Diesch Diaries: Aubrey's 100th Day "Baek-il"

Today we celebrated Aubrey's 100th day birthday or "Baek-il!" I was very excited to be here for this. I missed Ava's celebration becasue I was in the hospital. A few fun facts:

In Korea, on the 100th day after a child's birth, a small feast is prepared to celebrate the child's having survived this difficult period. If the child is sick at this time, the family passes the day with neither announcement nor party, for to do otherwise is considered bad luck for the infant. The family, relatives and friends then celebrate with rice cakes, wine, and other delicacies such as red and black bean cakes sweetened with sugar or honey.

To prevent potential harm to the child and to bring him or her good luck and happiness, red bean cakes are customarily placed at the four compass points within the house. If the steamed rice cakes are shared with 100 people, it is believed that the child will have a long life. Therefore, rice cakes are usually sent to as many people as possible to help celebrate the happiness of the occasion. Those who receive rice cakes return the vessels with skeins of thread, expressing the hope of longevity, and rice and money, symbolizing future wealth."

Of course we didn't do all of these things, but we did have Aubrey dressed in her traditional Korean hambok (the same one the Ava wore). She looked like a little princess! In addition to the Korean food, we had lots of yummy American food and of course cake! Harmony, Anthony's mom and Korean name for grandma, did a wonderful job planning and preparing the celebration! Instead of traditional gold jewelry for Aubrey, Harmony and Pepaw gave Aubrey a beautiful diamond cross that we are to give Aubrey when she turns 16. Until then, Harmony insisted that I wear it because she does not want it to stay put away. It's a hard job, but somebody's got to do it!