100 Days Old

Today you are 100 days old which is a special birthday for Korean babies and is called 'baek-ill.' Your grandparents coordinated their visit so that they could celebrate your 100-day birthday with you. Your grandma also bought a small cake so that we could take pictures to remember this day. We drove up to Boston so that you could meet your uncle Chester, your aunt Carrie and your cousins Sara and Scott. Carrie also made an appointment at a photography studio so that you could take pictures with your cousins -- great idea for 'baek-ill' and for Mother's Day.

For most Korean babies, the 100-day birthday is significant because in the past, due to a lack of medical information, Korea's seasonal temperature differences, and many childhood related diseases, the death rate for children was extremely high and many babies died well before their first birthday. In other words, if you could make it through the first 100 days, then you might survive for a long life.

Typically, in a traditional 'baek-ill' celebration, the baby is dressed in a traditional korean outfit with a funny black hat. In addition, some special foods are prepared which are mainly rice cakes and fruit arrangements: baekseogi (white steamed rice cakes for longevity, representing cleanliness and freshness), susupo-duk (rice cakes coated with red bean powder to prohibit bad things), injeolmi (glutinous rice cakes for patience), and songpyeon (half-moon shaped rice cakes for thought).

Along with food, other items or symbols are put on the table - the child's future is predicted according to what he or she grabs: large bundle of thread (long life), rice or money (rich); knife (good cook); Korean calligraphy set/pencil/book (scholar); bow and arrow (warrior); needle/scissors/ruler (talented with her hands).

When your cousins first met you, they just stared at you. I think this photo is quite funny because Sara and Scott are just watching you while drinking their juice boxes.

You were fine when your uncle Chester held you. Your cousins will be moving from Boston back to LA this summer because your uncle is finishing his pediatric fellowship at Harvard (Childrens' Hospital in Boston). They will be so happy to return to LA where the sun shines all year long!