Monmouth's cutest baby!
Meet the winner and 5 runners-up of our first-ever baby contest.
It’s not the hardest work we’ve ever done, “oohing” and “aahing” over oodles of adorable tykes. But with 69 local babes 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. When the tallies were complete, we emerged with an adorable troupe of six: one winner and five runners-up. Meet our winner below and the rest by clicking the photos above!
The Winner: Richie Conklin
AGE: 1
HOMETOWN: Belmar
FAMILY: Parents Virginia and Brian Conklin
Readers went gaga over Baby Richie’s sweet eyes, adorable smile and oh-so-pinchable cheeks. Cheerfully posing in front of a stone fireplace in the winning photo, Richie is used to being the center of attention, says Virginia.
“He’s our first baby and the first grandchild on both sides, so he’s kind of the ‘king of the castle,’” says Virginia with a laugh. “We took this picture in a home we were staying at in Maine while attending my brother’s high school graduation, and thought the fireplace made a really pretty background.”
A happy, loving baby, Richie has also developed somewhat of an independent spirit. “He’s very strong-willed and knows what he wants,” says Virginia. That includes walking his “big brother” Rocco—the family’s 70-pound bulldog. “We’ll let him hold the leash, mostly just in the yard,” Virginia explains. “Rocco knows to walk very slowly—it’s really a sight to see!”
Also known to hide his parents’ remote controls throughout the house—just for fun—Richie is still as sweet as can be. “He’s a really good boy and loves to say ‘hi’ to everyone,” says Virginia. “We love him so much.”
FUN FACT: “Richie really likes music and dancing,” says Virginia. “If he hears a song, he’ll stop right in the middle of whatever he’s doing and start to dance. The Black Eyed Peas is his favorite group to dance to on the radio, and he also likes the music on Yo Gabba Gabba!”
