Surrey youngster vying for \u2018Baby of the Year\u2019<\/p>\n
Published 6:00 pm Tuesday, September 22, 2026<\/p>\n
A Surrey family that set out to mark their son\u2019s first year in a fun way is now hoping their bright-eyed six-month-old will be voted 2026 Baby of the Year \u2013 a title that comes with $25,000 and nationwide time in the spotlight. <\/p>\n
But time is running out to vote young Aren Khazaee into the competition\u2019s next round. <\/p>\n
Maryam Bayatsarmadi described her son as a \u201cjoyful, curious, and incredibly social little boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHis expressive eyes, big smiles and fascination with the people and world around him have been part of his personality from the very beginning,\u201d she continued by email.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt six months old, he is discovering new foods, practicing his little crawling moves, enjoying music and conversations with Mom and Dad, and recently celebrating the arrival of his first tiny teeth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Entering the 2026 Baby of the Year competition quickly evolved into something bigger for Aren and his parents, as more and more votes supporting the youngster were cast by family, friends and the community, Bayatsarmadi writes.<\/p>\n
The winner will be featured in a national advertising campaign with The Honest Company, and celebrated in an advertorial in Variety magazine, she adds.<\/p>\n
Funds raised also support Baby2Baby, a California-based nonprofit \u201cthat provides children in need across the country with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities that every child deserves,\u201d according to baby2baby.org<\/p>\n
The competition aims to celebrate \u201cnew life, proud families, and community coming together to support babies everywhere,\u201d information on the site adds. <\/p>\n
Bayatsarmadi said she and Aren\u2019s father Milad Khazaee thought their son\u2019s journey \u201ccould make a fun and uplifting local community story.\u201d<\/p>\n
Public voting through multiple rounds determines the champion. Supporters can cast a free daily vote, or opt to vote by donation. The \u2018Group Phase\u2019 of voting closes at 7 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 24), after which competitors advance through the tournament-style format based on their ranking, according to competition rules.<\/p>\n
As of Tuesday (Sept. 22), Aren was ranked fourth out of 44 in his group.<\/p>\n
Bayatsarmadi said support from Lower Mainland voters would \u201cmean so much to us,\u201d as Aren doesn\u2019t have the same local family voting network as some of the other participants, due to his extended family being in Iran.<\/p>\n
In Aren\u2019s online competition profile, the family notes the $25,000 prize \u2013 in addition to supporting Aren\u2019s education and other opportunities \u2013 \u201cwould help us build a strong foundation for his dreams.\u201d <\/p>\n