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Although a long NICU stay awaits Jaden, hospital staffers are already describing his progress as "remarkable," the family said on their CaringBridge page. He was able to drink his mother's breast milk at 2 days old and had more control over his lungs and arms than doctors had expected, KCCI reported.

For now, the baby is staying in an incubator and eventually will transition to a crib. Doctors said they may be able to release him before his Nov. 6 due date, the family told KCCI.

"I tell him that I'm proud of him every day," Smartt told the station.

To learn more about Jaden's progress, visit the family's GoFundMe page or CaringBridge site.