Archive for the ‘About BabyOrBust’ Category

Using my Web site for Good- not evil

Tuesday, March 25th, 2008

OK- again, nothing to do with babies. But I know the nice people who visit this site will definitely help with the first item and possibly be interested in the second.

VOTE FOR WICHITA!! A good friend of mine designed Wichita’s minor league baseball team’s logo, Wichita Wingnuts. The logo has made it to the Sweet 16 in a national logo contest at CNBC. We need your vote today!!

WIN BERNIE’S BERNDANA!
As I shared- I had the opportunity to talk to Biggest Loser’s Bernie for Diets In Review last week, or the week before. He is such an amazingly nice guy that he sent me an autographed Berndana, and we’re giving it away at Diets In Review.

Congrats are LONG Overdue

Tuesday, August 21st, 2007

I was notified a few weeks ago that some loyal BOB readers, probably since day one, have had a baby. They requested that their names be withheld to protect the innocent. So, I’m honoring that request.

Of all the people who’ve reached out to us in the past year, and been involved with IVF/infertility as well, they’re the first couple to have had a baby. They beat the odds! They won! They said HA-HA in the face of whoever it is that said they couldn’t!

They are in a similar male-factor infertility situation. She was very sweet and said “It is with a little apprehension that I write – but “HUSBAND” says – it should give you guys hope.” Indeed it does, and I was so glad to hear from her.

They welcomed a beautiful, healthy baby girl in early July. The little gal arrived about a month early- but everyone is happy, healthy and home.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! Hopefully this gives a little hope to all of you as well.

3 Months- I’m a jerk!

Wednesday, July 11th, 2007

OK, I didn’t realize it had been THREE MONTHS since I last posted. I’m a jerk! This is disgusting. While there are no excuses, I will tell you that Shelton and I have achieved a level of unstoppable busyness over the last few months that I’m just going to offer that up and hope you’ll accept.

So, I just wanted to throw out my apologies, hope you’ll still like me and then I’ll begin making posts to get you up to speed……….. without a 14-page post about 101 different things.

July 1

Wednesday, July 11th, 2007

Just like most husbands, I have failed to wish Baby or Bust a timely HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! On July 1, BOB turned one year. It all kicked off last July with a “test” donation from my brother, Kyle, and quickly turned into more than $6,000 in donations. Unbelievable. Our goal was of course not met, but I think we never anticipated receiving that much. From perfect strangers no less.

BOB has definitely been a wild ride for Shelton and I. This was yet again one of my wild whims that he gave into. But I just knew I had to do it. Strip away the donations, I just wanted to provide a place where the average Joe, like Shelton and I, could find valid, real-life information about infertility. I knew if I were looking for it and couldn’t find it, then I certainly couldn’t be alone.

We’ve heard from hundreds and hundreds of people from right here in Wichita to Spain, Australia, Switzerland everywhere in between. I think it was less than a week that we received a donation from a woman in Madrid, Spain. It was a perfect example of how quickly the Internet unites us and makes the world oh-so small.

Shelton and I did several radio interviews, the CBS Early Show interview, made front page of the Wichita Eagle and have been featured (and kicked in the teeth) on countless Web sites. It was this press coverage that helped BOB to be as successful as it has been and we are grateful to all of the media representatives who saw in us a story worth sharing.

I’m proud of this site and I’m proud of the attention it has brought to infertility. I’ve learned that the people who need this site have found their way to it. I’ve learned that ultimately, laughing about this has been my best medicine- and I hope it’s yours too. There’s nothing we can do about it. My life is too short to waste it feeling sorry for myself and what if-ing myself into corners I can’t back out of. I’ve learned to appreciate the abundance in my life and not to take an ounce of it for granted- the support of our families, the love of our friends (and who the real ones are), the gift of two really great jobs, our perfect health, the strength of our marriage. I’ve learned the generosity of strangers- and I’m now more inclined than ever to reciprocate that generosity at every opportunity I have.

We recently renewed our domain name, so we’re going to be around for a while. This past year would not have been possible with out the encouragement and support of all of our friends and family, the thousands of visitors to our site, the overwhelming generosity of the donors and emails filled with kind words and support.

Happy Anniversary Baby or Bust- and thank you to each of you for making it possible!!

Technical Difficulties

Sunday, July 16th, 2006

We apologize for the site being down lately. Our hosting service had a server go down that affected several websites. Our wonderful site designer has moved the site over to his host for the time being and has a redirect in place on the old server. This was the best method for us right now since a change in DNS would take aprox. 48 hours to take effect and we are going to be on the CBS Early Morning Show tomorrow morning. As soon as everything is back up we will move it back, until then there may be a slight delay in seeing your donations on the Progress & Expense page.

Thank you for your patience.

Share the Love

Friday, July 14th, 2006

We just received an E-mail about an our ago from a couple in Canada who is going through a similar situation. They have asked for help and we are happy to oblige. They have already gone through the IVF process once successfully, but unfortunately lost the pregnancy. Their next attempt is coming up in October and she is having a hard time finding the means. We have agreed to donate all internet donations made on Saturday, July 15th to them.

We have asked for proof of her situation and upon receipt and verification we will begin to share the love. Now, if this cannot be accommodated, then all funds will go back into the BabyorBust fund.

BabyorBust was founded on the idea that we could open people’s eyes to IVF and the expense and emotion that it brings with it. Our hope at the end is to continue accepting donations, along with any additional funds left over, in order to offer grants to other couples facing infertility. We look forward to helping so many more couples- and thank you for the overwhelming support we’ve received so far.

Together, we’re all going to make a huge difference.