100 Days of Gratitude

Today my daughter Amelia is 100 days old! Not only has she mastered tummy time and sleeping through the night, but she can coo with the best of them.

Why 100 days, you wonder? Back in the day, Koreans considered 100 days a significant milestone for the survival of a child’s first days of life. They even went so far as to prevent visitors and/or did not take the baby outside for the first 100 days. A bit paranoid? Yes. Do they still practice this today? No, of course not, but I did receive some raised eyebrows and disapproving comments from my relatives when I took Amelia out with me to run errands after just a couple of weeks. Maybe it’s a second child thing, but I learned with Isaiah that the best time to take babies out is when they’re super young because they are in perpetual nap mode. This momma thoroughly enjoyed being able to eat meals in peace … while sitting … with the luxury of actually chewing … and savoring food. It’s the simple things, people.

So the 100th day celebration, or baek-il (백일), is sort of a big deal. (But not as big as the 1st birthday, which I will have to plan come Fall!) We decided to keep our celebration modest (easy) and just had lunch at Jang Su Jang with some family. Again, the second child shaft. We did, however, keep with tradition and eat sweet rice cakes at Rice Cake Factory after lunch. At least we can say we did that!

The many faces of Amelia Ruth

And not only is today Amelia’s 100th day celebration, but it also happens to be James’ birthday! I couldn’t ask for a more loving and supportive husband or a better father to our two adorable children (even though he insists on embarrassing them via incriminating Facebook posts). Happiest day to both my loves!

Birthday boy and baby Amelia