'Happiest' Long Island Boy In 'Baby Of The Year' National Voting Competition

EAST NORTHPORT, NY — An East Northport toddler who was born medically fragile is in the quarterfinals of Good Housekeeping's Baby of the Year national competition.

AJ Nuccio had a "very wild first year" of his, said his mother, Kristy Nuccio.

AJ was born with cysts in his brain, has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — the lining of his heart is too thick — wears a helmet 23 hours a day because of having a flat head from laying in the NICU for the first six weeks of his life, developed infantile spasms — a form of seizures — at 8 months old, and was put on medications that caused him to stop eating. He underwent surgery to have a gastrostomy tube placed into his stomach, and he now only eats through a tube, his mother said.

AJ celebrated his first birthday on Oct. 2. He was evaluated and benchmarked as a 5-month old, being unable to sit up on his own, crawl, walk, or talk.

"But, he’s the happiest little baby and smiles constantly, even through all he’s been through, which is why I think most people are so willing to support him," Kristy told Patch "It’s easier to love a happy, bubbly baby."

The winning baby's family would receive $25,000 from the magazine. Kristy said the family would use the money toward getting AJ "any services possible."

The Nuccios hoped their son would be able to sit up for his first birthday. Their new goal is that he can sit up on his own for Christmas.

"AJ does qualify for early intervention, but the hours being offered are all when my husband and I work, and we are trying to be able to have people come to our house and get services to help AJ sit, crawl, walk, talk and eat again," Kristy said.

The magazine's competition is held in support of Baby2Baby, a national nonprofit organization that strives to provide children living in poverty with diapers, clothing and basic necessities.

The contest is not specifically for babies with medical issues like AJ, but the Nuccios hope to provide their son with more services if they win. The family currently pays for physical therapy and feeding therapy. They hope to hire a speech therapist since AJ is completely non-verbal, currently, Kristy said.

AJ qualifies for early intervention through New York State, but a shortage of providers has left the Nuccios without help, Kristy said.

The family joined the contest on a whim, and AJ has made it through all the group rounds. Now in the quarterfinals, AJ made it to the top 1 percent of the competition.

People can vote for AJ in the Baby of the Year contest here.

"AJ has had to endure more than most of us will in a lifetime," Kristy said. "AJ has the brightest personality and the happiest disposition, and is so simply made happy. He loves to watch 'Good Morning America' every day and laughs every time the hosts on the screen laugh. Baby of the Year should recognize AJ because he continues to laugh and smile every day, despite eating through a tube every day, going to four to five doctor appointments each week, and being physically ill several times a day due to all the medications and medical problems he has."

People can vote once a day for free, according to Nuccio. Voters can choose to donate and buy votes, with the funds supporting Baby2Baby. People can vote once daily for free after validating their identity through Facebook.

"AJ's community has supported him so tirelessly for the last month through this competition," Nuccio said. "It's true when they say it takes a village to raise a child. Thank you to everyone who has made it part of their daily routine to vote for AJ every day, and thank you to everyone who has donated to support AJ with additional votes! He is so lucky to have so many people who care about him. Thank you to the people who are strangers, friends of friends, family, colleagues and anyone who was moved by AJ's story enough to support him."

Nuccio said the odds are against her son, but AJ continues to smile at every person who walks past him at the supermarket, doctor's office or restaurant.

"Baby of the Year should be a Baby who brings joy to those around them and makes people feel better than they were before they spent time with this boy who smiles and plays with anyone," she said.