A mother in the United States has described the astonishing moment she gave birth to a baby boy whose weight was comparable to a bowling ball. Markie Smith, 35, delivered her son Canyon via caesarean section on December 18 at Arlington Memorial Hospital in Arlington, Texas.
A Newborn of Remarkable Proportions
The medical team recorded Canyon's birth weight at a staggering 12 pounds and 10.5 ounces (5.74 kilograms), just shy of 13lbs. This places him among the heaviest newborns ever recorded at the facility. For context, the average newborn in the US weighs between 6lbs and 8lbs, making Canyon nearly double the typical size.
"The whole room just was like 'what?'" Markie recalled, describing the reaction when his weight was announced. "He came out like a three-month-old baby. He's the biggest baby I've ever seen in my life." The single mum, who also has a nine-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son, said she anticipated a large child due to her "huge belly" but was still shocked by his actual size.
Strength Born from Challenge
The pregnancy and birth came during a profoundly difficult period for Markie, who experienced the loss of her mother and a relationship breakdown. She found strength in her faith and continued working at her dog grooming and training business until just days before giving birth. "I prayed to God that I needed something to help get me through my hard times," she shared. "I found out I was pregnant... and it gave me the fuel I needed."
Due to his extraordinary size, baby Canyon required brief post-birth monitoring in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Despite this, he was born healthy and strong. "He came out screaming and peeing everywhere, and he's just such a good baby," the proud mum said. "He eats well. He's really sweet - sweet and chunky."
A 'Little West' Joins the Family
Markie chose the name Canyon from a list of nature and Western-inspired names, with input from friends and family. Her daughter, Meadow, has warmly embraced her new brother, giving him the nickname "Little West." Visitors to the hospital have been amazed by the newborn's presence, with Markie comparing the experience of holding him to "holding a bag of bricks."
"He's a big, big boy," she laughed. "He's got fat rolls on the back of his head. He looks like a little sumo wrestler. He's so cute." The story of Canyon's remarkable entry into the world has captivated social media, with the local community rallying to support the family during the holiday season.
As Canyon thrives in his first weeks, Markie remains overwhelmingly grateful. "We're just very happy to have our giant baby," she said, "and we want to share it with the world."
