1 Year Ago Today…..

You transitioned into a preschooler, no longer of true “toddler” status. It’s amazing to see how within one year, so much can change.

Throughout this past year, you have learned how to spell and write your full name, count to one hundred, and recognize all of your letters and numbers. You enjoy learning as if it is a fun game to win. Worksheets to you are just as fun as coloring and painting. Your love for learning is to be desired and I pray that you will always have this passion.

Last year, right after your 3rd birthday, we visited your Hematologist for the last time. I cried with joy and excitement when Dr. Patel announced that your white blood cell counts looked great and that your Neutropenia was gone. One of the main reasons as to why I cried was because 3 years prior to this day of wonderful news, you were born, on Mother’s Day Weekend (2007). This appointment took place on the Friday before Mother’s Day Weekend 3 years later….what wonderful news that my baby boy was healed and we could breathe a sigh of relief. Your body was once again producing white blood cells just as it should. Your immune system was back to full working order with no big threat of intense illnesses anymore. While there is still a part of me that wonders if your immune system will fail again or that it will come back even worse as Leukemia, I know that you are in God’s Hands. You have had two checks on your complete blood count so far, and both times your white blood cell count is the highest it has ever been! God is Amazing and Good.

Along with this healing news, you have also outgrown your bilateral bladder reflux. The test (a VCUG) was NOT enjoyable with you at this age along with the weekend to follow of convincing you that yes, in fact, you would still be able to go potty even through the (temporary) pain. Along with this great news is the news that you will never (and I mean NEVER) have to have another VCUG again!

You are still a little dare devil. You enjoy jumping on the trampoline, swinging yourself by pumping your legs, and have mastered riding your scooter….you even do tricks on it! At Christmas time Santa gave you your first ever skateboard. I’m not sure what Santa was thinking with that purchase! You can ride it sitting down, laying on it, and even standing up with your arms out “like you’re surfing”! The next item to master is a bicycle….we will also be purchasing plenty of knee and elbow pads!



You have grown to be such an independent “big boy” (as you remind me almost every day that you are no longer a baby). Park play now consists of you running off to play with the other children on the playground. I have had to learn patience and self control to not want to step in when another child is not playing nice. My “helicopter mom” status is now in full force, although I am trying to control it, I promise!

I believe that my hobby and passion for running has now passed off to you. Our morning jogs to the park, grocery store, or around the neighborhood are a lot of fun….for you while you sit comfortably in the stroller!  You are a fast runner. You love to race. In fact, you ran your first ¼ mile race in August at the Zoo. You did AWESOME! I look forward to running the race with you this next year again.

You have also begun swim lessons. Apparently you are a pro at this! Going to swim class is your first athletic type class to ever go to. You are not shy towards the instructors and have no big fear of the water. You have already held your breath while going under water and opening your eyes – and we are only 3 sessions in!

Your sister and you have become the best of friends. You love teaching her new words, showing her how to play with certain toys and how to hide and hoard other toys (when you don’t want her to play with them). You give her the best hug and kiss “night night” and love and protect her so much.

Monster trucks, McQueen and Football are some of your favorite things. It is very common within any given day to hear you talk about growing up and owning a monster truck when you are a football player for Texas A&M. Now, let’s get this clear….I have been saying “No” to you becoming a football player, but since you add in that you will play for Texas A&M, well, we may be able to discuss the possibilities of you playing football one day. Although, would you consider soccer? Just asking! 

You talk about being baptized, letting Jesus live in your heart, and going to church a lot these days. This year you seemed to fully understand the meaning of Easter and love reading about what it means to have Jesus live in your heart. I truly pray that you will continue to grow closer to God and hang onto his truth throughout life.

When I think of how amazing and loving you are, I smile. In any given day, you can bring a smile to my face, a good tear to my eye (watching you grow up), a frightening feeling when you take a chance, and a true feeling of joy to know that you are a blessing, an awesome brother, son, and friend.

This next year will be adventurous and fun. I am excited to watch you grow into an even more independent child. To start off your year as a 4 year old….you will get to chew GUM for the first time. This is definitely something that you have been looking forward to. You will hopefully start playing soccer, probably enjoy a few A&M football games (at Kyle Field), and talk more and more of going to “big kid school” (which I will then want to cry)! We will play, learn, and laugh together just as always. I pray that you continue having your soft spirit, your loving smile, and your happy heart throughout this next year.

So here’s to you Cooper James Smith; Happy 4th Birthday (May 12, 2011)!

Love,
Your Super Cool Mom!