The Cuteness Factor

Have any of you met someone who turns your brain to nothing and makes you feel all gooey because they're so beautiful and you love them so much?
I have. Quite a bit, actually (*cough* Harry Styles *cough*).

But there's this one person in particular who I'm thinking about. She's fifteen months old, and has this gorgeous red hair. Her mother (who happens to be FGM) insists on calling it 'strawberry blonde' so we're going to call the little girl Strawberry.
As I was saying, Strawberry has this gorgeous flaming red hair and clear blue eyes. They remind me of a storm, they're a deep blue and they're SO BIG! Paired with her pale skin and curly hair, she actually looks like a doll - or a model.

But I'm not writing this post to gush about Strawberry. I'm writing it to ask a question: Why do babies trigger that mushy response?? 

Personally I think it's because of three reasons: they're so innocent and little; you can find a connection with them; and because they're so damn cute!

While people generally won't remember their own baby days, they probably know a baby, or remember someone else as a baby. Obviously, I have Strawberry; I also have some cousins, and assorted others. And even though you might not remember your OWN baby days, everyone knows that they too were once that age, and so on a very basic level you would recognize yourself in the baby - whether it's a cute habit, a personality or the fact that THEY WON'T STOP SCREAMING!!

Everyone knows that babies are innocent; they can barely talk, let alone lose all of their naivety! People see that innocence as cuteness, and sometimes as hilarious (seriously - have you ever seen a baby throw a tantrum because they've lost something they put down on the table right in front of them?), and they also feel a need to protect this miniature person. Another thing on the innocence of babies - they give so many chances, and are usually positive. The first time they see you, they don't make judgments on your appearance or your likes or ANYTHING - as long as you smile at them and don't drop them too much, you have a fairly good chance at making a friend. And once a baby TRULY knows you and likes you, they won't forget you. So people appreciate that - even though it can be frustrating when the baby doesn't know you, so won't stop screaming until you return them to their mother!

The finally reason I think babies are cute is because of their appearance. With too-big hands and feet, eyes that barely fit in their head and that slightly stunned-mullet look of wonderment, babies are just adorable.

But that's my opinion anyway, and so now I'd like to know:

Why do YOU think babies are cute? Who's the cutest baby you've met? And most importantly - how do you make them stop crying???


Fairy God Daughter,
Flying away