I am a chatterbox. I talk far too much. All the time. I am very rarely rendered speechless. However, on Saturday night, something strange happened…
…I won the award for Best Baby Blog 2013 at the Mad Blog Awards in London’s fabulous Royal Garden Hotel.
I was… rendered speechless.
When my category winner was announced as “Crazy with Twins“, I’m sure I sat there for a few seconds just taking it in, in a state of shock. I shakily walked to the stage and took my award from the lovely Merry who writes Patch of Puddles, and then and there I was hit by a blank wall of nothingness. I couldn’t think of anything to say. I wasn’t even sure if I was expected to say anything. So I said an embarrassed “Thankyou” into the microphone and had a photo taken with Dr Ranj of CBeebies fame, and Merry, before floating offstage on cloud nine.
It all happened so fast, I didn’t have time to think and it didn’t sink in that I’d won until about twenty minutes later, when I got a bit emotional and needed some air. I also needed to phone my mum! (I phone my mum every day – sometimes more than once)! However, I felt a bit bad about not doing a proper acceptance speech. So here it is…
I started my blog, when I was 30 weeks pregnant with twins and had been signed off work with SPD. Little did I know, when I was taking the mick out of myself online, that I actually had a very serious complication of Pre-Eclampsia, called HELLP Syndrome, which threatened the lives of both my babies, and myself.
I was so very very lucky to not only survive HELLP Syndrome, but for both babies to survive and be well. They are my blessings. We lived to tell the tale. My blog saw all of this and it saw me document every part of the twins first year of life. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed blogging about my babies and their big sister and I feel truly honoured to have won Best Baby Blog against such strong competition. The other finalists in my category have fabulous blogs!
Thankyou so much to everyone who reads my blog, who nominated me or voted for me. I really appreciate it, and I still have so much more to share with you all.
Thankyou also, to my amazing husband, who has only recently began to understand my obsession with blogging, and to my three incredible children, whom are the centre of my universe.
Ermm… you see – that would have been quite long. Good job I didn’t do a speech hey?
The Mad Blog Awards was a truly incredible night in fantastic company. Including two of the other finalists in my category, who are truly lovely people, Dear Beautiful and My Two Mums. It was a pleasure to chat with them.
I got pampered by the team at OriFlame who did my makeup – sorry if I was a bit demanding!
Tom Arber was there taking stunning photos of us all – a very talented photographer!
Photo by Tom Arber Photography for MAD Blog Awards.
Really chuffed that Fiona of Coombe Mill won her category too.
Dinner… was incredible. All four courses of it! You may remember me talking about the dinner in my Pre-MADS post!
I had an emotional talk with the lovely Laura who blogs at Tired Mummy of Two, as her daughter Elizabeth has the same Leukaemia as I had when I was a child. I don’t think she realises how lovely it was to talk to her, one-to-one in person.
I witnessed (through tears) my room-mate, one of the purest people I’ve ever met, receive her award for outstanding contribution with her blog Edspire. Jennie you are beautiful, inside and out, a true inspiration, who truly deserved that award. Matilda Mae’s legacy will live on, because of you. Be proud.
I got to chat in person with some lovely bloggers, who it was a pleasure to meet in person, whether for the first time, the second time or even the third. Far too many for me to mention!
However I can’t forget my closest friends in the blogging world Sarah Mum of Three World and Vicky of VeViVos, who I was lucky enough to have a lovely lunch with before the awards.
Myself and Actually Mummy got referred to as Ying and Yang of dresses, both of which were hired from Wish Want Wear.
All credit for this amazing evening, goes to Sally Whittle, owner of Tots100, the Mad Blog Awards and writer of blog Who’s the Mummy. Sally, you do so much for the blogging world and you are an inspirational mum to Flea.
You can see all the winners here.
I also really loved the hotel we stayed in. It was clean and luxurious and had everything we needed, including a shower big enough for all the MADS winners!
I’m very excited waiting to hear from Mothercare now, who sponsored my award and are providing me with vouchers as a prize. Perfect prize for me – do you have any idea how much it costs to dress twins? AND a 6 year old who likes to match her sisters?!
Emma, I don’t think I got a chance to say a HUGE congratulations on your well-deserved win.
Monika recently posted..The mystical, magical Milton Manor in Oxfordshire
Definitely a well-deserved win for you, love your blog and was so chuffed to end up sitting on your table! It was an amazing evening and you looked stunning 🙂 well done!
Congratulations on your win! Good speech, probably better in writing, Sally would have kicked your butt for making things run too slowly 😉
Ramblings Of A Suburban Mummy recently posted..Moving To Packed Lunches
looks like you had a fab time. huge congratulations on winning, well deserved!!! x
chantelle hazelden recently posted..Give Us Mums (and dads) A Break
What a lovely post and a well-deserved win. Was so pleased when they announced your name. Thank you so much for the mention. X
Sarah MumofThree World recently posted..Booking the swimming lessons
Thank you so much for the lovely mention Emma. You looked stunning and I am so over the moon for you that you won your category – very well deserved. I am really chuffed to be considered one of your best blogger friends. Thank you xx
Verily Victoria Vocalises recently posted..Making Your Marco on Christmas! Top Tips for the Perfect Turkey.
Huge congratulations again Emma, so chuffed for you. Wonderful post too, you’ve highlighted so many great moments. And thank you for the mention too Charly x
Charly Dove recently posted..Little steps
Big big BIG congratulations! It was a lovely evening x
It was fabulous to twin up with you in our dresses – you looked beautiful, and big congratulations!
Actually Mummy… recently posted..Losing gracefully – a life lesson
Congratulations on your win, very much deserved and what a lovely post too! xx
Super Busy Mum {Debs} recently posted..Running, Strength, Freedom
HUGE congratulations to you!
xxx
ghostwritermummy recently posted..Why did you start your blog?
Fantastic speech and very well deserved award.
Jen aka The Mad House recently posted..Dumb ways to die – my new earworm
Congratulations! I love the idea of a belated acceptance speech when you’ve had time to compose yourself. No one wants to be hooked off stage for taking too long now do they?
Vanessa Jane Holburn recently posted..Sounds like a great party – love the look of that …
Congratulations, I’m thrilled for you. This is a lovely post about a fantastic evening. Enjoy spending your vouchers.
Mums do travel recently posted..Emirates Stadium Family Enclosure
Massive congratulations Emma, it was lovely to see you on Friday briefly. x
Katie @mummydaddyme recently posted..A MAD Evening.
Great to have you there – and your frock was amazing 🙂
Sally recently posted..The one with the School Trip
A great post speech, what a lovely thing to think to do. I’ve loved reliving the evening though your blog post. So many congratulations on a great win, I cheered so loud for you x
Coombemill recently posted..Wow! The MAD Blog Awards.
Congratulations Emma, was absolutely over the moon for you 🙂 xxx
Many congratulations. I am glad you had such a great time – and managed to sort the dress out (actually on seeing all the pictures I can see how it was a big deal but was trying to get you not to worry). You look fabulous. And am gad you got to catch up with some other amazing people.
Pinkoddy recently posted..Let Us Tell You a Story- Part Three
And I finally get round to commenting……. CONGRATULATIONS!!! It was lovely to see you and have a bit of a chance to chat on Friday, you looked gorgeous in your fancy frock. I hope it’s beginning to sink in now, and that you’ve found somewhere deserving to put your award. x
Lucy at Dear Beautiful recently posted..happy first birthday beautiful girl
Thanks for coming along, congrats on your win and on having THE most gorgeous dress of the night 🙂
Sally recently posted..Stuff That’s More Important Than Homework
Congratulations! That is a big win, I struggle to make a few interesting grunts on my website blog, so I am truly in awe! xx