For most 2-year-olds, Halloween means costumes, candy and trick-or-treating. But for Luca, this Halloween brought something far sweeter: the chance to meet his newborn baby brother for the very first time.
On October 30, Luca and his parents visited the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Northern Westchester Hospital, where his little brother, Nicholas, spent the first three weeks of his life after arriving seven weeks premature. During that time he was too fragile for visitors outside of his parents, who themselves couldn’t hold him for nearly six days. But by Halloween he was finally strong enough to come off some of the medical equipment protecting his delicate lungs and development. To celebrate this unforgettable milestone, the family dressed in adorable Winnie-the-Pooh-themed costumes — complete with Luca as Tigger, Jennifer as Piglet, and baby Nicholas as Winnie the Pooh.
For Jennifer, the heartwarming moment was hard-won after two high-risk pregnancies complicated by a severe form of preeclampsia called HELLP syndrome, which can cause liver damage and be life-threatening.
“After everything we’ve been through with both boys, seeing Luca finally meet his little brother was such an emotional moment,” Jennifer said. “He’s been so excited to meet Baby Nicky, and watching him ask to hold him and tell him he loves him was just the sweetest thing. We never imagined we’d be spending Halloween in the NICU, but being together as a family made it so special.”
Two Brothers, Two Premature Births
Luca was born on September 26, 2024, at 34 weeks after Jennifer experienced medical complications — sudden dizziness that escalated into severe preeclampsia. Weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces, Luca spent nine days in the Northern Westchester Hospital NICU before heading home to what was then the family’s home in Mahopac.
Two years later, Jennifer faced similar complications.
“Women who experience severe hypertensive disorders in a previous pregnancy face an increased risk of developing them again and require vigilant, long-term monitoring,” said Navid Mootabar, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Northern Westchester Hospital, who oversaw Jennifer’s prenatal care. “Conditions like preeclampsia, especially the severe form Jennifer had, can progress rapidly.”
Because of the risks to both mother and baby, Jennifer had an urgent cesarean delivery for Nicholas on October 8, 2026. Born at just 33 weeks, he weighed 5 pounds, 9 ounces and required extensive care, including respiratory support via CPAP and a darkened, high-sensitivity incubator to mimic the womb. Despite the distance from Hopewell Junction, Jennifer said there was never any doubt about where she wanted to deliver her second child.
“They took such good care of Luca that we knew we wanted to return to Northern Westchester Hospital,” Jennifer said. “And given all the additional care Nicholas has needed in the NICU, we’re so glad we did.”
An Unexpected Halloween Surprise
With their newborn still hospitalized, the family adapted their Halloween plans, bringing the festivities directly to the NICU floor. Surrounded by the dedicated nursing staff — including Kathleen Castillo, who cared for both brothers during their respective NICU stays — Luca peered at his baby brother in person for the first time.
“It’s not every day that you get to care for two brothers in the NICU, two years apart,” said Castillo, who has been a NICU nurse for over 30 years. “I remember caring for Luca when he was born, and now having the opportunity to care for his little brother and watch them meet for the first time is incredibly special. Moments like these remind us that we’re not just caring for babies. We’re caring for entire families.”
Looking Forward to Homecoming
Nicholas has made significant progress since his premature arrival. He no longer requires respiratory support and has been steadily gaining weight, recently reaching approximately 6 pounds, 5 ounces.
His remaining milestones include developing the strength and coordination needed to feed independently, an important step before he can safely leave the NICU. For babies born as early as Nicholas, the NICU provides critical support while their lungs, feeding abilities and other essential functions continue to mature.
“Babies born at 33 weeks often need additional support with breathing, feeding and maintaining their body temperature,” said Karen Scott, director of neonatology at Northern Westchester Hospital. “Even after they begin breathing independently, learning to feed safely and consistently is an important milestone before they can go home. Nicholas has made wonderful progress, and we’re focused on helping him reach those final milestones so he can be reunited with his family.”
For Jennifer and her family, Halloween 2026 will always be remembered as the day their two boys finally met. And for Luca, the sweetest Halloween treat wasn’t something found in a candy bucket. It was meeting his little brother.
