Three nurses in navy blue scrubs and MemorialCare branded red Santa hats hold newborn babies in red Christmas stockings.
Care team from the Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center welcomed Holiday babies, dressing them up in giant red holiday stockings and wheeling them to their families to view for the first time.

Christmas cheer is alive at the Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital with newborn babies being sent home in commemorative giant, red holiday stockings – a 62-year tradition. The stockings are given to babies born around the Christmas holiday – and serve as a special keepsake for the family. 


For one family, this holiday tradition at Miller Children’s & Women’s lives on through the generations. Seth Cardwell was born on Dec. 23, 1984, at Miller Children’s & Women’s and was presented to his parents in a giant red stocking. Forty years later, Seth and his wife, Ahrisa Cardwell welcomed their son, Hardy, on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. Hardy was also “an ultimate stocking stuffer” for his family – making this holiday season an unforgettable moment for the Cardwell family. Hardy became the perfect gift to uphold their family’s unique holiday tradition. 


“To be able to welcome our son in such a festive and meaningful way, wrapped in a Christmas stocking, the same way I was when I was born 40 years ago – is beyond special,” shared Seth Cardwell. “We are completely blessed, and the care we’ve received from Miller Children’s & Women’s has been incredible. It feels like we’re part of something truly magical.”

A man and a woman standing over their newborn baby boy laying in a crib wrapped in a red Christmas stocking.
Ahrisa and Seth Cardwell grinning from ear-to-ear with their little, holiday “stocking stuffer.” Hardy carries on the holiday tradition of being born at Miller Children’s & Women’s and being placed in a giant, red holiday stocking and presented to his parents – just like his dad, Seth, 40 years ago.


Six babies and their families celebrated this special milestone, with nurses parading the newborn babies to the nursery in rolling basinets, while the families looked on. Families were able to take their first family photos along with their tiny newborn all snuggled in their Christmas stocking. 


“Through this cherished tradition, we’ve created long-lasting memories for our families and staff,” says Shari Kelly, executive director, BirthCare Center, Miller Children’s & Women’s. “The excitement and anticipation of seeing these precious babies nestled in red and white stockings unites us in celebration of not only the holidays, but new life.”


The Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center delivers more than 5,500 babies a year. In addition to top-quality labor and delivery care, the BirthCare Center offers comprehensive programs for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of newborns with a range of preventive services, education, and advanced capabilities. Validating this quality of care, is a recent “High Performing” rating in Best Hospitals for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report, which is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.