Two days. That's how long it took me to get through Heather's book. Two days of laughing, empathizing and feeling grateful someone completely nailed the experience of working through postpartum depression.

Reading this book felt like going through the birth of my first child. From the discomforts of pregnancy through the weird feeling when the baby's plopped down on your chest - when the creature who'd been kicking your bladder for nine months actually comes out and has a real physical presence – she described that perfectly. Every parent will identify with the first few weeks of absolute physical and mental exhaustion, especially the person who was home with the baby and up all night nursing. The exhaustion leads some, like it did me, to deep, dark depression, and wondering how you'll get through the next five minutes. I even hallucinated at night sometimes, I was so tired. I thought the animals on the wallpaper border were moving … That's how out of it I was.

Those who haven't had children may not get it. It looks so perfect from the outside, and a lot of mothers make it look effortless. Those women, let me tell you, have REGULAR HELP. But for those of us who didn't, the experience can be one of the most earth-shattering on earth. Sure, you're happy to have a healthy baby, and when they start smiling and giggling they light up a room, but when hormones and brain chemistry run awry, it has nothing to do with how much you love your child, and everything to do with depression that's out of your control.

No one has the right to judge that. Only those who've been through it can truly understand.

And this book? It made me feel I wasn't alone, that I wasn't a freak (well, in some ways). It also made me laugh 'til my stomach hurt. It's a great read AND an ab workout. What more could you ask?

And now …

Here's your chance to own your very own, pristine, signed copy of Heather's book.

All the same rules apply. Comment in the comment section, and for goodness sake leave me some way to get hold of you!

I'll leave the contest open 'til 12:00 midnight this Saturday, and that's CDT – Chicago time zone.

We'll hold a drawing at Bluestalking Central on Sunday, and announce the winner sometime the same day. I'll contact you, or if you see you're the winner shoot me an email at: lisaguidarini@yahoo.com

The winner will need to send me a snail mail address, as I can't get hold of a teleporter. And the book will be YOURS! YOURS! YOURS!

Please enter only once, as your name will only go into the pot once. Play nicely! No shoving, no foul language and for goodness sake no right turn on red from 9:00 a.m. 'til 4:00 p.m.

GOOD LUCK! May the Dooce be with you.