Let's start by saying that I was 30, single, happy, debt-free (thanks to the USMC) and enjoying sex. I normally used protection, but there were two friends whom I was sleeping with that I didn't make wear a condom. I knew them well enough to know that they would be good fathers if I got pregnant, whether we were together or not.

Did I mention I was 30 and my clock was ticking? I did offer the protection but didn't force them. Well, I ended up with 2 possible fathers.

I had been in the Marine Corps for nearly 12 years when I got out. I had always wanted to be pregnant while in the corps, but it never happened. I got out on March 4, 2001, and was pregnant within 30 days! Luckily, I was still being covered medically by the military for 120 days. And since my pregnancy was determined during that time, they covered my whole pregnancy. Finally, the military was giving back to me!

I took a home test and it was confirmed. I called my girlfriend and told her first and explained the situation. She joked and reminded me that she told me I couldn't have a baby until I had my AA degree and that I was breaking that rule. I told her I wasn't because I would have the degree in three months and the baby in 9 months.

I was going to wait to tell the fathers until after I went to medical for the real test. I couldn't wait though. I told Ern after about three days. He was very happy and completely understood that it might be Kenny's. I finally got a hold of Kenny after about month 3. He said if it was his, he'd be there for it. Ern had said it would be his either way.

I had no morning sickness at all! This was a big plus because I'm about useless when I'm nauseous. Ern had about five days of morning sickness. I was just tired, moody and pissy. Everyone was always telling me to go take a nap, especially when I was getting in a witchy (rhymes with) mood.

I was due December 19, and Ern flew out on the 17th. Unfortunately, he couldn't find a ride from the airport and asked me to pick him up. I really didn't mind doing this except that the airport was over an hour away, and I was due in two days. I told him yes but if I went into labor on the side of the road I was going to kick his a**!

I also talked to my tummy and told our son that we had to pick Daddy up and not to send Mommy into labor until we were all safe at home in Barstow. I was to deliver on the army base, and it was 45 minutes from my apartment. He listened very well, and we made it back.

Ern and I had dinner at Sizzler, then went home for the night. I tried to talk him into watching Maternity Ward with me, but he was too tired. He joked that he better get some sleep because I'd be delivering soon. He walked off to bed saying see ya at 0300.

I went to bed at about 2200 (10 p.m.) and was back up by 2215. I was starting to get some cramping. And I was worried that I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between my constant, everyday back pain and the labor pain! The contractions started at eight to 10 minutes apart and were fairly strong. They were all in my lower back, and I was sliding off the couch onto the floor in pain.

The doctor said to head in when they were four or five minutes apart, but I was calling at six or seven minutes. Remember, I was 45 minutes away. Also, thanks to a cheating ex-husband, I had herpes and was having a flare-up since the 37th week (I went to 40 weeks). I HAD to have a Cesarean section for the baby's sake. With that information, the nurse said to come on in now!

I took a quick shower and woke Ern up at 0300, 3 a.m. (he was right!). We were out the door by 0330, and I was hooked up to the hospital monitors by 0430.

Now, to add to everything else, there was another woman with my same name and same last four digits of her SSN that was delivering a baby too! They were forever mixing up our records for appointments. She happened to deliver on the 16th and was still there. So I had additional wrist bands and red tags saying NAME ALERT!

I believe I was around 3 or 4 centimeters dilated when I arrived. It really didn't matter because they couldn't let me get too far since I needed a C-section. Ern was very helpful, caring and patient with me. I really didn't need that much, as I was handling the contractions by gripping onto the bed handles.

I was confusing the doctors though, as I was the second Michelle Harrison they had seen in about 24 hours.

I called my boss at 0630 to tell him I would be delivering soon. I was trying to hang up because they were trying to wheel me out at that very moment. As they wheeled me out I asked what the other Michelle had earlier. I was told a girl. I replied, Good, at least I know I'll get the right baby since I'm having a boy!

I was wheeled out at 0630 and had my son by 0705. All I felt was the pulling/moving from side to side as they tried to get him out. We stayed in the hospital for three days and had the whole place to ourselves.

Isaiah Eros was born on December 18, 2001, at 7:05 a.m. weighing 6 pounds, 14 ounces and 19 1/2 inches. Ern has been there for us for the last 2 years, and I have been in contact again with Kenny.