It wasn't the most difficult work, "oohing" and "aahing", but with 55 local babies, deciding on a winner wasn't easy. Meet the winner and 3 runners up of our first ever Monmouth's Cutest Baby contest!
It’s not the hardest work we’ve ever done, “oohing” and “aahing” over oodles of adorable tykes. But with 55 local babes—24 boys and 31 girls—vying for the crown in our first-ever Monmouth’s Cutest Baby Contest, deciding on a winner wasn’t easy. So we put out the call to you, our readers, to choose your favorites—and you responded in droves.
More than 400 Monmouth residents cast their votes at monmouthhealthandlife.com. When the tallies were completed, we emerged with an adorable group of four: one winner (who will receive a $100 gift certificate to Kidegories in Shrewsbury), two runners-up—and one Editors’ Choice pick selected by our staff (We couldn’t let readers have all the fun!) Meet these delightful little ones on the page below. Congratulations to all!
This patriotic photo of Marcus, now 7 months old, first appeared on the invitation to his parents’ 4th of July barbecue. “When a co-worker told me about the Cutest Baby Contest and suggested we enter Marcus, I just knew this would be the photo,” says Brianne. “It captures his innocence and giggling personality.”
About that personality: Little Marcus is “very happy, chatty and curious—always moving, bouncing and dancing,” says his mom. And he’s just starting to crawl. “He’s able to roll or shimmy anywhere he wants to go, especially if there is a remote control or cell phone in sight!”
Fun Fact: “Marcus loves animals,” says Brianne, “especially our dog, Cooper, who makes him laugh every day.”
Second Place…
Ava Monroe Rogers
Age: 6 months
Hometown: Manalapan
Parents: Kristen Rogers and Dan Feldman
“I just love that picture!” says Kristen of Ava Monroe’s bathing suit shot. “She looks like a little debutante with that big dramatic bow—like she has a lot of attitude,” says her mom. And Ava Monroe has a personality as big as her bow, according to Kristen. “She’s very active, always on the move. And she’s a very funny baby. She loves to clap and laugh.”
Fun Fact: “Ava Monroe loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and doing the hot dog dance,” says Kristen. “As soon as it comes on she starts rocking and clapping.”
Third Place…
Brody Gammoh
Age: 2 1/2 years
Hometown: Aberdeen
Parents: Laura and Rami Gammoh
“Talking to Brody is like talking to a 5-year-old,” says Laura. “He’s always asking questions and wants to know how everything works.” The toddler is a “sweet, warm kid,” according to his mom. “Brody’s a gentle boy—not rough at all. In fact, he’s more cautious than anything. He doesn’t dive head first into things; he checks out the situation first.”
Fun Fact: Brody was never into TV until I discovered Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. He’s a huge fan of that show—and now I get a half-hour to myself!”
Editor's Pick
Natalie Alpino
Age: 1 year
Hometown: Holmdel
Parents: Jen and Chris Alpino
Like many parents, Jen and Chris had a tough time deciding which photo of Natalie to submit to our contest. “Ultimately, we felt this one perfectly captured the warmth of her personality,” says Jen.
Among the “jovial, vivacious” baby’s favorite activities are dancing, climbing, tossing balls, chasing the fam- ily’s 13-year-old English sheepdog and feeding her parents Cheerios.
Fun Fact: Natalie is never without Mr. Owl, a stuffed animal that Chris bought for Jen when she was pregnant. “It has a pouch with a baby owl in it,” says Jen. “She loves it and takes it everywhere with her.”
