When Kristin and Jacob Tyler discovered they were expecting their second child, their hearts were filled with joy and anticipation. But that happiness quickly turned to fear when a routine ultrasound revealed a four-pound tumor growing from their unborn daughter's tailbone. Faced with an uncertain future, the young couple leaned into their faith and trusted in God’s plan, finding strength in the face of the unimaginable. Today, their daughter, lovingly called a “miracle baby,” is a testament to the power of love, prayer, and unshakable hope.
A Shocking Diagnosis at 20 Weeks
Kristin Tyler, 23, and her husband Jacob, 25, a homemaker and a mechanic, had never imagined the road they would have to walk. Originally from Cottonport, Louisiana, and now living in Alexandria, the couple’s world turned upside down in February 2024. Just months earlier, in September 2023, they had been ecstatic to learn they were expecting their second child. They were already parents to a one-year-old son, William, and were looking forward to expanding their family.
But at a routine 20-week ultrasound, their joy turned to fear. Doctors initially suspected spina bifida, but after more tests, the reality was even more shocking. Their unborn daughter, Adalida, was diagnosed with a sacrococcygeal teratoma—a rare, four-pound tumor attached to her tailbone. Kristin vividly remembers that moment. “My heart dropped to my stomach,” she said. “I felt helpless and broken-hearted.”
Facing the Unknown with Faith
As the tumor grew, it posed a grave risk to Adalida’s heart, threatening to overwhelm her tiny body. Kristin and Jacob grappled with the terrifying unknown. “Would she survive? Would she ever crawl or walk?” Kristin’s mind was filled with worry. But faith anchored them. “There was a sense of peace in putting trust and faith in God’s hands. No matter the outcome, trusting God’s plan helped me overcome what felt like the impossible,” Kristin said.
Amid the chaos, the couple clung to their faith, leaning on prayer and the encouragement of loved ones. Their family and friends enveloped them in a blanket of love, praying and offering unwavering support. Kristin remembers feeling both the weight of the struggle and the warmth of that support. “We call her our miracle baby,” she said, a testament to the faith that kept them strong.
A Journey of Hope and Determination
The Tylers knew they needed specialized care, so they made the difficult decision to travel more than 200 miles from their home to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. Dr. Ahmed Nassr, a maternal-fetal medicine expert and fetal surgeon, explained the high-risk nature of the situation. The tumor was enormous—“a little bit smaller than a watermelon, but larger than a cantaloupe,” he said. There was a constant threat that it could rupture, putting Adalida’s life in immediate danger. Through every appointment, Kristin and Jacob prayed for strength and clung to each other, reminded that their faith had to be stronger than their fear.
A High-Risk Delivery
On May 21, 2024, at 34 weeks, Kristin delivered baby Adalida via C-section. Kristin’s first glimpse of her daughter was on a hospital room camera. “I got to see her for a split second,” she recalled, tears streaming down her face. Adalida was rushed to the NICU, and Kristin could do nothing but pray. Sitting beside her hospital bed, Jacob held her hand. “‘God, please. Let her make it through this,’” they whispered together, their faith sustaining them through the fear.
A Successful Surgery and Fragile Recovery
Two days later, the surgical team, led by Dr. Sundeep Keswani, chief of pediatric surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital, removed the tumor. It was a moment of both dread and hope. “The surgery was a challenge, but Dr. Keswani did an amazing job,” Kristin said. Adalida’s recovery was delicate. She lay prone on her stomach, and her parents had to learn to change her dressings without causing her pain. “It was a challenge learning how to care for her incision,” Kristin admitted. But every obstacle was met with prayer and faith, and the couple found strength in each other.
A Moment of Joy and Relief
On May 29, Kristin was finally able to hold her baby for the first time. “I held her for exactly 2 hours and 2 minutes, and I felt like I never wanted to put her back down,” she said. It was a long-awaited moment of pure joy and relief. Even though Adalida had to come home on her original due date, June 29, in a car bed to avoid pressure on her surgical site, every step of her healing was a miracle to behold. “Today, she’s a good, happy baby,” Kristin said. “She’s healthy. She’s all good. She’s healed.”
Gratitude and the Power of Community
Support poured in from all corners. Family, friends, and even strangers organized fundraisers, offering love and financial help. “I’m eternally grateful for all the love, prayers, and support shown to our family in such a dark time,” Kristin said. She is especially thankful for her mother, who took care of William, allowing Kristin to be with Adalida. “Looking back, it felt like an eternity, but I’m so grateful we came out the other side stronger than ever,” she added.
Leaning on Faith Every Step of the Way
Through their darkest moments, faith remained the Tylers’ guiding light. Jacob would remind Kristin, “God’s plan is bigger than we could imagine.” They often read scripture together, sometimes through tears, finding solace in God’s promises. “God brought us out of the darkness together,” Kristin said, her voice full of gratitude. The entire experience was a testament to the power of prayer and love, a journey that only deepened their bond and strengthened their faith.
A Miracle Baby Thriving Today
Today, Adalida is a picture of health, meeting all her developmental milestones and bringing boundless joy to her family. The Tylers will always call her their “miracle baby,” a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the strength found in love and community. They know that every moment with her is a precious gift, one they treasure with grateful hearts.
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