first steps!

james took four steps today on his own! but dad got too excited and shouted, "oh emy god!" which got james scared and then he just sat down :(

he also started eating on his own from a fork! he's becoming so independent.. such a bittersweet feeling~

auntie jessica bought him this toy for his birthday... and he LOVES this thing!

pictures from james' first birthday party~

venue: the place we had james' birthday party is called "dae dong manor" in flushing, ny. they hold all kinds of celebrations.. it was really nice, i highly recommend it. the TLC and food was off the charts and they were really accommodating to us. we did the buffet style, and the team manager got not only us food, but both our parents food because she knew we didn't have any time to eat. how nice! :) also they decorate everything for you so all you have to do is decorate your picture table and that's about it. very convenient.

you get to choose from different colors.. i chose light blue.

everything is included..

my DIY disney themed place cards

i d/led the walt disney font and used the label stickers and stuck it on construction paper.

james' doljabi :)

sammy guessing what james is going to go for~

picture table

layout~

what a little rascal.. haha he really wants the apple!

james in his first hanbok (traditional korean clothes)

with my parents

dennis' family

my family

the MC told him to do the gangnam style dance.. surprisingly he wasn't bad! haha

dennis making a speech

watching the slideshow we made

rev. park praying for the food

with the love of my life<3

with daddy!

guests watching the slideshow

with the guests~

singing the birthday song.. and all of us in hanbok

james decided to clap with us.. it made the guests really happy

cutting his first cake! :)

what will he choose?!

going for it!

he took the whole napkin -_-

my baby chose the rice!

grandparents also thanking the guests for coming!

we also gave out raffle prizes and had our guests answer some questions. overall we had a blast.. i'm so thankful and grateful for everyone who came and for showing support and love to our family. james is so lucky to have such wonderful people around him and words will not express how thankful i am. it would be a lie if i said that it wasn't stressful planning a party for 100+ guests, but in the end it was all worth it! now it's time to plan for our wedding! yayy................. haha :)

photography: we were referred to this place called "baby president" in flushing, ny. not only were the pictures super cute (but fobby! =x), he was our mc and he offered to do it for free! awesomeness! not to mention he did a really great job at it too! all of our guests were super entertained and they were saying how much fun they had!

 the slideshow that we made:

james' first birthday~

i can't believe he's already one. it really blows my mind how time has flew by SO quickly and it honestly makes me sad. i was too busy and stressed preparing his birthday that i forgot the real meaning behind it all. one year old...

let me tell you that this has been the most exciting journey of my life. there were times where james really made me want to rip out my hair, but for most of the time he was such a good baby. he gives us so much joy and happiness.. words really cannot describe how i feel towards him. throughout the year... the one year we've been together, we've watched him grow so much and it really seems like this all happened in a blink of an eye, but in fact it's already been a year...

today, we went over my mother in law's house, and i leave some short onesies there because it's incredibly hot during the winter time and he hasn't worn one in maybe 3 months. the last time he wore it the pants went down to his ankles because they were still too big on him.. but today when he wore it, it went up to his thighs making it look like short shorts! and that's when i realized.. that he's gotten so much taller without me noticing. it really kinda made me tear just a little. even before, when james woke up, he cried for me.. so i laid down next to him and watched him as he drifted off. he had his mouth opened and i saw his two top teeth. that also made me think.. how long will this go for? how long will he need me? i wish he can just stay little forever! but i guess all i can do is just cherish these moments...

his celebration was yesterday on his actual birthday. we invited about 100 people and we are so happy that everyone showed up to celebrate his first birthday with us. i know i always say this, but i am truly blessed to have such wonderful people around me.

so i came up with these crazy last minute ideas (disney theme).. and my friends came over to help make my dreams come true~ we downloaded tons of disney mania songs, and played it all night. i also bought label stickers and printed the names in the walt disney font and stuck it onto colored construction paper according to the table's theme. so for example: peter pan's table would go with the green colored paper.

we had 13 tables and i wanted each table to have a "boy" theme. it would've been a lot easier if it was a disney princess theme because there are so many princesses! but coming up with the "male" characters were a bit challenging! i went to michaels and bought some felt and wanted to make disney character center pieces. and this is what i came up with~ try to guess what movies they're from!

i will def. post up pictures in the near future.. i have some pictures but i want to post up professional pictures of the party. but for now.. here's one.

so for koreans, the babys first birthday is called a "dohl-jan-chee" meaning, "the celebration of the first birthday", and during the celebration there is a traditional event called the "doljabi" where we lay out 6-7 objects and the baby chooses his destiny. we had rice for abundance, money for wealth, a book for wisdom, a golf ball for athleticism, a pill vile to represent a career in pharmacy, a mouse to represent technology and a ball of thread represents longevity.

baby james decided to pick... the bowl of rice! at least i know he won't die of hunger! pictures will come soon, i promise.

oh- and we're wearing "han-bok".. a traditional korean semi-formal or formal wear during traditional festivals and celebrations.

also- towards the end, dennis decided to surprise me with a ring and a proposal..  he's seriously too sweet. he took the mic and was making a speech.. i honestly thought that he was just saying thank you, but he suddenly brought up my name and how we didn't have a real ceremony and how he didn't propose.. and then the beauty and the beast song started to play.... and then dennis got down on his knees.. soooooo didn't see that one coming!!

happy new years!

happpy new years everyone! it's my first post of 2013! =)

january 4th.. a year ago from today, i was admitted into the hospital to deliver james... it took me two days, but man it was worth it! he is now in his room snoring away.. time sure does fly :)

we're getting our last minute preparations done for james' first birthday.. but james and i caught a bad cold! james has been sick ever since xmas eve and he's not getting any better, and i jussssssst caught a cold yesterday.

BOOO!! hope this will go away soon! i'm so excited for his birthday party though!! hope it's epic! :) james better appreciate this!! LOL