Tiny Iron Fists

I Heart Paper Culture!

When Lulu was born I let the world know about her via a birth announcement that was five months late (seriously, how do other parents get them out so quickly)?! And after researching a few stationery companies, I was introduced to Paper Culture by my college roommate, Linda, who also happened to be designing for them at the time.

The cards were perfect! Simple. Modern. Warm. And with plenty of designs to choose from. But what really caught my attention, was that the cards were eco-friendly and printed on post consumer recycled paper.

The ordering process was painstakingly easy (which for a new parent is incredibly valuable) and personal. I worked with one of their designers Huiling to capture exactly what we wanted in our announcement. She was so incredibly patient (believe me we sent her some wacky photos to work with) and never rushed us or made me feel crazy on the back-and-forth decision making. In the end, Paper Culture created three beautiful announcements (as seen above) for us.

I had emphatically had a wonderful experience with Paper Culture. Make them your dependable resource for future holiday cards, birth announcements (congrats!), and baby  shower or birthday invitations... I know I will!

Baby's First (Month) Birthday!

It is customary in Vietnamese culture to celebrate a baby's first month birthday. Fortunately for Lulu, her grandparents were present to help commemorate the milestone. I asked my mom what exactly the celebration was for and she explained that we were to give offerings to a "fairy" to watch over Lulu. Apparently, this fairy would protect Lulu and teach her how to smile and do other baby-things. I'm not really sure why we lit a candle, but my mom insisted that we do that too.

After the first month anniversary celebration, friends and family were invited to meet Lulu and to offer her a happy, healthy, and prosperous life. She received a few red envelopes (li xi) with cash-gifts. And as with most Vietnamese celebrations, we ate a lot during and after the event.

Traditionally, the Vietnamese only observe a child's one-month and one year birthdays and that anything after is not really celebrated. Good thing for Lulu, we'll adopt Western birthday traditions for her! Until the next party (one year milestone), thank you, fairy godmother!

Nobody Tells You: Funky Fat Folds

When babies are brand new, they're all balled up. Having been in the womb for so long, their legs are bent and their little hands seem permanently stuck in the clenched fist position. Cute! Aww, look at those tiny fingers! But wait... what's that smell?! OMG! Have you ever pried a newborn's hand open? Somehow the palm picked up lint, hair, sweat, and saliva and it stinks of sour milk and baby musk! Truthfully, it smells like toe jam. How did the stinky raised fist salute come to be? The hands are closed so tightly, how did anything sneak in there anyway?

Have you found the other funky folds? If you bend back baby's wrists, an extra stash of stink will reveal itself. Check the neck (the stinkiest place of all) and behind the knees too. While you're at it, if the kid resembles the Michelin Man, you've got your work cut out for you... anywhere there are fat folds, I can guarantee you'll find, le stink! Eh, it's not really a big deal. Just wipe and dry the stinky pits and repeat daily. Everybody's going to tell you how much they love "baby smell" however nobody's going to tell you how funky your baby might actually smell sometime!