When my firstborn son came into the world, he made quite an impression. He was “perfectly cooked,” boasting a head of golden straw-colored hair, and he was simply delightful and flawless. You could see with your own eyes that he was as beautiful as can be!
When my second child arrived, he appeared quite different. He resembled a squashed crab, with a cone-shaped head, retracted ears, and visible swelling. It was evident he had endured a challenging birth, as he appeared bruised and purple. I couldn’t deny that he looked quite unattractive; my son was certainly not conventionally handsome!
However, this in no way diminishes the love I felt for him. Birth can be a challenging experience for both mother and baby. The truth is, most newborns don’t exactly resemble cherubs—they often bear more resemblance to old men, floppy rabbits, sentient cabbages, or even monkeys.
It often takes several months for newborns to shed their squished appearance and blossom into adorable, cherubic babies. Our Hollywood-influenced expectations of newborns may contribute to this perception.
He happens to be the son of our former CFO. Now, he’s a bundle of joy. But back then… oh, it was frustrating! Supposedly, even the midwives couldn’t help but comment when they saw him, saying, “Ohhh, you had a boy…” and then there would be awkward silence.
I don’t know who this pale boy is, but he looks like he had one too many drinks last night… He’s not finding anything amusing…
That boy must be Benjamin Button; he seems ready to retire on a golf course.
This baby’s name is Cheryl, and she enjoys shouting at the neighbor’s son whenever the ball goes over the fence.
If glares could be fatal, this child’s mother would be six feet under.
This baby seems to live in a public housing unit. After the kid next door swipes his cane, all he wants to do is watch Dr. Phil in peace.
This baby has seen some things.
Indeed, some babies aren’t particularly attractive. My own baby was less than adorable. However, most grow out of it, and even if they don’t, it certainly helps shape their character.
