For those of you who read the parenting blogs of my Korean Seoul Sisters (City Mama, Keepin It Real and honorary member by marriage Weigook Saram), you may already know that it's a very important Korean custom to honor a child's first birthday by having a celebration. This celebration is called a Dol.
In the past, due to a lack of medical information, the general state of poverty, and many childhood related diseases, the death rate for children in Korea was extremely high. Many children died before their first birthday. However, after the age of one year, the survival rate steeply increased, making this milestone a very happy one for the child's parents.
In modern times, due to the improvements in medicine, the influence of Western culture, and modern industrialization, the life expectancy reasons for the Tol celebration have been reduced. However, the event is still celebrated as a time of congratulations for the parents and family.
Anyway, this past Saturday, we had the Peanut's Dol. It was quite an affair. We took over an enormous private room in a Korean restaurant and had about 75 of our closest friends and family join us in celebrating my daughter's first birthday. There was an enormous buffet filled with Korean food, traditional desserts and a clown. What more could you want?
The highlight of the party was definitely the toljabee. This is a traditional event at any Dol that supposedly determines the future of the child based on the symbolic nature of what object she grabs from the choices laid out in front of her. In front of the Peanut, we laid out a bowl of rice (representing prosperity), money (wealth), some thread (longevity), a notebook (a scholarly life) and a pencil (an artistic/creative life). Dressed in a traditional Korean hanbok, the Peanut looked at the choices in front of her and went immediately for the bowl of the rice. When we mixed up the order of the choices, she went for the pencil. So hopefully this means that my lovely daughter is destined for a prosperous career as an artist.
But it was great celebrating such an important milestone with so many close friends and family. Seeing all the kids run around together made it even more special. The Peanut was in great form. And although she didn't get a nap in all day, she seemed to have a lot of fun running around the room and being kissed by so many people. And despite being pulled in so many different directions, I had a lot of fun too. In that room. With the lovely BossLady by my side. Surrounded by friends and family. And watching my daughter celebrate her first birthday. I couldn't have been happier. Truly a great time.
And holy shit! My daughter is almost one!
Congrats. I remember wondering where the time went when my daughter turned one a few months back. The first 3-4 months dragged by because of the colick and not know what we were doing. But after that -- I don't know where the rest of the time went!
Like the blog, btw - found it via daddytypes...
Posted by: Kaz | October 03, 2005 at 11:08 AM
Happy birthday to the Peanut! It goes by so fast, doesn't it?
Posted by: lesbonstemps | October 03, 2005 at 11:12 AM
Awesome! Congrats to Peanut and to her parents for going through the insanity known as the dol janchee.
Posted by: enygma | October 03, 2005 at 11:16 AM
The first year goes fast, my friend. It slows down a little bit as they get older but noy by much. You start with a little child who is so dependent on you. Next thing you know, they're out on their own. Time really does fly.
Happy birthday to the Peanut! (Can't believe she's running around already!)
Posted by: Brent | October 03, 2005 at 11:18 AM
Very interesting. I love hearing how different cultures celebrate various events. I hadn't known about this important Korean celebration before. Much congratulations to you and your family on your daughter passing this important milestone.
Posted by: Millie | October 03, 2005 at 11:29 AM
To Peanut --
Saeng il chuk ha ham ni da!
(this one should be said with some Jameson's or a full pint):
Lá breithe mhaith agat! Slainte!
Posted by: Mr. Big Dubya | October 03, 2005 at 11:46 AM
Happy 1st Birthday to the Peanut!
It's funny how they never seem to nap well on the big day of the party.
Posted by: Linda B | October 03, 2005 at 01:10 PM
A big congrats! That sounds like a lot more fun that the "put a cake in front of her and watch her stick various appendages into it" celebration that is typical in the US.
Posted by: Neal Patrick | October 03, 2005 at 01:14 PM
Glad to hear that the Peanut had such a nice Dol. Sounds like it was a fun party. We had one for my son a few weeks ago. Just a small celebration at home. Isn't it amazing how fast time flies? I feel like I just gave birth yesterday!
Posted by: Jane | October 03, 2005 at 01:23 PM
I've been putting up pictures in our apartment of my husband and I at our respective Dol(s). With our own baby due in (omy!) 12 weeks, it all makes me think of how odd it will be to be a parent all of a sudden.
Happy 1st Birthday to the Peanut! (did you have a hundredth day too?)
Posted by: Nina | October 03, 2005 at 01:28 PM
Very cool! Happy Dol! Congrats!
Posted by: Queen of Ass | October 03, 2005 at 02:34 PM
What a great tradition! I'll bet she thoroughly enjoyed being the princess for the day.
Note to self--find a Korean restaurant in this damn city and order take-out! Kim chee and mandus please!!!
Posted by: misfithausfrau | October 03, 2005 at 02:51 PM
Happy birthday, Peanut! Sounds like a wonderful party, glad that she shone, even without a nap.
Posted by: landismom | October 03, 2005 at 04:01 PM
I had never heard of a DOL before but it sounds wonderful. I agree with Neal Patrick: much better than the birthday cake mess I am familiar with.
Posted by: christine | October 03, 2005 at 09:01 PM
Congrats on the momentous occasion.
I look forward to investing in her "inspiring and refreshing" work 20 years from now.
Happy Birthday, Peanut!
Posted by: tpon | October 03, 2005 at 10:33 PM
But where's the bow and arrow? Don't you want her to kick major butt while being a prosperous artist?
Happy Birthday, Peanut - and thanks for giving your dad such an amusing year!
Posted by: JJ Daddy in Savannah's Baby Momma | October 03, 2005 at 10:38 PM
But thanks for being the responsible, modern Korean parent and not putting a FREAKING KNIFE in front of your ONE YEAR OLD CHILD!!!!
Posted by: JJ Daddy in Savannah's Baby Momma | October 03, 2005 at 10:43 PM
happy new year peanut
Posted by: bitemycookie | October 04, 2005 at 12:43 AM
Congratulations to all! Love the idea of celebrating the first year that way. Anything that reaffirms a child's cultural background is a beautiful thing as far as I'm concerned, so the two of you should be commended for maintaining that link.
Posted by: ShotgunDaddy | October 04, 2005 at 01:18 AM
Yeehaw!
Posted by: Flargin | October 04, 2005 at 05:03 AM
Happy Birthday Peanut!
AD
Posted by: AdventureDad | October 04, 2005 at 06:15 AM
That's awesome. Much more enriching than the Caucasian tradition of listening to a bunch of bored teenaged Chuck E. Cheese waiters singing some bizarre house birthday song while your kid recoils in horror. (Why can't they just fucking sing "Happy Birthday To You"? In ANY restaurant? Are there copyright issues involved?)As a white person, speaking for all white people, I can say with confidence that we suck.
Posted by: Jason | October 04, 2005 at 11:15 AM
I believe there actually ARE copyright issues involved...
Posted by: Kaz | October 04, 2005 at 12:31 PM
Happy Birthday Peanut! And congratulations to Metrodad and Bosslady for making it through the first year.
Maybe peanut has inherited some of your skills and is destined for a prosperous career as a writer.
Posted by: Sassy | October 05, 2005 at 04:45 AM
Happy b'day to Peanut!!
Wow, you're about the tenth parent blogger this week who is celebrating a first birthday. There must have been something in the air in January 2004! :-)
Posted by: chip | October 05, 2005 at 02:08 PM
Wow. That first year really does just whiz by. I swear I just had my little one and then I blinked. Now she is 17 months. Congrats to you and the boss lady. I know just how you feel. It's a wonderful thing to be able to take part in family traditions. It makes them even more special when you are passing down those traditions to you wee one.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 05, 2005 at 02:20 PM
Happy Birthday, Peanut! MD, the years fly by! Take care.
Posted by: Beth | October 05, 2005 at 11:28 PM
Omigod MD!!!! I can't believe the Peanut is a year old. Holy cow! That means that we've known you for over a year, too! Yay! It's our anniversary!!!
Posted by: Kim Voynar | October 06, 2005 at 03:53 AM
Happy BD Peanut!
In the Chinese culture we celebrate the one month birthday with a huge shindig. Waaaay back it was believed that if a baby could make it to a month, their chances of survival increased ten-fold. Nowadays it's just an excuse for a huge dinner. My son is having his party this Sunday. Isn't culture the coolest thing ever?
Posted by: Poppa L | October 06, 2005 at 12:13 PM
Saeng il chuk ha ham ni da Peanut!
Posted by: BIYF | October 06, 2005 at 12:49 PM
Happy Birthday Peanut!
Posted by: Alison | October 06, 2005 at 03:59 PM
Goes by fast, doesn't it?
Happy Birthday, Peanut!
Posted by: MIM | October 06, 2005 at 05:52 PM
That sounds wonderful! I did not know about this tradition but it sounds lovely. I hope I get to attend one someday.
Congratulations to you, and Happy BIrthday to the Peanut!
Posted by: Dollymama | October 06, 2005 at 09:33 PM
That's just really lovely. Thank you.
Posted by: Meg | October 07, 2005 at 02:24 PM
Gald to hear it all went well
Posted by: chocolate makes it better | October 09, 2005 at 02:26 AM
Happy birthday Peanut!!! I would love to see you in your hanbok!
Great site - I stop by as often as I can...
Posted by: Alexandra | October 09, 2005 at 11:33 AM
The peanut is an important source of protein for human consumption origenvegetal animal. It also generates valuable income to developing countries in the cheese develops 90 percent of world production.
Posted by: teeter hang ups | May 12, 2010 at 06:18 PM
I came across your blog while conducting research for my friend's son's dol. Great post and I'm hooked on your blog!
Posted by: YK | August 10, 2010 at 04:46 AM
I gave my daughter peaunt butter at 1 yr old i felt like my daughter could handle it i gave her a pb j sandwich i cut it into little bites and gave her a big cup of milk to go with it. she was fine. my doctor told me 3 years old for crackers any types of foods other than fingers foods(my daughter would grab stuff off my plate or pulle my hands towards her and take bites off my sandwich,burger)
Posted by: Theus | July 04, 2012 at 11:37 AM
These are most delectable! They have beocme my day after tradition for my Disneyland trips. On my the way out of the park, I always stop at the Candy Palace on Main Street U.S.A. and pick up one of these little beauties. The next day, after I am home and wishing I was still at Disneyland, I pull this bit of confectionery goodness out and enjoy a bit more of Disneyland. They used to have two grahams inside but the last year or so they have beocme an open-faced sandwich with only one. Gotta say that this does not diminish its deliciousness. In addition to Pooh Corner, they also sell them at Marceline's Confectionery at Downtown Disney. You must wonder how I can resist eating this treat when I buy it. Well, that's where the toffee covered, chocolate dipped, Mickey-shaped pretzels come in gotta have something to quench the temptation!
Posted by: Amanda | July 04, 2012 at 04:14 PM
Maybe the chocolate is the bread that just sudrnuors it? Like a Hot Pocket sandwich. Or maybe it's more of an open-face sandwich? (That's what I would do with it OPEN my FACE! hahaha.) This would be great with a cup of coffee, I bet. If only there were a decent cup of coffee in Disneyland Any recommendations for in-park coffee joints? Or do I need to buy a plane ticket, some park hoppers, and do some research?
Posted by: Med | July 04, 2012 at 04:21 PM
Amy Well, it's hard work, but I love it! I'm upset FOR you about the Starring Rolls thing. Next time next time Matt Awesome, right? Have you seen these at Sweet Spells or am I just delusional? Both my huabsnd and I could have sworn we saw them.
Posted by: Ilhan | July 04, 2012 at 05:16 PM