Twin sisters’ early arrival makes Father’s Day extra special
Sunday 1 September 2024
Chris Baran will be the happiest dad in Brisbane when he celebrates Father’s Day by the side of his beautiful tiny twins in Mater’s Neonatal Critical Care Unit.
Chris, 38, and his wife Eliana, 35, welcomed identical twin sisters Charlotte and Veronica two months early on 20 August and are “overjoyed” with their surprise arrivals.
He said baby Charlotte arrived first at1.23am weighing 1.8kg followed by Veronica one minute later weighing 2.1kg.
The Sunnybank couple’s eldest daughter Penelope (1) will join her baby sisters at Mater Mothers’ Hospital on Sunday – completing what dad is already calling ‘the sisterhood’.
“We were not expecting the girls to be born before Father’s Day – they were due in October,” Chris said.
“It was a bit scary when we knew they were on their way, but the team at Mater have been so helpful and really calm, and the twins have been looked after 24/7.”
Eliana was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a serious pregnancy condition that causes high blood pressure. Mater obstetricians decided to perform a c-section to minimise the risk of complications for the twins.
“I started having blood pressure issues and was in hospital for a week before they were born,” Eliana said.
“My body wasn’t coping, but they were happy inside.”
Chris said he always wanted a big family and that spending time with his three daughters and wife would be the “perfect” way to spend this Father’s Day.
“Now that I am a father-of-three I will have to embrace the chaos – I’ll be surrounded by the sisterhood!”
Chris’ father-in-law Carlos Leon travelled from Colombia as soon as Eliana started to have health issues and will join the family in the NCCU with Charlotte and Veronica.
“To have the girls’ grandfather here on Father’s Day is quite special,” Chris said.
“My mother-in-law Dicnory Lagos has also since joined us to help with the girls.”
He said the twins were already showing their different personalities, with Charlotte enjoying all the cuddles she can get and Veronica preferring to wriggle around.
Eliana said her husband was “so excited” to have three daughters.
“He’s taking one day at a time,” she said.
“While I hoped we would be home in time for Father’s Day, I know the girls are in the safest hands here at Mater.”
Mater Director of Neonatology Dr Pita Birch said between 70 to 80 babies would join Charlotte and Veronica in the NCCU on Father’s Day, with dozens of dads expected to visit throughout the day.