He's here!

Hello Everyone!
   I don't have much time but I would like to update you all on everything that went down this past week. Our little boy- Landon Kyle Shelley was born on May 2, 2012 after 29 hours of labor. 8 lbs. 4 oz, 20 inches long, and a head full of hair. I like to tell people that I was in labor for 3 days but I really wasn't. =) That is what it seems like though because we went in to be induced on Monday night at 11:00 pm and then had him Wednesday morning at 4:00 am. See- 3 days =) But it was really only 1 and a little bit. Yes, it took forever but he is here and finally healthy and safe. I am so glad that we chose to be induced- even though it was the hardest and longest thing I have ever done. The doctor said that if we would have waited any longer he probably wouldn't have come without a c-section.

His birth was the most incredible and most sacred experience of my life. I don't want to share too much because it is so special to me but I know that I received heavenly help to bring Landon into the world. The doctors didn't think that he would come because he wasn't budging for hours but I told the doctor I knew I could do it and she let me try and I am so grateful for her allowing me to. It was physically the hardest thing I have ever done. I pushed for 2.5 hours and then he got stuck on his hair when he was crowning. "Just one more push!" the doctor kept saying but then it was just one more and then one more after that until the friction from his hair finally gave. He finally came (with the help from the vacuum), help from my sister, mom, and husband by my sides counting for me and cheering me on, help from the doctor and nurses, and help from Heavenly Father. The epidural was also really helpful too! By the way, to all of you who haven't had one- the I.V. they put in my hand hurt worse than the epidural. I didn't even feel it. So don't be scared of it if you are. I couldn't have given birth without it. Thank goodness for modern day medicine! So, Landon finally came and he had the biggest cone head I have ever seen but he was also the most beautiful thing I have ever seen too. Recovery was the hardest part but I jumped back fast and so did Landon.

They were worried about Landon when he came out. He didn't pass some of his Apgar tests and I had a fever while I delivered him and also tested positive with an infection so they thought that Landon might have some sort of infection as well. He had to be in the NICU for a couple days and be pumped full of antibiotics through an I.V. in his head. But thanks to everyone's prayers and fasts we both were released just after 2 days. It really was a miracle. Everything about his birth was a miracle. The doctor said that in order for him to go home in 2 days he needed to improve tremendously and he did. He was a little fighter- he is a little fighter. What a strong little boy we have! And I know that it was because of his strength, all of your prayers, priesthood blessings from Kyle, and faith that he made it here safe. They never found out if he had an infection because they treated him right away for one. So if he had one then the antibiotics did their job in fighting it off. Both Landon and I went through a lot and I think that is why he didn't respond so well after birth. But he is here! My sweet baby boy is here and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for sending me this little angel.

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. They were definitely felt and I know they helped heal us both. Love always- Kaitlyn, Kyle, and Landon Shelley

Here are some pics my sweet sister- Amber took for us today! Landon didn't want to sleep during the photo shoot so we got some classic faces =) This one is my favorite though: