Lions, and tigers, and … babies, oh my! In honor of the 80th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, recently dressed up a few of its tiniest patients in full-on Oz cosplay. And (no surprise) the results were insanely adorable.
Sweet photos of the babies are now making their way across the internet and, understandably, people can't seem to get enough.
There's a mini Dorothy (complete with ruby slippers), a Scarecrow (with his very own straw hat!), a Tin Man, and even the Lion, all decked out in a knitted cap.
Speaking with CafeMom, Allegheny Health Network strategic communications advisor Stephanie Waite explains that the hospital will occasionally do "dress-ups" for holidays, but this time staff wanted to go all out for the beloved classic film in celebration of its anniversary August 25.
"It’s just a fun thing we do that’s guaranteed to put smiles on people’s faces," Waite says of the program. "The reaction is incredibly positive — people love seeing the adorable babies in costume."
The babies' parents were into it, too -- they watched the whole photoshoot from behind the nursery window, and loved every minute.
Waite says that the hospital first asked parents to volunteer for the project, and picked the first four who gave their permission.
"We do give the parents the costumes to take home," she says, adding that, "Dorothy kept pulling a Cinderella move and lost her ruby slippers. They were several sizes too big, but incredibly cute!"
Awww!
"We’re sure that her parents will enjoy letting her grow into them over the next few months," Waite adds.
It's easy to see why people are going crazy for the photos, which are going viral on social media.
The hospital shared photos from the big day on August 23, where they've since racked up over 5,000 likes and 2,000 shares on Facebook.
"The movie may turn 80 on Sunday, but it remains a classic, and for our newborns and their families, there's no place like home!" the caption on the photo read. "Our hope for all our patients is that the dreams that they dare to dream really do come true."
