And the 2010 Postpartum Voice of the Year is…….

Background created by Billy Alexander; sourced from: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1284532

I am so very excited to announce that Kimberly, of All work & No Play Makes Mommy go Something Something, is the 2010 Postpartum Voice of the Year.

Kimberly’s writing about her journey through her battle with PMD’s has been absolutely astounding. With each new post, she allows her readers into her world with a breathtakingly raw level of honesty. Through it all, even when she has felt like giving up, she has found solace through sharing her journey with us. We have all rallied around her when times have gotten tough and celebrated when they’ve been good.

Today is one of those days where we get to hoist Kimberly onto our shoulders and carry her around for a day. Today is Kimberly’s day. Heck, it’s her YEAR.

Congratulations to one of the most amazing women I have had the good fortune to come in contact with over the past year. You are truly an inspiration and a shining light for other mothers. YOUR words speak volumes when they sit alone in the dark, searching for hope. You totally rock.

Want to read the piece she won this fabulous award for? You can read it right here.

To all the finalists of the Postpartum Voice of the Year, know that beyond a shadow of a doubt that your words too, are making a difference. Your story speaks to mothers who are in the SAME place as you. They will find solace in your journey. A solace which may not exist anywhere else for them. I cannot stress how important this is – every woman with Postpartum deserves a soft place to land. All of the finalists and nominees are amazing. The compassion I know all of you have in your hearts amazes me every week. The community we build through our words is limitless, priceless, full of hope, full of love – full of all the things we WISH had been there for us when we fell – or WAS there for us when we fell. It’s filled with all that it should be and so much more.

I am humbled by your audacity and courage on a daily basis.

Don’t ever stop speaking up, reaching out, and inspiring hope.

Congratulations, Kimberly. As @earthXplorer would say, ROCK THIS DAY!

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Postpartum Voice of the Year Finalists

Over the past three weeks, y’all have been voting a LOT.

I fully intended to have this post up last night but my four year old had other plans as she got sick right as I finished setting up the finals poll. Life delayed me.

But here we are, so on with the post.

First, let me just say that overall, the group of posts and writers showcased here over the past three weeks are all absolutely amazing. Every single story and post shared has immense value. There is a mom or family out there struggling with EXACTLY the thing you blogged and/or wrote about to submit somewhere. They will find your post and gasp, “That’s ME!” Do you know how totally cool that is to have out there? How comforting it is to come across a post and nod your head through the entire thing – to feel like you are not the only freak on the block with those very issues? It’s immeasurably comforting. You all rock for making the world THAT place for a mom or family going through your very story.

Second, voting is not over yet.

This is the final round. The top post will be awarded the honor of Postpartum Voice of the Year. In the case of a tie, I’ll have a neutral (ie, non-nominated) party make the decision. (Translation – my husband will read both pieces and make the final call. Shhhh. I haven’t asked him yet. But I’m sure he will. If he defers, I’ll recruit another family member.)

Each one of these pieces is unique in their own way yet they all embody honesty, passion, dedication, and a genuine compassion for other mothers who may be traveling along this Postpartum road with us.

As before, please, please read ALL the pieces before you vote. I ask that you vote for the piece which speaks the loudest, the bravest, and touches you the most. The voice which resonates the most with you.

With no further ado, I present the Postpartum Voice of the Year Finalists.

And yes, there is awesome Finalist Badge bling if you want it. Email me, same address as before.

 

Poll I Finalists:

Based on a True Story Part I & Based on a True Story Part II by Pamela at 2 much Testosterone

Please don’t take my Sunshine away (anonymous submission)

 

Poll II Finalists:

I’ve got 99 problems but a mommy ain’t one by @HeirtoBlair

The Bucket by @momgosomething

 

Poll III Finalists:

Post about Postpartum Depression by The Outdoor Wife

My Story by Miranda of Not Super Just Mom

 

Now that you have read all of the posts, vote.

The poll closes in one week. Winners will be announced next Tuesday morning, January 31.

Good luck, ladies!

Postpartum Voice of the Year: Round III

Two weeks of pre-finals down!

This is the final group of nominations before the finalist group goes up for voting next week.

Just was with the previous two groups, these pieces were chosen as Postpartum Voice of the Week here at My Postpartum Voice.

Finalists will go up for voting next Sunday for one week.

The 2010 Postpartum Voice of the Year will be announced on Monday, January 31st.

As more and more women choose to actively share their postpartum mood disorder journeys, we all grow as mothers, as a community, as women who are constantly reaching out to hold the hand of another mother who may be faltering herself.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every one of you for so courageously sharing your stories with the world. You have made a difference in so many lives.

As always, I urge you to go read the pieces prior to voting. You’ll find the titles and URL’s linked below the Poll.

Happy Voting!

P.S. For those of you nominated, email me at mypostpartumvoice(@)gmail if you want a cool “nominated” button for your blog! Go on, brag a bit. You’ve earned it.

When there is no light by @litanyofbritt

 

Proof that I am in a better place by Allison from O My Family

 

Post about Postpartum Depression by The Outdoor Wife

 

The no-baby blues? Postpartum Depression in the baby loss community by Kristine Brite McCormick

 

My Story by Miranda of Not Super Just Mom

 

@karma_D finds her Postpartum voice

Postpartum Voice of the Year: Round II

Welcome to Postpartum Voice of the Year Round II voting.

The first round winners will not be announced until the Final Round of Voting.

As with Round I, this poll includes 6 Postpartum Voices of the Week posts. The top two will be included in the Final Round of Voting.

After this week, there will be a third round of voting prior to the Final Round of voting.

The winner of the Final Round of Voting will be named the Postpartum Voice of 2010. There will definitely be a badge for your blog (if you have one) involved. Not entirely sure what else will be involved as of yet but I’m working on it.

The Final Round of Voting will begin on January 23, 2011 and end on January 30th.

Postpartum Voice of the Year will be announced on January 31, 2011.

I urge you to visit and read each of the entries prior to voting.

Happy voting and sharing!

(FYI, if you are a nominee, email me @ mypostpartumvoice(@)gmail.com for a  nifty Nominated badge!)

Nominee Post Links:

My Voice My Depression by Sue @ Lives Less Ordinary: http://tinyurl.com/23mbyg8

Unplanned by @whodemis: http://tinyurl.com/2g4qrkw

PPD by Stacey @ Maternal Ramblings: http://tinyurl.com/32cmoaa

What if I have PPD & I don’t want to take meds? By Kate Kripke: http://tinyurl.com/37nqlu5

I’ve got 99 problems but a mommy ain’t one by @HeirtoBlair: http://tinyurl.com/38fvwk6

The Bucket by @makemomgosomething: http://tinyurl.com/25aub8t

Postpartum Voice of the Year Voting: Round I

Welcome to the first annual Postpartum Voice of the Year Awards!

Here at My Postpartum Voice, I believe strongly in encouraging and supporting other parents who decide to share their journeys through Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorders. Each week, on Thursdays, I would highlight a different post or submission from around the web as part of my Postpartum Voice of the Week series.

In order to be included in Postpartum Voice of the Year, your post or submission would need to be a Postpartum Voice of the Week. This year there are only 18 entries as the Postpartum Voice of the Week did not start until May.

Next year, I imagine there will be several more entries. Although in 2011, there will be a Postpartum Voice of the Month, as determined by you via voting. Only the Postpartum Voices of the Month will be eligible for Postpartum Voice of the Year in 2011.

This year, there will be voting in three rounds.

All entries are combined in groups of six according to chronological appearance as Postpartum Voice of the Week.

The top two posts will move on to a final round for a total of six finalists.

The finalist will receive bragging rights as Postpartum Voice of the Year, a spiffy badge for their blog, a dedicated blog button here at My Postpartum Voice linking to their blog, and a to-be-determined prize. (I’ll update on that as details are made!)

Beneath the poll below, you will find a list of the posts including a direct link to the post at the author’s blog. If the posts were submissions to My Postpartum Voice, the link will lead to their post here.

If you have been nominated and want to grab a Nominated badge, feel free to email me for it!

I urge you to read each post again before voting.

Happy voting!

Based on a True Story Part I & Based on a True Story Part II by Pamela at 2 much Testosterone

10 questions for a Partner of a PPD Survivor: My Husband by Walker Karraa

Life as we knew it from Carrying Me Through

Label Me & Put me in a box (submission)

Please don’t take my Sunshine away (submission)

The “D” Word by Raising Little Women