Baby Boy Alden

A quick recap: Jessica and Seth moved from California to Oregon at the beginning of 2017 and got their first house in the city of Milwaukie, two blocks from Portland, in August of that year. Seth tackled home improvement projects while Jessica got busy with the more important task of “creating a human.” The next permanent resident moved in on June 11, 2018, a couple days after Alden was born at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland.

Alden Dean Smigelski (one week old)

Alden’s birth

Alden Dean Smigelski came into the world as the sun rose on Saturday, June 9 at 7:49 a.m., bathing Portland in orange light. Alden squealed as he was placed on top of Jessica for their first snuggle. Alden was a calm baby from the start. Seth was there to greet him, along with Alden’s Aunt Caitlin (Seth’s sister and Jessica’s diligent doula). We were all smitten with the little fella from the start!

After much speculation from Jessica’s midwives that Alden was going to be a big baby, he actually weighed in at a reasonable 7 pounds and 14 ounces and measured 20 inches long.

After he was born, Alden’s breathing was irregular. He spent two nights in the NICU, where he was monitored for transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). Alden went home happy and healthy.

Alden poses (at 2 weeks old)

Alden meets the family

Alden’s grandparents on the Dean side arrived on Saturday to meet Alden on his birthday, thanks to a fortuitously timed flight. Alden’s grandparents on the McNeely-Smigelski side were not far behind, meeting Alden Sunday evening.

Alden’s Uncle Chris (Caitlin’s partner) and Uncle Geoffrey (Jessica’s brother) were there to meet him as well. Alden was surrounded by family from the start. After a week at home, Alden was able to spend time with both grandpas on his first Father’s Day.

Alden relaxes with Grandpa Dean

Alden relaxes with Grandpa Smigelski

Alden will meet his Uncle Owen (Seth’s brother) and his cousins Ian and Jonah later in July. In September, Alden will travel to New York to meet even more family on both sides, including two eager great grandmothers.

Alden with the Deans

Alden with the McNeely-Smigelskis

More about Alden

Things Alden loves: cuddling, leg exercises, upside down baby, dancing baby, his pacifier, snuggly pajamas, making the Zoolander face, taking walks in his carrier, World Cup soccer, being warm, sleeping, head massages, asking for food when his mom is trying to eat, and pooping.

Things Alden doesn’t love: having his arms swaddled, having his diaper changed when he is hungry, FIFA, the Red Soxs.

Alden has grown a bunch in the month since his birth. His neck, arms, and legs are growing stronger as he gains weight on that all-milk diet. Alden is becoming more alert and keeps his eyes open all the way through story time now!

Jessica and Seth are drinking copious amounts of tea, splitting sleeping shifts, making more storage space on their phones for photos, and enjoying life with their cutest roommate yet.

Seth and Alden (19 days old)

Jessica and Alden (23 days old)

Want more photos of Alden?

We put together an album of photos from his first month of life!

Four-week-old Alden

Thank you all for reading this and for caring about Alden.
– Jessica and Seth