Hoffart Twins

With strong ties to hockey on both sides of the family, fraternal twins Calder and Luc Hoffart are practically destined for the ice rink. They both got their start at Henry Mayo’s Kim and Steven Ullman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Their parents, Steve and Nicole of Saugus, both played hockey when they met in college in New York, and they both taught at Canyon Country High School. Steve is Canadian and Nicole is from Santa Clarita.

When Nicole learned she was pregnant with twins, the couple knew that Henry Mayo would be the place to go.

“My brother-in-law works at the hospital and their children were born there so we felt very comfortable that we would be getting the best care,” Nicole said.

Nicole went into labor early, at about 31 weeks. Her water ruptured and her doctor put her on bed rest for about one week in Henry Mayo’s Women’s Unit. Nicole had a normal delivery and the boys were born on October 15, 2013.

“We knew it was a possibility they would come early and we were prepared for that,” she said. Calder was 3 pounds and Luc was 3 pounds, 12 ounces. Calder came first, about a 6-minute difference.”

Calder hardly needed oxygen, but he needed to grow. Luc had respiratory problems and was on oxygen the first six months

“We worked closely with Joe, the respiratory therapist, and he was just fantastic, Nicole said. “We had a great experience with the Women's Unit and the NICU team became like family. Nurses Nancy, Shannon, and Sherry even attended the boys' first birthday party."

Steve and Nicole visited the baby boys every day during their stay in the NICU.

“We got to know everyone pretty well and there were so many people that were helpful,” Nicole said. “I loved that there were private rooms and we felt lucky that there was this new NICU facility. We felt so comfortable.”

The boys are big now and very active, according to Nicole.

“They are running everywhere and love being outside,” she said. “They play well together and just started wrestling. They’ll soon be in skates.”