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. :)