Team TLC - March for Babies 2015

As NICU mommies and high school friends, Jessica and I walk in honor of our precious, tough boys. My name is Michelle Flores and, as team captain, I created a March for Babies walking team 9 years ago after my son was born prematurely. It was last year that our team grew in size to also honor Jessica's sweet boy, Levi Carter, also born prematurely. Team T.L.C., for Tomas and Levi Carter, celebrates and honors our boys born at 31 weeks (Tomas) and 33 weeks (Levi Carter). Jessica and I, unfortunately, developed very severe conditions during pregnancy resulting in emergency C-sections for us both. At 31 weeks I was admitted to labor and delivery for a condition called HELLP Syndrome, severe hypertension & other complications. 9 years later after my premature delivery, at a visit to her doctor at 33 weeks, Jessica learned she had developed hypertension & toxemia. I work for Jessica's OB/GYN, I felt fortunate to be able to go into her exam room and hold her hand, give her a hug and reassure her based on my previous preemie experience. Jessica & I have known one another since high school, and I feel that the experience we share as mothers has brought us even closer together. We both know how blessed we are to have pretty healthy boys today.