Santa holds 2-day-old triplets in the NICU at Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. From left are Malia, Zara and Theo Thomas. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Little Ryker Wittenbach has a twinkle in his eyes as Santa lifts him from his crib. Santa is played by retired neonatologist Craig Kinney, MD. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Alice Howard and Santa gently hold Alice's 8-day old son, Phillip Knight. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Phillip Knight is snug in his first Christmas cap and stocking. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Brooklyn Fox's shirt states a truth: The best presents come in small packages. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Twins Dawson and Bennett Skutt are tucked comfortably in Santa's arms. "They're beautiful," Santa said. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Dawson Skutt wears his very first Christmas outfit that is sized for an elf. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Calvin Sager reaches to grab a handful of Santa's beard. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Dalton Long wears a reindeer outfit for his photo with Santa. Big sister Seren helped get him dressed. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Alexandra Sherrell contemplates her Christmas list as Santa leans in close. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa peeks in to check on Isaac Spaulding-Montenegro. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Melisa and Eric LaPointe hold their tiny twins, Lily and Willow. Santa joins the family for a photo. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa cradles 1-month-old Dream Cann. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Willam and Cortez Hooper get a visit from Santa before their first Christmas. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Zevah Williams wears a beautiful bow as she finds comfort in Santa's arms. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Jade Nederveld looks Santa right in the eye. Santa and Jade's mom, Rachel, can't stop looking a Jade. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
John and Charles Lomber fit perfectly in Santa arms as the jolly elf gets a chance to sit for a while. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa lets Lakelyn Mae Rasmussen in on a Christmas secret. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Amelia Asberry is wrapped up like a Christmas present in Santa's hands. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa gazes at Jaleel Smoot, a beautiful baby boy in a green striped stocking cap. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Anna Furney looks lovingly at her daughter Lucia Gabriela as Santa holds the little one. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Little Felix Sweet and his friend Rudolph are photographed with Santa. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Tristan Norris is decked out wearing a bow tie for Santa's visit. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Taya Lou and Aida Jean Vollink get the chance to tell Santa their Christmas wishes. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Carter Reynolds and his big sister Ashlyn are photographed with Santa. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Maggie Bronkema will have photographic evidence that Santa visited before her first Christmas. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
"I really want a picture with Santa for her first Christmas," Alexis Carter-Cook said as Santa held her baby, Mi'Asia. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa recognized Jha'kiy Millerbyrd, even though the little one was dressed in a reindeer suit. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa makes sure Bennett Skutt is comfortable after they were photographed together. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa returns Ryker Wittenbach to his crib. "Merry Christmas," Santa whispered. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
The tiniest babies in the NICU at Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital get a visit from Santa and treasured holiday photos with the man in the red suit.
Alexis didn’t expect to have a Christmas baby. Her daughter was due in February, but she arrived ahead of schedule on Dec. 2.
“This is the best Christmas present ever,” she said, gazing at her little girl.
When Santa arrived, he cuddled the 3-pound, 11-ounce baby, navigating around the tubes and monitors with practiced ease. Years of experience caring for fragile newborns made Dr. Kinney the perfect Santa for the NICU.
He posed for photos with Mi’Asia, and with Alexis and her fiancé, Brandon Boersma.
“I love it,” Alexis said. “This just makes me smile. I am going to frame this picture.”
Santa moved onto the next room, spreading holiday cheer—while taking care not to disturb the sleeping babies.
“Ho, ho, ho, merry Christmas,” he said quietly as he entered each room.
As expected, the infants melted the hearts of Santa and the staff members who helped arrange the photos.
Dressed for the holiday, they were little bundles of cuteness—wearing fluffy bows, green bibs, red hats and reindeer outfits. One baby girl was tucked in a pink Christmas stocking. A little boy sported suspenders and a bow tie.
Some babies twirled their hands in Santa’s fluffy white beard. Some smiled. Some squawked.
The tiniest of babies remained in their cribs. Santa leaned close for a photo.
Twins Bennett and Dawson Skutt were ready for his visit, wearing elf hats that read “My First Christmas.”
Parents Jordan and Koddy Skutt beamed as nurses tucked one twin into each of Santa’s arms. The babies’ eyes flickered open and then they slept again.
“They’re beautiful,” Santa said.
His visit with Alicia and Danny Thomas’ family brought triple joy.
As Santa sat in an armchair, a nurse helped arrange the couple’s 2-day-old triplets. She tucked Theo in his left arm and Malia in his right arm. She settled Zara in the middle.
The parents smiled at their three newborns.
“The best Christmas present ever,” Danny said.
With their 2-week-old son, Hugh, in the NICU, Vanessa and Brent Hartley have not had much time to think about holiday celebrations.
“I kind of forgot about Christmas,” Vanessa said.
Just anticipating Santa’s visit gave them a boost.
“This is really nice,” Vanessa said, as she watched her son cradled in Santa’s arms. “I’ve been telling him all week you better be ready for Santa.”
What better time than having a precious little newborn at Christmas time! My day after Christmas baby boy arrived in 1972 and was the best Christmas present ever! Thank you for sharing this happy news!
Tears of joy for these families, their precious babies, and the wonderful memories you helped create for them this day of their first Christmas. My heart is full. Thank you for sharing.
Precious miracles! Thanks for sharing, congrats to all. Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Jan! They are so precious. 🙂
What better time than having a precious little newborn at Christmas time! My day after Christmas baby boy arrived in 1972 and was the best Christmas present ever! Thank you for sharing this happy news!
That’s a wonderful memory. I’m sure he is still your baby.
Thanks for sharing these Santa moments !This is what the season is about !🎄
Teared up viewing these photos. Each and every one is beautiful. Loved all their little outfits. Merry Christmas!
This is Awesome! (tear) – Simply Beautiful Babies!!!
Thank you for sharing with everyone.
Aren’t they adorable? I’m sure many parents and grandparents will treasure this first Christmas.
Tears of joy for these families, their precious babies, and the wonderful memories you helped create for them this day of their first Christmas. My heart is full. Thank you for sharing.
Awww… thank you for reading, Kathleen! 🙂
Dr kinney is the best. He was always so kind to the parents and neonates he cared for in the NICU. Being Santa was right up his alley.