Cleveland Cavailers forward J.R. Smith and his wife Jewel Harris welcomed their daughter Dakota into the world about five months earlier than anyone expected. As a result, the little one’s life was threatened from the moment she exited the womb.
Thankfully Kota Bear, as she’s called by the family, hit a major milestone recently when her breathing tube was removed, more than two and a half months after she was born on January 7.
“I mean I was beyond excited to hold our 2lb 13oz miracle in the palm of my hands for the very first time,” ‘Shirley Smith’ wrote on their site, mykotabear.com. “What some mothers get to experience within the first 2 minutes of giving birth I had to wait 78 days but, what I will say is it was worth the wait because those very feelings, emotions and joy that took over my body trumps it all. I kissed her little cheeks, smelled her neck, gazed into her eyes and just smiled at life…this life…her life that has now become our life! To God Be The Glory…I thank you.”
We couldn’t be happier for Smith, Harris and the entire family as the joyfully celebrate this significant milestone. Baby Dakota is certainly a strong one, and we wish her well as she continues to develop her tiny body in the relative safety of the NICU.