Family life has become a juggling act for an outback Queensland couple who recently welcomed a set of premature twins seven weeks early.
Joe and Bronte McKillop's family got a whole lot bigger with the arrival of pint-sized brother and sister Bowie and Lainey, who are now settling into life at home in Roma with their three big sisters, Maisy (8), Lola (6), and Poppy (4).
Lainey and Bowie each weighed less than 2kg when they were born at Mater Mothers' Hospital in South Brisbane on Saturday 8 February – 500km from their home in southwest Queensland.
The twins spent almost five weeks being cared for around-the-clock by a multidisciplinary team in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) before going home.
Shining a light on Multiple Birth Awareness Week (16 – 23 March), Mrs McKillop said a mum-of-five needed to be a master of multi-tasking.
Mr McKillop said that one week before the twins were born via an emergency caesarean section, a scan identified Bowie had a brain bleed.
"Bowie has had a few head scans and MRIs since which show the bleed has reduced in size," Mr McKillop said.
"We won't know exactly what this bleed means and won't know for a while, but we are all very happy and blessed he is with us and doing well."
Mrs McKillop was referred to a paediatric cardiologist at Mater's Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine early into her pregnancy, after doctors in Roma identified there was a potential issue with Lainey's heart.
Lainey was diagnosed with a dilated ascending aorta, which is a wider-than-normal aorta, and will need a further check-up when she is six months old.
Mr McKillop said they were "over the moon" to finally have the twins with them at home last week and were settling into their three-bedroom house.
"Their siblings are so in love and ready to be little helpers!" he said. "The three older girls have shared one room for a long time, so the spare room will be a nursery.
"Like anyone else, life is busy and chaotic, especially in a small house, but with plenty of sport and a great community in Roma, there is a lot to keep us and the kids busy.
"We will buy a few tickets in the next Mater Prize Home draw to see if we can upgrade to a few extra bedrooms!"
Mr McKillop thanked the team at Mater Mothers' Hospital for their care and support.
"Being away from home and spending lots of time in the hospital is never going to be too much fun but all in all it's been a very good experience for our family," he said.
Last year, 239 twins were cared for in the Mater Mothers' Hospital NICU.
