Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Happy Birthday Tessa!











Our God is Great!


Our God is good!


Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow!


Can you tell I am gushing?


I have so much to share about how this day went down, but I am tired. Scratch that, exhausted.


For now, I want to thank you for the many, many prayers offered on our behalf. I sincerely appreciate it so much. I want to thank Dr. Dood, who came in on his day off to deliver her and be there every step of the way for us.


Born at 1:51 pm.

Weighed a whopping 2 lbs, 10 ounces and 14.5 inches long.


She is currently on a CPAP at the lowest setting, which is pretty close to room air.


Please praise God with us for this incredible gift! There are so many pieces to this story that I want to share where God worked on our behalf.


Tessa is currently in the "honeymoon stage", so they are expecting a few set backs tomorrow or the next day. Please pray that she continues to get stronger and stay healthy, continues to breathe, and does not have any bleeding on the brain.


I am headed off to hold my little girl's hand, and could not be happier!


40 comments:

STEFFIEJ said...

YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS JAMIE, JOSH, KAYDEN, AND BRYCE-MAN!!! TESSA IS BEAUTIFUL!! AND I AM SOOOO HAPPY TO HEAR HOW GREAT SHE IS DOING..WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HER DAILY AS SHE GETS STRONGER AND STRONGER..I STILL CAN'T GET OVER THIS MIRACLE THAT GOD HAS PROVIDED!! GOD IS AWESOME!! I TOLD YOU....I HAD THE FEELING :) I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER FOR YOU..NOW I CAN SHOPPING..YOU KNOW..A GIRL NEEDS LOTS AND LOTS OF NEW THINGS :)

Anonymous said...

Dear Jamie, Josh,and Boys;
We are so happy for you all. We are rejoicing with you and praise Our Awesome, Big, Good God for the wonderful gift of Tessa. We will be praying that she thrives!!!
Blessings to you all
The Van Beeks

Kate @ When Hello Means Goodbye said...

happy birthday tessa!
praying hard for you all, tiny babies hold a very special place in my heart. haven't stopped thinking about you!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, Jamie!! All I can say is that Tessa is absolutely beautiful!! I can not get over how BIG she looks! She has been in my prayers since the beginning and I will continue to pray that the miracle that is her birth will go one and she will get bigger and stronger! One this is definitely for sure, you have a tiny miracle to hold!

sally said...

What a miracle. I am so so grateful. I'll keep praying!

The Hurst's said...

Praises being sung!!! If there was any doubt that God can work miracles he just crushed them with Tessa!!! Congrats. Prayers to all of you!!!

McKenna said...

What a beautiful little girl. Cheryl (Mommypants) told me your story and I am so happy to be able to visit your blog for the first time on Tessa's birthday.
I am the mom to a 2lb. 10oz., 28 weeker. She is now a 30 pound 3 year old, about to start preschool. Sending you tons of strength and hoping for an uneventful NICU stay.

Denise said...

So incredibly grateful for answered prayers! Will continue to pray for strength for Tessa and look forward to meeting your miracle baby! Our God is amazing!

Anonymous said...

What an answer to prayer!!! God is so GOOD!!!

PK said...

Just...awesome...

Jamie Covey said...

She is so absolutely beautiful! I will continue to pray for her and you all as she begins her life. She is one strong spirit. Happy birthday indeed!

Cheryl said...

Oh, Jamie!! She's beautiful! I am so unbelievably thrilled for you and Tessa - what a strong girl! Many, many hugs to you xoxo

Judy said...

Your little Tessa is beautiful!!I am just overflowing with amazement,praise and thanks to our great God for your precious miracle gift.We will keep on praying daily for her health and strength and yours too. Can't wait to hear more amazing stories of your day. Sleep well.

Paula K said...

What a fighter she is! She is precious. Praise the Lord! Rejoicing with you tonight and so thrilled for your and your family.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! What a beautiful gift from God!! I received a text from Stacey P around noon saying that Tessa would be delivered today sometime between one and two. It was all I could do to stay focused on working. I just kept praying, 'Breathe Tessa, breathe!" Now I am sending up prayers of thanksgiving and will continue to pray for health, growth, and an uneventful stay at the NICU.

BabyonBored said...

Congratulations on your gorgeous girl. As a mom of a 2.6 33 weeker I feel you! Thinking of your family and sending positive loving vibes your way!

Lisa said...

Happy Birthday Tessa! If only she knew how many people are in love with her already, she has touched so many hearts! Praising God for answered prayers and miracles! Thank you so much for posting already, we were all very excited to get to see her! Continued prayers for health and stregth for you all.
The Wiersma Family

Jill said...

I've been following your blog for a while now and praying for you. I'm so glad things are going well and will continue to pray for your sweet girl to grow and be strong!

Julie said...

Oh, Jamie!! Congratulations to you and your family! Continued prayers!

Ciaran/Momfluential said...

I will keep your beautiful baby girl and you in my prayers for the coming days Jamie. She is so sweet. Sending tons of love your way!

JULIAN & Co. said...

Oh Jamie, congratulations. I love love love the pics. She is absolutely beautiful! God is good indeed. Hugs and kisses and continued prayers for you, baby and family. xoxo

Cheralyn Nichols said...

There are no words to describe the miracle we have all witnessed today. To God be the glory great things he hath done!! and will continue to do. So excited for you all. We will continue to lift you up in prayer:) Thanks so much for sharing with us. What a gift

Jill said...

I just cried when I saw your post. Praise God for a sweet baby girl!! I will continue to pray hard for all of you as you continue to go through difficult times of waiting. Sending lots of love from California!!!

Marva's "Marvalous" Memories said...

Jamie and Josh - Congratulations on your precious gift from God! Could hardly stand it once I knew you were having a c-section. I just prayed constantly. Then I just wanted to scream when I heard she came out crying!! Praise God!! We will continue to pray that Tessa grows stronger every day and that her stay in the hospital won't be any longer than necessary.

Heather Ledeboer said...

Jamie I am crying tears of joy, so thankful, so amazing, so grateful for God's blessings. I pray all continues to move in a positive direction. Yeah God!

Jennifer I. said...

Oh Jamie, Tessa is beautiful!!! I have been following this journey on your blog and I am so in awe of your strength and your faith. Tessa seems to be taking after her amazing mother! Continued prayers that Tessa continues to get stronger each day. Big hugs to you and your family. xoxo

Angie Proudfit said...

It was hard to read thru my tears of joy and amazement! Our God is so good! and He hears our cries.
Blessings to your family of 5!

Sarah said...

Josh and Jamie,
Praise the Lord for this post and wonderful news! I got chills when I saw the pictures and read about Tessa's arrival. What an absolute miracle! We continue to pray, pray, pray for progress, growth, health and strength. Rejoicing with you!
The Rozema's
(Tony works with Josh @ DCS)

Sandy Naber said...

Praise God for your beautiful baby girl!I have been praying constantly yesterday and will continue today and the days ahead!!Our God is AWESOME!!

natalie said...

Josh and Jamie, your daughter is beautiful. Happy Birthday to Tessa. She is a miracle, and I can't wait to meet her. We will continue to pray for health and strength.

Anonymous said...

We haven't met yet, but our kids are youngsters at DCS, and I happen to be a nurse in the DeVos Children's NICU... We just wanted you to know that our family is so thrilled with you at Tessa's healthy arrival! Our God can do mighty things!! We have prayed for all of you, and will continue now that she is here. What a MIRACLE!
Dana Zeinstra and family

Admin said...

What a beautiful, little miracle! Praying for your family!

Anonymous said...

Your road marked with suffering has turned into a pathway of joy! May God be with your family and Tessa every step of the way down this new pathway. We are thanking God with you for this beautiful gift He has given your family. We'll keep you all in our prayers! Mike & Sharon Van Oyen & family

Unknown said...

Jesus, extend the honeymoon....
Blessings to you all, Jamie.
much love,
lynn

Heidi said...

Praise the Lord for your precious gift in Tessa! I have been praying for you my friend, since I first read of your pregnancy. I am so excited for you and your family, Jaime. Enjoy and rejoice!

AllyZabba said...

congratulations. that is such wonderful, joyful news. you will be in our prayers over the next days, weeks & months. we have a big God who can do anything!

jill

Michelle said...

She is truly yours! in the first pic I saw Bryce, in the second- I see Jamie :) What a cute little Birdy!
Congratulations, again, friends. Our hearts are bursting with joy!

grammyjan(mom) said...

Oh Jaimie! She is wonderful! Gorgeous! Congratulations! You did a wonderful job! Praise be to God for this miracle baby Tessa! All my love, grammyjan

Facebook said...

Mary Abbott, Staci Pawloski, Kathy Barr and 65 others like this..

Kelly Dykstra Boonstra Oh what an amazing & awesome God we serve!! I have tears of joy for you & your family, Jamie!!!! Beautiful pictures of your Tessa!! I will continue to pray for continued health for her. YAY!!!!!!

Shelley Kuipers How beautiful to see those tiny fingers and toes! Praying for strength and rest for you tonight too.

Jen Hoeksema Cliff Praising God! What a beautiful, precious miracle! We will continue to pray for Tessa and all of your family!!!

Holly Morren Cravino ‎2lbs and 10oz. of pure miracle! Praise God!!

Heather Dykhouse praising God with you! Congrats- she is a beautiful miracle! We will continue to keep your whole family in our prayers.

Stephanie Collins Cogdell Johnson SHE IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!! I'VE BEEN WAITING "IMPATIENTLY" :) TO SEE HER ALL DAY...I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU FRIEND!!! HAPPY LIL' FAMILY OF FIVE!! CONTINUED PRAYERS COMING HER WAY!!!

Kate Henkel Bloemers Prayers for you all!!

Freeda Mae Dulyea-Phillips All the things you mentioned are typical of a premie baby. They watch for the breathing and bleeding on the brain and they will be checking her eyes to make sure the oxygen won't affect her sight. All normal problems.

Mandy Miedema She is so beautiful! What a wonderful gift! I have been praying and will continue to pray for you and your family!

Sherry Bunch Woodrow continued prayers for Tessa! we love you all! what a miracle! God is good. thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures.

Jennifer Hurst Praises being sung!!! If there was any doubt that God can work miracles he just crushed them with Tessa!!! Congrats. Prayers to all of you!!!

Jennifer Sterk Beautiful, Praying for strength for all of you! Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Mary Abbott Josh and Jamie giving glory to God on this special day. Lifting you up to God for strength, perseverance, patience, and peace as you continue this journey with Tessa. May the hurdles be small and the path be smooth and straight.

Tina Norris Wilson Continuing to pray for you all, Jamie...and to praise G-d for His many blessings today! May tomorrow bring more happiness with your precious baby girl!

Grace Lobbezoo what a beautiful little girl! prayers of thanksgiving!!

Betsy DeYoung Jenison I'm speechless!! What an AWESOME answer to all of the prayers!! She's beautiful! Praying for her to grow and get strong enough to come home to her family!!!! Congrats to you and your family!!

Becky Morales She is beautiful! I will continue to pray for your family.

Karin Hartman Harmon She is beautiful Jamie! Congratulations!! Many prayers for you and your family.

Facebook said...

Jody Smith She is beautiful! Absolutely PERFECT! Continuing to pray for you all while you care for God's little miracle! Welcome Ms. Tessa!

Jodi Salzwedel Knipp Jamie and Josh she is BEAUTIFUL!!! Our continued thoughts and prayers are with her!!! What a little miracle she is God is good ALL the time!!!

Jodi Mikel Absolutely amazing! Congratulations!

Rebecca Schuringa Helmus Such a beautiful, perfect little girl! Congrats!!! Praying that Tessa stays strong and for you as you face the next weeks with her in the NICU.

Kate Klynstra Thanks for sharing! She's such a beautiful little miracle!

Laura Koning Incredible, Jamie. Absolutely precious. Best wishes to all of you.

Tina Zinnanti Keeve Congratulations to you!! Tessa is surley a blessing from God above. I am praying for all good things for you all!! God is good, all the time!

Becky Piper Emmons Congrats! Words cannot explain God's goodness!

Lisa VanHofwegen Love seeing the pics! Prayers will continue as you recover and as Tessa is in NICU! Praise the Lord!

Joya Logue Amazing! God is good indeed. She is just precious! Congratulations!!! Lots of love from us! xoxo

Jessica Hekman Ahhh.... tears..... Praise God. Continuing to lift you all up in prayer big time.

Cynthia Nichols Crowell She looks tough and ready to fight to get to be in her Mommy's arms!! Congrats! We serve an awesome God!! I will continue to pray for Tessa and all the people helping her.

Sue Dood It's been an AWESOME day:)

Kristie Fromer Hoekwater WOW!!! What a great day!! We look forward to watching her grow! (How cool to have front row to a miracle!!)

Erin Mahoney Allen Wow!!! Overwhelmed with joy fir you all!! Praying for little sweet Tessa!

Kim Gage Hewitt Precious little one! We're so VERY happy for you! Praise God!

Shanda Goff Bauman Jamie, What a blessing!! God is great and Tessa is amazing.