NORFOLK — Big things are in store for Rhys Espe.
The newborn entered the world on July 16, tipping the scales at 12 pounds, 9 ounces. He measured 23 inches long.
The chunky boy’s birthweight set a new hospital record at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, hospital spokesperson Savannah Lentz confirmed. It beats that of a girl born in 2020 who weighed 12 pounds, 2 ounces. the story.
A screenshot of Brandon Espe’s GoFundMe page shows baby Rhys, who was recently born in Newport News.
GoFundMe
“A lot of people are saying he was born with an NFL scholarship,†proud dad Brandon Espe said.
Rhys’ parents, Tiffany Richardson and Espe, were delighted to celebrate the birth of their new son, although they were surprised by his size.
“The last ultrasound we had at 35 weeks said that he was measuring about 6 or 7Ìýpounds,†Espe said.
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A follow-up ultrasound while Richardson was in labor — at one week and one day past her July 8 due date — showed she was carrying a much larger baby.
The couple, who reside in Newport News, have three other children: two daughters, ages 8 and 10, and a 17-month-old son, Thorin.
The girls, who are Espe’s stepdaughters, weighed in at 8 pounds, 9 ounces and 7 pounds, 9 ounces, respectively. Yet, Thorin, also Espe’s son, was also on the bigger side at 11 pounds, 1 ounce.
With dad standing 6 feet, 3 inches tall, it’s understandable his babies are super-sized.
“My babies are on the larger side,†Espe agreed.
Richardson is a petite 5 feet tall — hence the emergency cesarean section required to deliver Rhys.
Both mother and son are doing well, resting and recovering, Espe said.
But, with the unexpected surgery, Richardson will be away from her job longer than anticipated. The couple started a and to help with additional medical bills and to secure a larger vehicle.
As for more children, Richardson said she may revisit the idea in five years, but for now, she’s happy to have her healthy little — ahem, big — baby.
