For Fraser Coast mum Kelly Fitzpatrick, little bundles Freddie, June and Clyde are the miracle babies that have "set the universe right again".
The mum-of-four, partner Andrew Maher and the babies' proud big brother George, 5, are now home in Tinana after the triplets' birth and a three month stay at Wishlist Centre - Wishlist's patient accommodation facility opposite the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH).
It hasn't been an easy road for the couple.
After enduring the emotional toll of three heartbreaking miscarriages, they made the difficult decision to halt their IVF journey for the sake of their mental health.
“We struggled with fertility and tried and failed IVF, and had three losses along the way,” says Ms Fitzpatrick.
“We had the conversation of stopping trying (IVF), it was a decision we made against what we truly wanted, it was for our mental health and not what our hearts wanted."
However, after ovulation intervention the couple's luck changed with a “very dark positive” pregnancy test.
“I felt so incredibly pregnant very quickly,” the 38-year-old said.
"I'm not a spiritual person but I had a dream on the Thursday night before our scan, and I dreamt that there were three babies."
The following day, the dream became a reality in the sonographer's room, when the specialist told the couple they would be having twins, before discovering a third heartbeat.
Deemed a 'complicated pregnancy' at 24 weeks and being over two hours from the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Ms Fitzpartick packed her bags and headed for Wishlist Centre where she stayed until the babies were born at 34 weeks on November 2.
Ms Fitzpatrick was preparing for a 100-day stay so taking her babies home just 19 days after their birth was an immense relief.
"I think the reason I got so far along was because I was able to stay at Wishlist Centre."
"We were looked after so well and it felt like home. The night manager Gwen would leave a basket of my washing at my door, all folded, because I'd forgotten to grab it from the laundry. It was just the little things that made a big difference."
Wishlist Centre Accommodation Manager Tracey Sobey said it was a pleasure to have Kelly, Andrew and George staying at Wishlist Centre.
"I know George enjoyed the playground on Level 1 and he made a beautiful connection with our caretaker Gwen Malone," Ms Sobey said.
"Kelly was able to stay for around three months which also meant George turned five at Wishlist Centre - it's special moments like these that we feel very privileged to be part of.
"We'll really miss seeing the family and wish them all the best as they begin their busy journey as a family-of-six."
Wishlist Centre opened in November 2022 opposite SCUH and has kept more than 750 families together during a difficult health journey - from complicated pregnancies to lengthy cancer treatments, families rallying together with a loved one in intensive care and short stays for surgical procedures.
First-born triplet Freddie Fitz Maher, weighing 2100g at birth, second-born June Rosalie Maher, 1800g, and third-born Clyde Jagger Maher, 2200g, are the fourth set of triplets born at SCUH since opening in 2017.
Sunshine Coast Health nurse unit manager Alison Holman said triplet births were extremely rare at a rate of just 1 in 1000 births or 0.1 per cent.
“It’s a privilege to be involved in a delivery like this,” Ms Holman said.
“It is a process to organise and ensure all members of the team are available for a delivery of this nature. We wish the family all the very best..."
For Ms Fitzpatrick, navigating the intricacies of 'twin' breastfeeding and managing 200 nappies and 800 wipes weekly has become a newfound reality.
Ms Fitzpatrick acknowledged the nursing staff in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, her obstetrician Emma Hogan and the warmth of the Tinana community had helped her immensely.
“I honestly believe the universe has delivered our babies back to us,” says Ms Fitzpatrick.
“A big part of it is believing in your own capabilities, but also being empowered by the team around you. I am very grateful."
