  it almost reaches the very tops of my eyebrows) So I have a few questions:

1. How long will it take to reach this length:

(don't worry, I have lots of time because i know it will take long.)
2. What to do in the in-between phase?
3. To be able to sweep it to the side (like how it was), should I thin it out a bit, and how much? I have extremely thick hair.
4. From a short length, will it grow out allright (as far as being even), since the front is a little longer than the rest?

And if I do thin it out, will it be too thin once it reaches the length where I can split it? (this is when its about bottom of nose length)

Thanks a bunch.

thanks for the reply

Well it has been 2 full weeks and 2 days as of now, and the hair is noticably longer. (about 1/4th inch, give or take a little). Besides using conditioner, is there any way to prevent anything from slowing it? (like when I use gel, and a comb, will this damage and slow it?)

And from experience, can anyone tell me about what length the hair will fall (from its own weight) instead of sticking out? I mean in the front, not the sides. Thanks again.