Ryan Mooliyil's first Christmas will be a special memory for his parents because of a visit from Santa in the Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Natalie Perez-Calas wears a tutu her mom, Mariah, made with materials supplied by Gay Sexton, a Child Life assistant. "Little girls in tutus is a rite of passage in the NICU," Gay said. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa visits little Alexander Webb in the Small Baby Unit. The jolly elf will soon visit Alexander's twin, Iver, who sleeps in the nearby neonatal cribette. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Elijah Evans reaches to grab a handful of Santa's beard. Jason Yakes, RN, is a nurse in the NICU as his day job but moonlights as the man in red for Christmas. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Little Ada Barclay is the best stocking gift ever. Her family is one of about 80 families who will be spending the holidays in the NICU at the children's hospital. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Roman and Milo DiPiazza decide Santa's soft suit makes for a perfect napping spot. Santa and his entourage of helpers went from room to room visiting the tiny babies. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Bryson Franks is dressed in his own Christmas best, matching Santa's suit. Santa, also an RN in the NICU, has a gentle touch for little Bryson. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Sol Lamasbundis waves while being photographed with Santa. Santa's visit during the pandemic was made possible because of added safety precautions. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Little Hannah Richards wears a shiny gold headband and bow with her colorful tutu for her photo with Santa. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa and his helper visit with Erykah Givihan, and her newborn De'Zani. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
A pretty red bow and a "Best Gift ever" onesie make for the perfect outfit for De'Zani Givihan's photo with Santa. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
"Hi Santa," Elijah Starchief signals to the bearded man. The Santa event was created by the Child Life team at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and the March of Dimes. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa gently touches Brixley Kasper's hand in the Small Baby Unit. "He is the best Christmas present we could have ever asked for," Brixley's mom, Jordan, said. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Axel Warren will need to grow into his new onesie. Amy Nyberg, March of Dimes NICU family support program coordinator, made "Best Gift Ever" onesies for every baby in the NICU. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa peeks in on twins Owen, right, and Parker Mahar, who are enjoying a little skin to skin time with their mom and dad, Sally and Ben. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa checks in on Ethan Koczan, Jr. Ethan's dad is a Star Wars fan and brought in a Christmas baby Yoda as a decoration for his son. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Keegan Haver is wide-eyed and ready for Santa's visit. The Child Life team will give each family in the NICU a keepsake photo of their child with Santa. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa holds budding ballerina Braelynn Fitzgerald. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Leia Harnish probably won't remember Santa's visit, but her mom and dad will never forget. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
"Ho, ho, ho," Santa whispers to little Xayden Rose in the Small Baby Unit. The jolly elf had to be reminded to tone it down while in the SBU. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Finnian de Smidt gets a visit from Santa the day after he was born. The big man in red checks in on Finnian and his parents, Lauren and Jake. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Nora Norris wears a beautiful flower headband for her photo with Santa. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Iver Webb's first photo with Santa is going to interrupt his nap time. Iver and his brother, Alexander, were not due until Feb. 16 but made their debut at 25 weeks on Nov. 13. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa has a gentle touch for Brooks Abel. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa takes a short break. Soon, he will be on his way back to the North Pole, or nursing station, to get ready for his next job of the season. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
“Most other kids don’t get to say they had photos taken with Santa at 2 weeks old,” said Christopher Kasper and Jordan Sellars, as they looked down on little Brixley, who will be spending his first Christmas in the Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
“We had to rush out and buy him his first Christmas ornament as we weren’t planning on this at all,” Jordan said. “He’s going to have the coolest story. He is the best Christmas present we could have ever asked for.”
Christopher and Jordan are just one of about 80 families who will be spending the holidays in the NICU at the children’s hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
To add to the fun for families this year, Santa made a special visit to take photos with the tiny babies and their parents.
The event, created by the Child Life team at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and the March of Dimes, and has been a fan favorite for years. Because of visitor restrictions in 2020, Santa Claus himself is a member of the NICU team who volunteered to make spirits bright.
Jason Yakes, RN, is a nurse in the NICU as his day job but moonlights as the man in red for Christmas.
“I was up all night, practicing,” he said with a jolly smile under his mask and beard. “I had as many cookies and milk as I could to get myself into the spirit.”
Santa and his entourage of helpers went from room to room visiting the tiny babies, who were dressed in their best holiday gear, including red and green tutus and Santa outfits of their own.
“Santa, shhhh!” said one of the nurses as he entered the Small Baby Unit with a Ho Ho Ho. “We need you to tone down your Ho Ho Hos in here.”
Yes, Santa got shushed.
Greg and Elisa Webb, parents of twin boys in the Small Baby Unit said they didn’t expect to have pictures with Santa this year. The boys were not due until Feb. 16 but made their debut at 25 weeks on Nov. 13. Friday the 13th of 2020 even, mom joked.
“We’re going to be here snuggled up with the boys on Christmas day,” Elisa said as she smiled down at her double bundle of joy. “We just can’t wait to spend more time with them.”
Doctors and nurses stopped Santa for photos as he made his way from family to family.
“Santa can be a little particular about his hand sanitizer,” one of the nursing staff added as she laughed and helped him with hand sanitizer.
Amy Nyberg, March of Dimes NICU family support program coordinator, said she wasn’t sure she would get the go ahead for the event this year due to the pandemic, but was happy to be able to pull it off with some changes and new safety precautions.
Nyberg made “Best Gift Ever” onesies for every baby in the NICU and Gay Sexton, Child Life assistant, prepared tutu creation kits for families.
“Little girls in tutus is a rite of passage in the NICU,” she said with a smile.
Mariah Perez-Calas made use of the materials, creating a red, white and green tutu and headband for her little Natalie. She and her husband, Aaron, got the inspiration for the outfit from their love of cosplay and crafting.
“Having a baby in the NICU is an up and down emotional roller coaster,” she said. “But with all of the support from doctors and nurses on hand, it makes us feel very safe and secure. The team guides our hand and make us calm and comfortable during otherwise very hard times.”
And with that, Santa exited with a jolly, yet quiet Ho Ho Ho. He was on his way back to the North Pole, or nursing station, to get ready for his next job of the season.
As a mom of 2 graduates id that NICU, I can confirm that angels work in that unit… this is the sweetest and they always try special things for their star patients… brought back many memories, so grateful for their love and dedication!
Wow this story and adorable pictures just melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
Such a wonderful and caring doctor to be Santa Claus. He must be their Christmas angel. Prayers to all and merry Christmas to all the families, babies and children.
Thank you Rick and Chris for getting the story out! So much fun making this happen for the NICU families!
Beautiful pictures! The hospital always does such a wonderful job making sure memories are made.
Seeing those adorable little people warms my heart!
As a mom of 2 graduates id that NICU, I can confirm that angels work in that unit… this is the sweetest and they always try special things for their star patients… brought back many memories, so grateful for their love and dedication!
This is a wonderful story and a great way to support families.
Nice job Jason! That’s so cool : )
This has become my favorite holiday tradition for Spectrum Health and I hope they always do it. Just warms my heart!
Wow! My heart is happy. Thanks for sharing.
Wow this story and adorable pictures just melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
Such a wonderful and caring doctor to be Santa Claus. He must be their Christmas angel. Prayers to all and merry Christmas to all the families, babies and children.