First Birthday Celebration!

My emotions were running high on our little boy's first birthday.  I'm still processing some of those feelings, so not gonna try to write about them today.  Despite whatever else I was feeling, I was happy on Monday and we had reason to celebrate!  Our baby boy turned one year old!   So, celebrate we did.  We went with my parents and our good friends to Shin Chon Garden Restaurant for dinner.

C spent most of his time perfecting his chopstick grip by snatching ice cubes out of his glass.
He had expressed his desire to eat at Panera over a Korean restaurant multiple times throughout the day.  I told him it was ok if he didn't like the food...but that he would still be expected to sit at the table (without whining) until everyone was finished.  He ate his first bite with gusto.  Unfortunately, it was something he didn't care for so after that I had a hard time convincing him to take even a tiny bite of rice.  We all shared some bulgogi (the meat being cooked at the table) and my mom, Grace, and I all ordered dolsot bibimbap (the bowl of yumminess below the meat...promise it tastes better than it looks).

This was my folks' first time having Korean food, and they were great sports.  I had my doubts when I looked up to see the expression on my mom's face while she perused the menu. ;)  But, they tried a lot of new things and found some stuff they liked.  I tried some new things too.  I've had bulgogi and bibimbap before, but this time I branched out and tried almost all of the little side dishes.  Whew, some of those flavors are intense.  I felt better after our friend Andy remarked that he wasn't sure how someone who didn't grow up eating kimchi and the like, could come to appreciate it.  It's kind of an acquired taste, he said.  I would have to agree. ;)

As you can tell, C has some mad chopstick skillz.  Mine, on the other hand, are sub par.

Group shot!

After dinner we headed back home for some Georgetown cupcakes.  Oh, yum.

I told the kids to sing happy birthday super loud so lil' peanut could hear us all the way in Korea.

This girl kills me with her cuteness. :)

C was very excited to open peanut's present for him.  I think he was hoping for some toys that he could claim as his own until his brother gets here...but Nana's gifts were practical (which I appreciated) :)
It was so nice to have my parents and our friends join us on this special day.  And for those of you who sent a text or a facebook message wishing our boy a happy birthday, I truly appreciate that.  Coming off the heels of C's birthday, it was hard going out to a mailbox that was depressingly empty.  Of course our little one doesn't need anything for his birthday.  No cards or toys, clothes or money.  But, this mama needed to know that her baby was being thought of and loved on even from a distance.