DAYTON -- A local hospital gets a special visitor on Tuesday from the jolly man himself.
Santa took a break from the North Pole Monday night to stop by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Miami Valley Hospital. There are 45 babies in the intensive care unit.
One of the babies he visited were a set of twins who have been in the NICU ward for 80 days.
Ethan Patry was born two pounds, one ounce and his twin sister Elaine was born one pound and a half ounce. The twins were born September 30th; 12 weeks early.
Simon Patry, the babies father, says their mother, Maureen, has been amazing in helping give the pair their best chance.
"It's bittersweet its going to be their first Christmas, but of course you'd like to be home," said Simon.
The Patry's are okay with that as long as their babies are getting healthy.
"Everything has been difficult as far as them learning to breathe. We get two great days and then you step back a day," said Maureen.
Maureen says Elaina is your typical feisty girl and Ethan is pretty chill.
Santa says he could never forget some of his most important children on his list, "these little ones are precious because they were born so small, they're fighting for their lives."
Mom already has all she wants this Christmas, but asks Santa for just one thing, "just their health and happiness."
It's not clear what long-term challenges Ethan and Elaine will face. They could be home just in time for Christmas.
Santa took a break from the North Pole Monday night to stop by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Miami Valley Hospital. There are 45 babies in the intensive care unit.
One of the babies he visited were a set of twins who have been in the NICU ward for 80 days.
Ethan Patry was born two pounds, one ounce and his twin sister Elaine was born one pound and a half ounce. The twins were born September 30th; 12 weeks early.
Simon Patry, the babies father, says their mother, Maureen, has been amazing in helping give the pair their best chance.
"It's bittersweet its going to be their first Christmas, but of course you'd like to be home," said Simon.
The Patry's are okay with that as long as their babies are getting healthy.
"Everything has been difficult as far as them learning to breathe. We get two great days and then you step back a day," said Maureen.
Maureen says Elaina is your typical feisty girl and Ethan is pretty chill.
Santa says he could never forget some of his most important children on his list, "these little ones are precious because they were born so small, they're fighting for their lives."
Mom already has all she wants this Christmas, but asks Santa for just one thing, "just their health and happiness."
It's not clear what long-term challenges Ethan and Elaine will face. They could be home just in time for Christmas.