HARRISON'S FIRST BIRTHDAY

LIKE EVERYONE ALWAYS SAYS but you don't fully realize it until you experience it yourself, time flies-- really fast-- when you have a child. It's still unbelievable to me that I have a son, let alone a one-year-old. It's been the most trying, exhausting, intense, incredible year. Harrison is amazing and continues to be amazing every day. Right now he's getting over being sick, which in itself was the most heartbreaking thing. I'm surprised by how much I love this little person, and I can't wait to see who he continues to become. 

We had a small Studio Ghibli-themed gathering for him with my family and closest friends at the Speakeasy on State downtown. By now you probably know about our love of everything Studio Ghibli, so his party was decked out with Spirited Away, Ponyo, Kiki's Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro decor and masks for the photo booth. Even the delicious pie bar, courtesy of my favorite pie place, I Like Pie Bakeshop in Claremont, was decorated with Jiji and Totoro. AND we even had Studio Ghibli cakepops!

Harrison loved his little smash pumpkin pie (in lieu of a smash cake). We also did a little spin on a Korean first-birthday tradition, Dol, where the birthday boy chose from a few different items to "predict his future". He chose the book out of a rolling pin, tambourine, stethoscope and camera-- which means he might be following in his parents' footsteps as a writer/teacher! Whatever he becomes, he'll be wonderful!

Special thanks to everyone who came and helped and for all the gifts, AND to I Like Pie Bakeshop, Roro's Cakepops, and the Speakeasy. They were super nice letting us hold his party there. It's the most beautiful historic building that actually was a speakeasy at one point during the Prohibition. Beautiful hardwood floors and brick walls and the best light.