Lucy Baehr didn’t initially perceive her daughter Reese as the epitome of cuteness, yet her love for Reese went far beyond surface appearances. The narrative took a turn when Lucy, in a lighthearted manner, entered Reese into a TikTok challenge, only to be met with a wave of criticism. Despite this, Lucy’s unwavering love for her daughter shone through, illustrating the depth of a mother’s love.
Delivering Reese wasn’t an easy process for Lucy
Residing in Arkansas, Lucy’s story unfolded in a way that captured the hearts of many online, blending humor with the universal anticipation mothers feel for their newborns to be the picture of cuteness.
The path to motherhood for Lucy was fraught with challenges, including battling infertility and enduring losses that would dishearten anyone. Already a devoted mother to her daughter Harper and a caring stepmother to Cole, in September 2019, the family decided to welcome a new, furry member—an adorable puppy—to bring additional joy into their home.
In February 2020, Lucy Baehr received astonishing news: she was expecting a baby girl. The revelation filled her with immense joy and a hint of disbelief. The arrival of her daughter, Reese, made the young lady’s life even more vibrant.
Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Lucy shared, “I remember turning to my husband and asking, ‘She’s healthy?’” This response encapsulated the unexpected turn their lives had taken, rendering Reese’s entry into the world as somewhat more unconventional than they had envisioned.
“Her nose was incredibly swollen, and her eyes were beady.” the young mother recounted. Looking back, Lucy Baehr realized that not one person, including the delivery room nurses, made any attempt to gloss over the fact that Reese wasn’t the prettiest baby in the room.
“People just didn’t comment on her appearance,” she laughed it off.
When Harper, Reese’s older sister, had the chance to hold her new sibling for the first time, she too couldn’t ignore the noticeable differences between them. Although Harper was likely thrilled about her new role, she cast a puzzled look at her mother and bluntly commented on Reese’s unique looks, calling her “weird.” Lucy, in a moment of honesty, acknowledged Harper’s observation, affirming there was indeed some harsh truth to her words.
Lucy joined in the “ugly baby” Tiktok challenge
It’s widely understood that mothers rarely, if ever, publicly acknowledge if their children might not meet the typical standards of cuteness. Yet, Lucy Baehr boldly stepped into this seldom-explored area on TikTok. She participated in a viral trend where users candidly shared their stories of expecting a picture-perfect infant only to be met with a different outcome. With a hearty sense of humor, this mother of three claimed she definitely topped the chart in this unique category.
Upon noticing the TikTok trend where individuals were posting pictures of their not-so-photogenic babies, Baehr felt compelled to contribute. Her video quickly captivated nearly 24 million viewers, transforming into a lighthearted jest among the community. Some commenters even playfully likened her daughter to well-known characters like Mr. Bean or the house elf Dobby from Harry Potter! Some others even compared the infant’s appearance to the villagers from Minecraft.
Another added, “Newborns are rarely, if ever, cute. They’re a ‘trust the process’ kinda creature,” which is, kind of true to some certain extent.
While Baehr’s TikTok contribution was met with amusement by many, it didn’t sit well with everyone on social media. A faction of the audience felt that making light of a child’s appearance was distasteful and questioned the appropriateness of sharing such content online.
Lucy got a lot of heat for poking fun at her own child
Addressing the backlash, Baehr encountered harsh judgments, with some going as far as to call her a “terrible mom.” There was concern among her detractors that her widely viewed post could have adverse effects on Reese’s future self-perception. Nonetheless, Baehr maintained her stance, emphasizing her commitment to transparency.
She aimed to shed light on the truth that newborns don’t always look as picture-perfect as society might expect immediately after birth. Baehr assured critics that Reese was thriving and even promised to share this unique story with Reese herself in the future, celebrating the honesty and love that defined their family’s narrative.
She also held the conviction that Reese would share her robust sense of humor. Lucy’s main message was to assure mothers that it’s normal for not every newborn to conform to the conventional standards of “perfection” in appearance, and that it’s entirely acceptable. She wanted to clarify that her video was shared in good spirits, fully aware and confident in the knowledge that Reese was beautiful in her eyes.
Lucy took to Instagram to post a tender photo of Reese shortly after her birth, accompanied by a caption that spoke volumes about the thoughtfulness behind Reese’s name. She expressed her endless love for Reese, stating, “You were loved long before you got here.”
Reese’s glow-up is real
Reese, whom her mother fondly refers to as a little princess, has blossomed beautifully. Nearly three years following her birth, Lucy delighted her Instagram followers by revealing more glimpses of Reese through photos and a video clip, showcasing her daughter’s beauty and vivacious spirit. The comments section was filled with admiration, with followers praising Reese as a “beautiful baby girl,” “absolutely precious,” and “a doll.”
On November 4, 2022, Baehr unveiled yet another heartfelt Instagram video, chronicling Reese’s journey from infancy to the present. The video was made in the span of two years, featuring moments of Reese’s laughter, her first attempts at crawling, playful interactions with the family pet, her inaugural steps, early experiments with self-feeding, her curiosity about the surroundings, and her evolution into the stunning young girl she has become.
As Reese approaches her third birthday, her development has been nothing short of remarkable. Baehr beams with pride, highlighting, “Reese is gorgeous,” and drawing attention to her daughter’s striking blue eyes.
Reese’s story is a testament to the diverse forms of beauty that exist. Her inspiring growth and vibrant personality remind us to cherish our individuality and recognize the inherent beauty in every child, regardless of their initial appearance.
While Reese’s narrative might seem unusual, it’s not a rare case at all. Similar tales echo through the experiences of others, sharing their initial impressions upon meeting their newborns for the first time.