Couple who were told they'd never have kids now have NINE children

Mark with his bumper brood and specially adapted pram

WE’VE heard of pramming them in but this chaotic scene is sure to strike fear into the heart of any parent.

Mayhem erupts around dedicated dad Mark Pugmire as he heads out with a pram and NINE kids in tow.

Four sisters and a boy are arranged in the buggy while straining Mark, 38, attempts to push it watched by the others, including one wee cherub pulling a funny face for the camera.

But Mark and wife Beth Campbell Pugmire, 37, aren’t stressed to the nines by their busy, hectic schedules.

For they love every second of their whirlwind life with their massive brood after being told they would never have children.

The pair were devastated when doctors said natural conception would be almost impossible for them because of medical problems.

But, thanks to a combination of fostering, adoption and fertility treatment, they’re now on proud nine with a small team of children all under the age of 12.

“I wouldn’t swap it for the world,” said Beth from Dundee. “I could not imagine going through life with no children. I feel we have been truly blessed and I love every minute of being a mum to a huge family. It’s what I have always dreamed of.”

After adopting their oldest son Kyle, 11, Beth underwent sperm donor treatment and gave birth to Brody, nine, and Owen, seven.

Their fostering agency then asked if they could take toddler Chloe, now seven, whom they later adopted.

Ava, six, was adopted at birth and Lucia, three, was fostered then adopted by the pair.

Milly was born premature, she was given to Mark and Beth at two weeks old and they adopted her at two years old.

She had some health issues because she was premature but she’s thriving now.

“Penelope, now 17 months, came to us at just eight weeks old,” said Beth. “We signed her adoption papers three months ago. We just felt she needed a home.”

Now their ninth bundle of joy, six month old Charlie, is being fostered.

“We have gone from having a silent child-free home to one filled with love,” said Beth. “I wake every morning and realise how lucky we are.”

They admit it’s a labour of love at times, though.

There have been “countless sleepless nights” and supermum Beth – who gets up every morning at 5.30am – only gets to the hairdressers “twice a year”.

She can’t move for skateboards and bikes left around the house and she’s given up taking them all to the supermarket as “there was no room in the trolley for food”.

They have a giant washing machine which is constantly on. Their weekly shopping list reads more like a stocktake of a local Asda. It includes seven gallons of milk and 10 loaves of bread a week.

Beth – who emigrated to the US to live with her American husband – admits they are growing out of their family home in Arizona.

Fortunately Mark works as a housebuilder for the family firm and is currently constructing a bigger pile for the clan.

Beth’s mum Avril, 68, a retired midwife from Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, said: “We are hugely proud of Beth, and Mark’s a super dad. He even washes the car with a baby strapped to his back.”

Look how they’ve grown! Twins that captured our hearts celebrate first birthday