Entertainment
It's an unfortunate reality of life that 15 million babies are born prematurely every year, the World Health Organisation reports. And while improvements in medical science have dramatically improved their odds of survival, being born early is not without its risks, both physically and mentally, and for babies born below 22 weeks, their chances of survival are almost nonexistent.
One of these 15 million babies was the son of Matt MacMillan. His baby boy Ryan arrived into the world nine weeks before his due date, and as a result, he weighed less than three pounds. To give Ryan the best possible chance, he had to spend the first six weeks of his life in intensive care. But instead of letting the situation get them down, his parents turned it into a positive.
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
Rather than refer to their son as premature, Alyssa and Matt described him as "advanced" and that's when a brilliant idea was born: Ryan decided to photoshop their premature six-month-old into a variety of very grown-up situations to show just how quickly he'd grown beyond his weeks of life, and the results are hilarious, to say the least.
1. He was a sk8er baby, he said see you later ICU...
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
Giving Tony Hawk a run for his money already.
2. Perfecting the art of shaving before he's even got hair on his head
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
Because the world couldn't handle a baby with a 5 o'clock shadow.
3. So close and yet so far...
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
Urm, Ryan, no offense, but there are some jobs you should leave to your dad - no matter how advanced you are!
4. Not going to lie, this looks like a lot of fun
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
Although it's probably not a good idea if Ryan wants to avoid a second stay in ICU.
5. Pokerface
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
Let's just hope that the Cookie Monster doesn't have a full house.
6. Who said premature babies aren't strong?!
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
What an adorable little face!
7. Now that's what I call a look of concentration
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
The lumberjack flannel makes this picture, in my opinion.
8. Catching dinner for the fam
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
You know someone's good at photoshop when they even include shadows in the water. Can you see Ryan's little shoes?!
9. Making himself useful already
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
When you're an "advanced" baby, your small statue is only a minor problem.
10. Off to work
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
There are no words for how cute that briefcase is.
11. When you've got a big appetite you're guaranteed to grow into a big boy
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
We've all looked at food this longingly before.
12. Ryan really is a gym bunny
Credit: Facebook / Alyssa MacMillan
Or should I say gym baby!
Matt told Bored Panda that he wanted this photo series to show people that despite having a trickier start in life than most, premature babies are just as capable as those who are not and far from being "weak" in the way they're sometimes portrayed.
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