> At a Glance
> – Markie Smith’s third child arrived at 12 lb 10.5 oz, just shy of 13 lb
> – Doctors and nurses gasped when they saw his size in the OR
> – He spent a week in NICU learning to breathe before Christmas Eve discharge
> – Why it matters: A feel-good story showing how an unexpected size surprise turned into the perfect fit for his nature-themed name
When Markie Smith, 35, chose the name Canyon early in her pregnancy, she only knew it “felt right.” On December 18 at Arlington Memorial Hospital, the moment doctors lifted her newborn son, the operating room went silent-then erupted in collective awe.
The Delivery-Day Shock
Smith, who has gestational diabetes, expected a bigger baby but nothing like this. Her first two children weighed 8½ lb each; Canyon clocked in at 12 lb 10½ oz, almost double the American Pregnancy Association’s 6-9 lb average.
Smith recalls:
> “There was this gasp and everyone just went, ‘Oh, my God,’ all at once. I was lying there totally out of it, like, ‘What? Is he OK?'”
Her best friend summed it up:
> “Girl, he’s huge.”
Nicknames That Stuck
Family and friends wasted no time:
- “The Grand Canyon” – a nod to his impressive size
- “Super Cooper” – playing off his middle name
Smith says the name now feels inevitable:
> “Canyon is the perfect name for him.”
Nature-Themed Sibling Set
Canyon joins sisters Meadow, 9, and Forest, 4, continuing the outdoor theme Smith loves. She owns a dog grooming and training business and says the trio’s names fit together “like a hiking trail.”
| Child | Weight | Name Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Meadow | 8½ lb | Nature theme |
| Forest | 8½ lb | Nature theme |
| Canyon | 12 lb 10½ oz | Nature theme, now size-matched |
NICU Stay and Homecoming
After a week in NICU learning to breathe on his own, Canyon was discharged on Christmas Eve. Smith calls the timing a miracle and says he’s already “the happiest, easiest baby.”
Key Takeaways
- Gestational diabetes can lead to unexpectedly large babies; Canyon was nearly 13 lb
- The surprise size made his pre-chosen name, Canyon, feel destined
- He needed NICU support but made it home for Christmas
- His story adds a feel-good highlight to the holiday season
For Smith, what began as a simple name choice became the perfect fit-proof that sometimes parents just know.
