Nogales family praises Ronald McDonald House

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TUCSON - On this Christmas day a family from Nogales, Arizona can say it knows the true meaning of Christmas.

The Rivera family is staying at the Ronald McDonald house. That's because their baby was born prematurely, and is at University Medical Center in the intensive care unit for preemies.
As 9 year old Nathan leads the family in the prayer, they are reminded of just how blessed they are.

For years, Nathan prayed for a baby brother. His prayers were answered this year and he also won a shiny red bike. 8 year old Nathan says "This is one of the best things that I've ever gotten in my whole life so I do feel blessed."

Baby Nicholas was born three months premature. He weighed 2 pounds. His mom has not left his side since he was born on October 12th. Dad has to work and comes from Nogales on his days off.

Home has been the Ronald McDonald house. Gilbert Rivera says, "We're just very grateful and lucky that the Ronald McDonald house had availability for us."

Amy says the Ronald McDonald house has been a Godsend. "Nicholas has a lot of primary nurses who love him like he was their own and just a lot of people being attentive towards us and our son."

Of course Amy would prefer to be at home in Nogales, on Christmas day with her family but being here is the next best thing. "For our little one to say wow yeah we get to stay at the Ronald McDonald house is pretty cool."

Nathan says when his little brother gets older he's going to give him his Christmas bike he says this is a symbol of love and devotion to what Nathan says is the best Christmas gift he's every gotten and that's his baby brother.

Little Nicholas is up to six pounds. He's off the ventilator and is breast feeding.
Amy hopes she'll be able to take him home within the next two weeks.