Alexander Wyatt Flores

Alexander "The Great" Flores, infant son of Steven and Nora (Brady) Flores born on Friday, January 10 2014, gained his angel wings Saturday, March 8 2014 while being held in his parent's arms.

Alexander was diagnosed with Trisomy 13 midway through pregnancy. Trisomy 13 is a chromosomal anomaly with an extra 13th chromosome commonly resulting in cardiac, brain and physical defects and developmental delays. Most babies with Trisomy 13 do not survive pregnancy and very few survive to their 1st birthday.

Alexander "The Great" showed the world his strength by triumphantly entering the world at full term. He continued to defeat the projected odds and left the NICU at two weeks old to join his furry siblings and parents at home.

Alexander was able to do many things he was not projected to be able to do – breathe on his own, eat his meals with gusto (as his Brigham Women's Hospital NICU nurses liked to say "Alex loves to eat"), and suck happily on his pacifier, at times using his fist to hold it, and grasp his small hands onto his favorite buddy, Blue Dino, spending most of the day holding his Dino friend close to his chest. If Mommy or Daddy picked him up, Dino would come too.

Alexander showed his parents early on his love for music, and continued to refine his tastes preferring classical music, Pink Floyd and most melodic progressive rock. He was comforted by his musical glow seahorse and especially loved spending time in his vibrating chair.

Mommy and Daddy made sure Alexander had someone awake with him at all times. Often Mommy and Alexander would sit quietly in the living room window and watch the sun rise. Alexander seemed most at peace each day watching the daylight break. Daddy and Alexander spent many hours sitting together listening to music while Daddy sang to him, nuzzling his soft, fuzzy head.

Alexander was known and loved by so many from all corners of the globe. Each day Mom posted an update on Facebook for his many followers and each day more people joined his fan club. Alexander was a beautiful, peaceful, content little baby boy who gave his parents and everyone who met him unconditional love and trust. He inspired people of all ages with his strength and refusal to be labeled as "incompatible with life". Alexander taught his parents what it means to have true love for someone and one another. He opened our eyes to see every moment of each day as a blessing and opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. Mommy and Daddy thank Alex for choosing us to be his parents, and we will forever hold every smile, cry, furrow of his brow, little "uh-uh" head shake, dirty diaper and content snore in our hearts with joy and gratitude for the opportunity to share and have experienced such love.

Alexander will be forever loved by his parents and furry friends at home, Grandmother Margo Maun, Grandfather William Brady, Uncles John Flores and Matthew Kingsley, Aunts Felicia Flores and Michele MacMaster. Alexander will also be missed by Nora's AMCH MICU family and Steven's NGS – EPMO family, both of which have offered tremendous love and support throughout Alexander's time with us.

Steven and Nora wish to thank everyone who has lifted Alexander up in their thoughts and prayers throughout his journey, there are too many people to thank, but please know you have all meant so much to Alexander and us. Special thank yous to his Brigham Women's NICU nurses Linda, Kristin, Christine, Kerri, Jordan and Melissa as well as the AMCH PICU nursing staff, especially Maureen and Walter, and primary pediatrician Dr. De Waal. Profound gratitude is extended to Dr. Porter of Journeys

Pediatric Palliative Care and Scott Wies, RN, at AMCH ED for providing Alexander with compassionate care at the end of his sweet life. We would also like to thank Terra Vandervoot for being a true friend and advocate, and for setting aside her own recent pain to accompany us in the ED as we sent Alexander on his journey. Lastly, anyone who knows Alexander and his parents knows that the Albany Shaker Starbucks team is a second family to us, and this great team had purchased a star for Alexander before he was born. You can see "Alexander" at RA 19h13m48.71 + 42o 57'28.9".

Burial will be private with family. A public celebration and awareness event is being planned for the near future to memorialize Alexander's journey and provide a voice to Trisomy, and will be publically advertised in advance.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Alexander's name can be made to the Journey's Pediatric Palliative care program care of Dr. Joanne Porter, Director, MC 88, 43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany NY 12208 or to the Brigham Women's Hospital Newborn ICU Family Fund at Brigham and Women's Hospital
Development Office 116 Huntington Ave. 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116 or https://giving.brighamandwomens.org/donate. A fund is being established in Alexander's name, and will be used to create an awareness education about trisomies for medical professionals and families. Opportunities to donate to Alexander's Awareness will available at the memorial for anyone interested in his movement.