> At a Glance
> – Markie Smith, 35, delivered a 12 lb 14 oz baby boy at Arlington Memorial Hospital
> – Canyon’s weight is nearly double the national newborn average of 6-9 lb
> – Gestational diabetes led to two prior large babies; Canyon needed NICU breathing support
> – Why it matters: Shows how maternal health conditions can produce extraordinary births-and why the right name can feel perfect
When Markie Smith of Texas envisioned her third child’s name, she had no idea how literally it would fit. Then Canyon arrived, tipping the scales at just under 13 lb and sending the delivery room into collective gasps.
The Moment Everyone Gasped
Smith, 35, had picked the name Canyon months earlier. In the delivery room, the shock on everyone’s face made her panic.
> Smith recalled:
> > “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 delivered the update:
> Friend said:
> > “Girl, he’s huge.”
One look at the newborn’s rolls confirmed the name choice.
> Smith told Today:
> > “He reminded me of the Michelin Man! Just rolls and rolls.”
A Not-So-Little Christmas Miracle
Canyon spent time in the NICU learning to breathe on his own and was discharged on Christmas Eve.
Key details:
- Weight at birth: 12 lb 14 oz
- National average: 6-9 lb (American Pregnancy Association)
- Cause: maternal gestational diabetes, which can increase fetal size
- Older siblings: Meadow, 9, and Forest, 4, keeping the outdoor-themed trend alive
Family nicknames quickly sprouted:
- “the Grand Canyon” – a nod to his size
- “Super Cooper” – referencing middle name Cooper
> Smith said:
> > “Canyon is the perfect name for him. He’s the happiest, easiest baby. He’s just so good.”
Key Takeaways
- Canyon’s 12 lb 14 oz birth weight is nearly double the U.S. average
- Gestational diabetes contributed to his size; mom had similar experiences with prior pregnancies
- Canyon’s outdoor-themed name aligns with siblings Meadow and Forest
- After NICU breathing support, he went home on Christmas Eve**, capping a dramatic birth story with a happy holiday ending
