Santa holds his newest elf, Gabriel Kulakowski, at the NICU in the Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Little Harlow VanHaaren is wrapped in a Christmas bow for the occasion. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa reclines, his arms filled with joy. What could be better than holding Olivia and Julian Robinson? (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Julian waves to the camera, thinking hard about grabbing a handful of white beard. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa cradles Nayeli Daizon and visits with big sister, Kelila. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Sophia Borre-Olson is comfortable in Santa's gentle hands. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Tiny Aurora Garcia reaches toward her mom and Santa. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Lennox Rossman looks sharp in his fur-trimmed hat and snuggled in a green stocking. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa holds DeZarionna Suggs as her mom, Brianna, makes sure everything is just right for the picture. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Nicholas Thompson is lifted from his blanket by Saint Nicholas himself. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Raelynn Rhodes wore a special outfit for her photo with Santa, an American Girl doll ensemble complete with ice skates. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
David August Faase's nurses dress him in a suit jacket and tie they made for their little patient. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa watches over a sleepy Victor Avalos. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Parker Davis' mom, Megan Alexander, said they woke bright and early to make sure they didn't miss Santa's visit. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Acayla and Ashlynn Karas fit perfectly in the bends of Santa's arms. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Ahmiracle Quinonez's mom said her daughter weighed under a pound at birth. She now weighs 3 pounds. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Kacey Hawkins gets a visit from Santa on the same day the little one was born. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Ny'air Diamond seems to be reciting his Christmas list to Santa. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Nolan Burke already has a bow tie, so that is one gift he won't be asking Santa to bring. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Madison and Mason Washington seem very comfortable while being photographed with Santa. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa tells Rory Switek that he might have to start wearing a cool striped hat. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa touches Blake Hilliard's forehead before picking him up. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Lucas Holmes appears to smile as he hears Santa's voice. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
"Don't forget that I like cookies," Santa said as he waves goodbye. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
“This is a way for the families to take a break from their worries and just enjoy the holiday season,” Santa said.
Santa knew just how to hold the tiny little ones he visited. Behind the beard is Al Jones, MD, a retired neonatal medicine specialist.
He has donned his fur-trimmed red jacket, hat and pants with a broad-buckled belt for the past six years to help create these moments.
Santa’s helper is Amy Nyberg. She is the March of Dimes family support program coordinator at the children’s hospital who makes this visit happen each year.
“Families love it,” Nyberg said. “Santa comes and they are able to hit that milestone and have that memory of baby’s first photo taken with Santa.”
Amy, also dressed in fur-trimmed red, gives candy canes and small toys to young siblings of the NICU babies. She arranges for a professional Santa portrait to be sent to the families.
Raelynn Rhodes wore a special outfit for her photo with Santa. Her mom, Morgan, found the perfect fit, an American Girl doll ensemble complete with ice skates.
Parker Davis’ mom, Megan Alexander, said they woke up bright and early to make sure they didn’t miss Santa’s visit.
“We didn’t expect him until after Christmas,” Alexander said of her little preemie. “He’s our little Christmas baby.”
Thank you SO much for doing this for our tiniest loves! Such a nice way to bring Christmas to the NICU. My niece, Nayeli, was born 9/8, but wasn’t due until 12/30. This was a welcome break from the daily life at the hospital!
I was smiling and had tears at the same time looking at the pictures. My heartfelt thanks to all of the angels that care for these fragile precious babies.
That is so very awsome. And what adorable pictures. Our daughter was in the nic u in Alaska. So I know what these parents are going through. Share the love this holiday seadon❤️❤️❤️
I LOVE the way you see the world Chris. The Santa photos that accompany this story are so moving. So blessed to have had the chance to meet you and have you shoot some of the most revealing and profound photos of me for the colon cancer story. You captured things I have never ever seen in other photos taken of me over the years. Wishing you a 2019 filled with good health happiness peace and prosperity
Thanks, Kim! I just passed this comment along to Chris. So glad you’re doing well. Thanks again for being a Health Beat reader (and participant). Best wishes for a fantastic 2019!
Thank you SO much for doing this for our tiniest loves! Such a nice way to bring Christmas to the NICU. My niece, Nayeli, was born 9/8, but wasn’t due until 12/30. This was a welcome break from the daily life at the hospital!
Inspiring moment captured with amazing photos, Chris! Makes me proud to be part of the Spectrum Health family.
I LOVE THIS!! So cute! What a wonderful memory for these parents.
I was smiling and had tears at the same time looking at the pictures. My heartfelt thanks to all of the angels that care for these fragile precious babies.
Awwww, thank you for your kind comment, Deborah! 🙂
That is the cutest thing ever!
Super cute, right?!? Love these photos!
That is so very awsome. And what adorable pictures. Our daughter was in the nic u in Alaska. So I know what these parents are going through. Share the love this holiday seadon❤️❤️❤️
Sharing the love ❤️
Thank you so much for giving us a touch of normal life..my little guy had a hard start and spending Christmas in the N8was hard all the way through.
Awwww.. hope you and yours have a wonderful new year, Trisha. Best wishes to you.
I LOVE the way you see the world Chris. The Santa photos that accompany this story are so moving. So blessed to have had the chance to meet you and have you shoot some of the most revealing and profound photos of me for the colon cancer story. You captured things I have never ever seen in other photos taken of me over the years. Wishing you a 2019 filled with good health happiness peace and prosperity
Thanks, Kim! I just passed this comment along to Chris. So glad you’re doing well. Thanks again for being a Health Beat reader (and participant). Best wishes for a fantastic 2019!