Lee Baby Shower- Oliver

One of my best friends is a mom to triplets and a sweet boy. The sweet boy was a miracle baby. My best friend and her husband had a hard time with infertility and was fortunate to have triplets. After having triplets, they never thought another baby was possible then BAM… Oliver was here. 

To celebrate Oliver’s first birthday, I was asked to help with the decorations. We also celebrated Oliver’s Dohl, a Korean tradition. A baby's 1st birthday is special no matter what, but in the Korean tradition, the 1st birthday is extra special. In the past, the death rates for children were high and many children died before their first birthday, so it was an important milestone for the baby and parents. The whole village used to celebrate a baby's first birthday, sharing food and wishing for long life and fortune for the baby. The best part of the celebration is when the baby is seated in front of a table of foods & objects such as money, books, rice & string. The baby is then urged to pick up an object from the table. This object is to tell the child’s future.

How to show off your Baby's First Year...

For Rhys’ 1^st birthday, I wanted to share with the world what an awesome son I had. I have taken a couple thousand photos (I know… couple thousand, my excuse is that I’m Asian). The best way I thought of was to display his photos & his accomplishments was to make a poster. I added in his ‘monthly’ photos throughout the first year, his first words, nicknames, etc.

I loved his poster so much I wanted to do the same for my nephew, Joe… on his first birthday.

Rhys' 1st Birthday

On July 16, 2014, I had my baby boy, Rhys John Aldridge. He has been my sunshine since day 1. I didn’t think I could love another human being as much as I love my little guy but dang… he is my everything. So on his 1^st Birthday I wanted to go ALL out & celebrate.

First I wanted to document all the photos I took over the 1st year... which were over 1000. I put together a 'Baby's 1st Year' poster   

Below is the invitation I created. Cycling is a BIG part of my husband's life and it has become a big part of mine. Many of 'Big Moments' in my husband & my relationship revolved around cycling so when I heard I was having Rhys in July, I was excited to be able to take my maternity leave while being able to watch the Tour de France... hence, the invitation having the cycling theme.  

Below is Rhys' Doljabi poster. 

Let me start by explaining what a Dol or Dohl is... 

A baby's 1st birthday is special no matter what, but in the Korean tradition, the 1st birthday is extra special. In the past, the death rates for children were high and many children died before their first birthday, so it was an important milestone for the baby and parents. The whole village used to celebrate a baby's first birthday, sharing food and wishing for long life and fortune for the baby. The best part of the celebration is when the baby is seated in front of a table of foods & objects such as money, books, rice & string. The baby is then urged to pick up an object from the table. This object is to tell the child’s future.

Money= Wealth

String= Long Life

Books= Scholar

Rice= Abundant Life

Rhys picked the yarn/string for long life. :)

Below are extra decorations I did for the party. Each kid recieved a 'bib' with their own number & I asked that they bring a bike/trike so we can do a bike race. For the party favors, I gave a water bottle & a bell for their bikes. :)