100 Days

In Korean culture, when a baby reaches 100 days in age, it is a cause for celebration.  The family of the baby gathers with friends and family to share traditional rice cakes and kimchi in honor of the healthy, thriving baby.  This tradition has gone on for generations in Korea.  After all, it was only forty years ago that South Korea was a third world country.  Many babies did not live to be 100 days.  So reaching 100 days was definitely a cause to celebrate.  Traditionally, the mother and baby stayed indoors, practically in bed for the entire 100 days, being cared for by the baby's paternal grandmother.  The mother was brought seaweed soup and bone broth and pumpkin porridge, as well as other warm foods.  No cold foods allowed, only warm ones.

Today, most Korean mothers don't stay inside being pampered for the full 100 days, but the tradition of celebrating with friends and family at the 100 day mark continues.  And so, Joel and I decided to throw a 100 day celebration for Caleb when he reached that mark.  We ordered fresh rice cakes and kimchi for our whole ward and shared them after church together.  We wanted to celebrate Caleb's life and health, as well as thank our ward for all the service they gave our family following Caleb's birth and also during his hospital stay with pneumonia.   

And Caleb slept through the whole thing.  Maybe he'll be awake for his next party.  ;)