Sweetwater's Monica Zacour and 5-month-old Everly curl through the parade route at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Oct. 29.
Photo by Jay Heater
East County
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East County's Celine Flora had the date, Oct. 29, marked on her calendar.
There was no way that she and 7-month-old Sofia were going to miss the annual Little Nippers Parade at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
Besides the fact Flora loved her experience in the new mother's support group, she simply wanted to see all the other moms she had come to know through the program.
Myakka's Karlie Falls, who was marching in the parade with 2-1/2-year-old Max, says she, too, loves the camaraderie created through the program.
"We come every year," Falls said.
Sweetwater's Monica Zacour added, "We love the nurses here."
Angela Campano, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's childbirth educator, said everything starts with education, which helps the moms "feel empowered."
"Then we urge them to come back and share their stories," Campano said.
The parade started at the Women's Center, then would through the hospital, going through the hallways, the cafeteria, and the main lobby. All along the way, staff members took a moment to enjoy the babies in their costumes and the march left patients smiling as well.
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There was a "Top Gun" sighting at the Little Nippers Parade as Ariel Pureber has 13-month-old Frankie playing his best Maverick.
Photo by Jay Heater
Sweetwater's Monica Zacour feeds 5-month-old Everly milk for strength before the Little Nippers Parade at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Oct. 29.
Photo by Jay Heater
Agata Siudzik and 10-week-old Chloe came to the Little Nippers Parade to connect with other moms.
Photo by Jay Heater
Four-month-old Oscar Eimers and mom Jane Eimers of Palmetto have loved their birthing experience at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and Jane says "I would recommend it for sure."
Photo by Jay Heater
Even when they aren't at a parade, 3-year-old Raelynn Chapin, Courtney Chapin, and 1-year-old Jaxson Mann love to hang out at the Little Nippers Support Group.
Photo by Jay Heater
Sarasota's Meghan Edwards and 4-month-old Josie get ready for the parade. Meghan says that hanging out at the Little Nippers Support Group is one of her favorite things to do.
Photo by Jay Heater
East County's Ashlynn Hyatt and 3-month-old Rex Hyatt and grandma Pam Hyatt and Beckett Johnson (Rex's cousin) are excited to get the parade started.
Photo by Jay Heater
Angela Campano is the childbirth educator at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center while Deidre Olson is the nurse facilitator of the Little Nippers support group program.
Photo by Jay Heater
Lakewood Ranch's Erika Huckle and 10-month-old Sienna are ready to hit the parade route.
Photo by Jay Heater
1-year-old Venice and mom Whitney Van Burk of Lakewood Ranch get ready to get on the mooove for the parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
Sarasota's Crystal Miller and 6-month-old Maddie have loved the Little Nippers program at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
Photo by Jay Heater
It was the biggest group of moms and babies to march in the Little Nippers Parade at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Oct. 29
Photo by Jay Heater
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center staff members say they look forward to the Little Nippers Parade each year.
Photo by Jay Heater
East County 7-month-old Sofia Flora and mom Celine Flora wanted to walk in the Little Nippers Parade at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Oct. 29 so they could see everyone again who utilizes the support program.
Photo by Jay Heater
Myakka's Karlie Falls and 2 1/2-year-old Max Falls come to the Little Nippers Parade each year.
Jay Heater is the managing editor of the East County Observer. Overall, he has been in the business more than 41 years, 26 spent at the Contra Costa Times in the San Francisco Bay area as a sportswriter covering college football and basketball, boxing and horse racing.
