> At a Glance
> – Markie Smith’s third child weighed 12 lbs 10.5 oz at birth
> – Doctors gasped “Oh, my God” when they saw his size
> – Baby Canyon spent a week in NICU before holiday discharge
> – Why it matters: Shows how gestational diabetes can lead to unexpectedly large babies
When Markie Smith chose the name Canyon months before delivery, she had no idea how perfectly it would fit her nearly 13-pound newborn.
The Surprise Delivery
Smith’s C-section at Arlington Memorial Hospital on December 18 turned into an unforgettable moment. The operating room fell silent when doctors lifted out her son, then erupted in collective amazement.
Smith recalls the scene:
> “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 reality check: “Girl, he’s huge.”
A Name That Fits
Canyon Cooper’s 12-pound, 10.5-ounce frame immediately justified his nature-inspired name. Smith says he looked like “the Michelin Man” with rolls upon rolls.
The name choice aligns with his siblings’ monikers:
- Meadow, age 9
- Forest, age 4
Gestational diabetes affected all three pregnancies, though Canyon dwarfed his 8.5-pound siblings.
Road to Recovery
After seven days in NICU learning to breathe independently, Canyon went home on Christmas Eve. Smith calls the timing “a miracle.”
Family reactions came fast:
- “The Grand Canyon” for his impressive size
- “Super Cooper” playing off his middle name
Key Takeaways
- Canyon weighed nearly double the average newborn (6-9 lbs)
- Gestational diabetes contributed to his large size
- His nature-themed name perfectly matched his stature
- Christmas Eve discharge made the holiday extra special
Smith now calls Canyon “the happiest, easiest baby” and considers him “such a blessing” after the dramatic delivery.
