Parents ‘Shocked’ When Baby Boy Was Born at Nearly 16 Lbs. Now, at 17 Months, He’s Still ‘Melting’ Their Hearts 

A couple in Canada expected a big baby — just not this big.

Ahead of their scheduled delivery, Paul and Stacie Golebiowski had been told their son would likely be larger than average. Paul, 37, said ultrasounds estimating their baby at 13 lbs. and even 17 lbs. suggested they were in for something out of the ordinary. Stacie, now 36, also suspected a larger baby because of how uncomfortable the pregnancy felt. Still, nothing prepared them for the moment they finally met him.

Born July 4, 2024, at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital in Ontario, Grayson arrived weighing 15 lbs., 9.9 oz. and measuring 24.5 inches long.

Stacie said she was nervous about what a baby that size might look like — but the anxiety disappeared instantly when she saw him. Paul described the first look as pure joy mixed with shock and amazement.

Because of his size, Grayson needed extra medical support right away. He stayed longer in the NICU after struggling to breathe on his own, and he required breathing assistance for a week until he stabilized.

He was also placed on an NG tube — which the Cleveland Clinic describes as a medical catheter inserted through the nose into the stomach for limited periods to deliver substances like food or medication.

During his 27-day hospital stay, Grayson developed a severe case of thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth. When he was finally cleared to go home — already wearing 6-month clothing and size 3 diapers — the feeding tube remained necessary for another two months while the thrush was fully treated.

The early weeks were difficult as the family worked closely with medical professionals to find the right treatment plan. Even so, the parents say bringing him home after nearly a month in the hospital still felt like a major relief.

Since then, Grayson has continued to grow and develop normally. His parents say he’s meeting milestones on schedule and has a personality that’s already shining through: patient, funny, and happy. They describe a baby who loves to babble, laugh, make new expressions, smile, play with cars, “read” books, and eat.

Now 17 months old, Grayson weighs 24 lbs. and is 33 inches tall. His parents say one of the best parts of the journey has been watching the bond between Grayson and his older sister, Chloe, 3.

They say the love and friendship between the siblings melts their hearts — and that welcoming their son has made their family feel complete.

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