We didn’t get to celebrate Theo’s 100 day (one of big festivities in Korean culture) with family and friends due to COVID, but we made up for it for his first birthday party. While still being COVID cautious, we invited our family and close friends to celebrate the first year of Theo’s life with us at our home. I DIY’ed his party with Where the Wild Things Are theme which is an obvious choice for our wild one.
In Korean culture, first birthday parties are celebrated with many traditions. Like we did for Emma, we incorporated a couple of these traditions for Theo as well. There’s usually a special table spread/Dol table with specific rice cakes. Different types of Korean rice cakes symbolize purity, long life, and bright future. I kept his Dol table themed but simple with a touch of Korean tradition. We also wore traditional Korean clothes, 한복 (hanbok).
Of course we can’t forget about 돌잡이/Doljabi, a tradition where the baby is placed in front of various items. They are encouraged to choose/grab an item which foretells the baby’s future career or lifestyle. For Theo’s Doljabi items, we had a medallion (high status), pencil (studious), yarn (long life & health), ball (athletic), bow&arrow (courage & bravery), coins (wealth), fortune pouch (luck), and pin cushion (creative & crafty).
Can you guess what he chose? He was reaching for the coins but got scared with people cheering and clapping, stopped and grabbed a pencil instead. Then he grabbed the coins after. ;D And of course after that, he grabbed everything else on the table. Haha.
We ended the party with a cake smash! In a normal circumstance, cake smashes are fun to observe baby’s reaction to trying something sweet for the first time. Well, as the true second child, Theo has already had sweets so he wasn’t phased by the cake. But he did LOVE it, he totally would have eaten all of it if we didn’t take it away after eating half of it. At least it was a naked cake. 😉 The cakes and cupcakes were made by Caroline over at Crumb & Cream, a local bakery here in Apex and all the local friends should check out!! Everything she bakes is seriously delicious, not to mention gorgeous to look at! I shared the party theme and my inspirations for the design and she made my vision come to life! His gold speckled naked “tree bark” cake was the cutest!
I wish I had remembered to take more pictures with family and friends… We are so grateful for Theo to be showered with love, not only with family and friends who were present but those who joined virtually as well. Thank you so much, y’all made his day extra special. <3
Saving the best for last – a huge shoutout to our talented friend, Bryan for capturing these special moments in beautiful photographs. He photographed Emma’s first birthday party as well as her baptism and his photos are always so beautiful and natural. Thanks a million again!!! <3
I cannot believe my last baby is already one!!! First year flew by with a blink of an eye but makes each second spent even more special. You are so loved, Theodore!
-m
Leave a Reply