I suppose you're wondering why I've gathered you all together today.

So I think we've figured out the answer to the mystery:

Barb @ getupandplay said...
Weird! Strange coincidence, my baby boy Charlie is one of the babies in that issue. I can't think how it got to your inbox though! What a bizarre thing!

Not so bizarre, Barb. No so bizarre at all.

I remember a few months back, Barb mentioned that baby Charlie (who is pretty freaking adorable if pictures are to be believed) was a finalist in some baby contest and urged us all to go vote for him. Being the supportive friend and sucker for cute baby pictures that I am, I obliged. Apparently it was a good thing I did, too, because this cute boy did win second place in his category. Yes, after seeing Barb's comment, I checked my free issue and found the exact picture for which I had voted published right there for all those with free subscriptions to see (my votes for the other two age categories also ended up winning prizes. Do I have great taste in babies or what? And you're welcome, Barb!).

What sealed the deal: as I remembered voting for these kids, I had a vivid flashback to the voting process. Rather than having little radio buttons you could toggle and submit, all of the photos were numbered. In order to vote you had to submit your three choices . . .

BY EMAIL.

(dun dun DUH!)

So I guess I won a prize, too, just for voting. Kind of like this:



So the moral of the day is: if you vote, mysterious things happen to you, culminating in free magazine subscriptions.

Or you might just get a sticker. Whichever.

In any event, I this it's now safe to say . . .

Case closed.


Thanks, Barb, for providing the clue that cracked this case wide open. Give that cute baby of yours a squeeze for me!