Congratulations to these Rockford area families on the birth of their little miracles. The NICU dressed these little blessings up for their first Christmas.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) staff at SwedishAmerican hospital recently took a moment to make Christmas even more special than it already will be, for a few Rockford area families. It can be an incredibly scary time for parents, when their newborn needs the kind of care the special individuals in the NICU provide. I can't imagine how awful it must feel to deliver a child, then be able to go home, while your child must remain at the hospital.

The kindness shown by the staff who created these 'first Christmas' photos is just about the most heart-warming thing I've seen this year.

Meet little Evren

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Merry first Christmas, Liam

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Little man Paxton

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And lastly, meet the twins, Johnathan and Joanna

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Often, the most amazing gifts, come in the tiniest packages. Merry Christmas to these little miracles and their families.

Steve Shannon is host of The Steve Shannon Show on 97ZOK. On the air weekday mornings from 6 to 10 a.m. and a special 'Rewind' show, featuring favorite moments from previous shows, on Saturday mornings from 5 to 7 a.m.. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and like his page on Facebook.

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