Countdown to 1: Day 3... {with a super quick GIVEAWAY}

It's the 3rd and FINAL day of Ruari's birthday countdown... Oh, man. It's tomorrow!!! I'm sharing the remaining 5 of my favorite photos of Ruari for 2010... What a sweet little baby girl.

Remember when we went to the tattoo parlor and got some ink? Yeah, me too. Good times. (Note: these tat's aren't real... if you want your own: go here).

I feel like SO many changes happened during month 8. Growing up.

One of my favorite photos of her at almost 9 months:

Ha ha! I laugh every time I see this photo. Her first Halloween at 10 months:

Ruari's first time out in the snow on Thanksgiving day. SO not impressed.

AND, since Ruari's so excited for her birthday... and, she's feeling very generous... she'd like to give away something from Pear Tree Greetings! (Don't forget to check out their promotions page for VERY great deals!

What do you win? 16 free: What's Your Resolution New Year's Photo Cards from Pear Tree Greetings!

Aren't they cute? They're perfect for updating your friends and family about your life!

How do you win? Please follow these steps... AND make sure I have a way to contact you through e-mail. If I don't... I'll have to delete the entry... :(

Mandatory entry:
1) Just answer this question: How long have you been in love with my blog? ;D{1 entry}

{Optional entries (You only have to comment once for each optional entry.):
1) Follow me (see sidebar) {1 entry}
2) Like my Facebook page for The Paper Mama{1 entry}
3) Follow my twitter: thepapermama {3 entries}

4) Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway... {2 entries}
5) Blog about this giveaway... linking back to my blog (please post blog post link in comment). {3 entries}

{If you have a moment, I'd LOVE to get 

a couple votes from you!}

I'm going to make this a short giveaway! Last day to enter giveaway is December 19th, 2010 at 11:59PM Pacific time.

Would ya could ya? Vote for me?

Target time

After reading this post from Jess at I Rock So What... I felt Ruari and I needed to take a trip to Target. I love Target. I could (and have) spent hours wandering through there. Not really spending too much money... just wandering.

You know.... when you're taking photos of yourself and your baby in Target... people give you some strange looks! :D

I bought this ornament for everyone I know. Ok, not really.

And, since you've just read this post... could you give me a vote? It's like a toll booth. JUST kidding! Only vote if you love my blog and my baby. :D

Would ya could ya? Vote for me?

Wordless{ish} Wednesday: Ruari's favorite spot.

{Ruari 10.5 months}

{This is Ruari's newest spot. She pulls up on everything now. BUT, she's just discovered the wonder and joy of pulling up on the window ledge. She LOVES it. She likes to dance and wave at people there... then she likes to try and pull on the curtains... naughty baby...}

{It's where she LOVES to be! I hope to share a video soon of her dancing at the window.}

{Just a reminder for EVERYONE: don't forget to create and link up your Holiday Card creations here! The challenge goes through December 3rd. 3 winners will be chosen!}


{If you have a Wordless{ish} Wednesday, please feel free to post it below. And, feel free to link up to these blogs too... (Wordless Wednesday HQ, 5 Minutes For Mom, Parenting by Dummies, Jolly Mom, Go Graham Go, Supermom,  and My Wee View.). Happy Wednesday to all of you! Don't forget to check the announcements above the posts. Giveaways and the photo challenge: Food.}

Would ya could ya? Vote for me?

My Pick on Monday: First Friday

Mike and I enjoyed some time out of the house Friday night with the baby. It was First Friday! We have many First Friday's around Oregon. You just need to pick one. Shops stay open later. Wine is served. Appetizers. It's just a good time. And, to top it off: no rain. Rain wouldn't normally stop us.... but, things are different with a baby.

I put on some real clothes. No pajamas tonight! :D

We ended the night with a drink at the Lucky Lab (it's a pizza place if you're wondering). Then, we headed home. Ruari pretty much passed out right after we got her in her jammies. Busy night for her!

By the way: Ruari was sucking her thumb last night! She fell asleep with her thumb in her mouth. She is so addicted to her pacifier and she hasn't ever really liked her thumb... Hopefully she'll be able to soothe herself a little better with that thumb! Instead of searching for her pacifier.

Linking up my weekend for Manic Monday!

My Pick on Monday: Monday through Sunday hair clips.
How many of you reading this didn't know it was Monday until you read "Monday's My Pick" right above this sentence? Well, look no further! Your baby can be your calendar! Hee. These really are SO cute! I found some Monday to Sunday hair clips in the Etsy shop: Chic Baby Rose

We are trying to put hair clips in Ruari's hair each day to get her used to it... she really needs her bangs cut... but, I don't know how that will turn out since she doesn't like us touching her head/hair! :D

{Chic Baby Rose}

{Chic Baby Rose}

Don't forget to create your holiday card for my Holiday Card Challenge! Three winners will be chosen by a panel of judges by December 6th, 2010. Here's a list of the sponsors for the competition (I will post a detailed list of the prizes later today):

SeamsMod
Pink Lemonade
Navy Blue Notes
Eclectic Whatnot
Circles Are Forever
Pear Tree Greetings
Big Heart Baby
Mama with Love
Life Without Plastic
Crafty Working Mommy
Beba Bean

If you think this holiday card challenge is awesome, could you vote for me? I'd love it.

Would ya could ya? Vote for me?

Sunday Challenges

Scavenger Hunt Sunday: Boo, Black, Texture, Wet, and Language.

Boo:

Boo! It's a giant pin cushion! OooooOOooOOoooooo....

Black:

I took the photo above to create my own bokeh texture. If you're wondering how I'll do it, check out this neat tutorial on Paper Heart Camera by Mandy: Make your own bokeh. This also works for the Lens Art challenge: Color

Texture:

This night time shot feels grainy to me... along with the brick in the background. Texture.

Wet:

Language:

This also works for Sunday Citar: "Home sweet home."

AND, time for Steppin Out Saturday on Friday.

{Ruari 10.5 months}

Chelsey: 

Wrap: Anthropologie

Blouse under wrap: Anthropologie

Jeans: Forever 21 (REALLY old)

Shoes: Old Navy (REALLY OLD Navy)

Laureli:

Hat: Made by me. Thank you.

Sweatshirt: Old Navy

Onesie: Gift

Leggings: BabyLegs

Shoes: Carter's

And, could you all help me stay in the top 25? 

Thank you SOOOOO much.

Would ya could ya? Vote for me?