When my firstborn son entered the world, he was truly remarkable. He arrived ‘perfectly cooked,’ adorned with a head of straw-colored golden hair, and exuded a flawless charm. It’s unmistakable in a newborn’s gaze when they possess that extra touch of beauty.

When my second child came into the world, he resembled a squashed crab. His head was cone-shaped, his ears were tucked in, and he appeared visibly swollen, bearing the marks of a challenging journey with bruises and a purple hue. I couldn’t deny the truth: my son looked quite unattractive.

Yet, despite his appearance, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming admiration for him. Childbirth is a trying experience for all involved. The reality is, most newborns resemble old men, floppy rabbits, sentient cabbages, or even monkeys.

It often takes many months for their appearance to transition from squished little monsters to adorable, shiny little buttons. Our expectations of a newborn are likely influenced by Hollywood.

He is the son of our former CFO. NOW he’s a complete idiot. In the past… urghhhhhhh Supposedly, midwives would walk past him and comment, ‘Ohhhh, you had a boy…’ crickets.

I don’t know this pale boy, but he seems to have had quite a few drinks last night… He doesn’t seem to find anything amusing.

This boy is Benjamin Button; he seems to be getting ready to retire on a golf course.

This baby’s name is Cheryl, and she enjoys yelling at the neighbor’s son whenever the ball goes over the fence.

If looks could kill, this child’s mother would be dead.

This baby seems to live in a housing commission unit. After the kid next door steals his cane, all he wants to do is watch Dr. Phil in solitude.

This baby has seen some things.

Indeed, some babies are not particularly attractive. My own baby was rather unappealing. However, most of them tend to outgrow it, and even if they don’t, it certainly contributes to the development of their character.