To the infection control experts who helped us figure out how to do it safely. Just because Santa occasionally wears a gown and gloves doesn’t mean he’s not Santa!

To the expert knitters and sewers who made beautiful hats and blankets for our babies.

To the lovely, lovely woman who asked if she could donate stockings (FILLED with goodies!) for all our families.

To the graduate family who donated storybooks, colouring books and hand lotion for siblings and parents.

To the graduate families who brought in delicious food for our family and staff holiday party, and who came to support our current NICU families.

To the nurses who helped us approach each family ahead of time and ask if they were interested in a Santa visit.

And again to the nurses and RTs and other team members who helped when Santa came to each baby’s room, and made it possible to take gorgeous pictures.

To our wonderful photographer, Doug, who takes such amazing pictures and creates such beautiful memories for our families.

To our delightful elves, who manage to make the whole process go smoothly and efficiently, and who rock their elf costumes like nobody’s business.

To Mrs Claus, who makes sure everyone is accounted for and keeps Santa on track.

And of course to our beloved Santa, who is not just adored when he puts on his red suit. He is the heart and the soul and the everything, and we love him.

Last but not least, to all the babies and families who dressed up and put on their best smiles. Thank you for graciously allowing us to share these photos with others. We know how hard it is to be in the hospital over the holidays, and we appreciate and admire how you find your joy even in the most difficult moments.

Happy holidays to all of you, and best wishes for 2015.

The post Turning the NICU into Santa’s Village appeared first on Your Health Matters.

For example, a couple of days ago a graduate family dropped by with boxes and boxes of baked goods to give to staff and to families. They wrote a beautiful card which ended with: “Take a cookie or two (or six) and have a happy moment! All our good wishes and prayers are with you.” Thank you, you lovely people, for taking so much time to bake and put together these thoughtful (and yummy) gifts.  We hope you know how much they were appreciated. (Plus your baby is absolutely delicious. Just had to add that!)

Last Thursday, we had two very special guests in our NICU. Anke Flohr provides spiritual care at Sunnybrook, and Helen Chang-Dawson is a music therapist in our Veterans Centre. They were inspired by a quote from Pliny the Elder that is featured on a wall in our NICU: “Hope is the pillar that holds up the world”.  They brought together parents in our unit with music and a wreath of hope. We wrote our hopes for our children and ourselves on tags which we attached to the wreath. It was an utterly beautiful, peaceful and healing experience.  Afterwards a mother wrote to say, “I didn’t know how much I needed that, until I had it.”  Helen and Anke, you brought us peace, beauty and hope. Thank you, and we wish for you those same gifts that you gave us.

And finally (for now) … there is something about NICUs that inspires crafty and artistic people to creative heights. The little animal on the left was knitted by an aunt of one of our nurses. She made enough stuffed animals that we can give one to every baby in our unit. The little hat on the right was made by a grandma of one of our graduate babies; in addition to these adorable gingerbread men hats, she did snowman hats, fancy sparkly white and pink hats, and miniature Santa hats that are just the right size for our little people. We are so grateful!

Stay tuned … we have more stories of generosity, creativity and kindness to share with you.

The post Our hearts are full (part one) appeared first on Your Health Matters.

That’s right! It’s …

SANTA!

Most families would not, if they had a choice,  spend their holidays in the hospital, and so we always try to plan lots of fun festivities over holiday times.  It’s why we dress babies up on Halloween, why we host special events on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and it’s why we always make sure Santa has us on his visiting list.

Our families seem to enjoy it (Exhibit A  – just look at those smiling parents) …

And Exhibit B … two more proud parents with their beautiful twins!

Sometimes Santa visits with babies in their incubators …

And sometimes he’s lucky enough to get his own personal cuddle time …

While it’s fun for families, it’s equally fun for staff!

It’s also true that none of this could happen without the many volunteers who put hours of time into organizing it. To Santa, the elves, the tree, and all the nurses who helped babies meet Santa for the first time, thank you! To Doug Nicholson who took the incredible photographs, thank you!

To graduate mom Mandy, who donated silver bracelets from Pinkstix to all our mothers, thank you!  To our graduate parents who organized the family party, who brought or donated all the goodies, thank you! To our families who shared photographs with us and allowed us to be part of this special time, thank you!

And to all of you who support us in the work that we do, and who support our wonderful babies and families, thank you. We wish you and yours the happiest of holidays!

The post It’s the most wonderful time of the year … appeared first on Your Health Matters.

A very beautiful thing happens each year in early December in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Santa takes time out of his busy schedule to visit his tiniest friends and their families.

The post Santa visits the NICU appeared first on Your Health Matters.