In August 2012, I found out I was six weeks pregnant. I was excited, but very nervous, as was my husband. In November, we were way too excited to wait for a twenty week anatomy scan, so at week sixteen, we went and paid for a gender scan. (IT'S A BOY!) We were so excited. My husband especially, he wanted a boy so badly. As my pregnancy progressed, some things got complicated. I was hospitalized at sixteen weeks for kidney problems, and even later on, was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 28 weeks. The doctors didn't expect him to stay in until thirty-seven weeks, so letters were written, (and issues were had) with my husband's command to keep him from going on a six week training deployment. The head of the hospital even got involved. Thankfully, my husband got to stay, although, sick of it, his command moved him to another command that would tolerate his having to take me to appointments. (Since I was on bedrest).
Fast forward to thirty seven weeks, one day. I am scheduled for induction. (He made it that far, yay!) My husband, mother, mother-in-law, and I drive to the hospital, knowing it could be a long process/ I check in, and they do my exam-- Not dilated or effaced at all! (OH MAN. WE'LL BE HERE AWHILE!) We have to do "cervival ripening". So, they insert cervadil at 7:00 PM, and let me know that they'll be leaving that in for twelve hours, see where I was, and if I was dilated enough, start pitocin. (I'm thinking, GOSH, that is going to take forever!)
10 PM, I start to feel crazy contractions, which I wasn't quite expecting yet! They come in and ask if I would like pain meds, I said no. But only held out for a half hour, maybe. (I couldn't do naturally! RESPECT to those who can!) Soon, I started to feel pressure as well. The midwife checks me, not expecting much change. "Oh wow, you're three cm. Do you want the epidural?" (This is going much faster than I thought!) Yes, I do want the epidural. So, I get it, and fall asleep for a few minutes. Soon, everyone rushes in, and I am put on oxygen. Baby's heart rate has dropped. (Regretting the epidural now.) But, it returns to normal, and I sleep until about five AM. I wake up in awful pain! I REALLY want to push! 8 cm! I'm not allowed to push. Not much later, 9.5 cm. Almost there, but still had to wait to push. Very frustrated now.
My mother in law had gone back to our apartment, thinking I wouldn't go into labor that quickly. She rushed and showed up as I was FINALLY able to push. His heart rate was dropping. I was warned they had to use the vaccuum on his head to remove him. (Oh no, I need to push better!) I give it all I got, and he's out/ No sound, and limp. I am terrified. What seemed like a billion nurses are around my bed congratulating me. I'm trying to listen to the doctors with my son. I'm freaking out.
58 seconds. 58 seconds after my son was out, I finally heard his cry. I was so relieved. I cried. And I was finally able to get a good look at the being I spent 37 weeks creating.
Born 7:12 AM, April 3, 2013. Seven pounds, seven ounces. 22 inches long.

He is beautiful.
He is such a sweet baby. I love him so much. Atticus Leonidas Phillips. My son. The best thing to ever happen to me.




My name is Kaylee. I'm originally from Lawton, Oklahoma. I'm currently in Jacksonville, North Carolina with my husband, a United States Navy Corpsman. I don't know many people in this Marine town, but the few that I have met are awesome. I don't need many with my amazing husband.