Sarah Turns 3 !

Sarah is 3 years old today. Her journey from being a 2-year-old to 3-year-old has been challenging.

Sarah was just 2 years old when we learned that we were expecting her sibling to join the family. Things changed drastically for Sarah who was so small to understand the big transformations around her.

The first thing to change was my availability for her as I became extremely weak and feeble for the first few months of pregnancy. She spent most of the time with her dad. The next big thing to change was abrupt weaning of breastfeeding as advised by the doctor. That was the only comfort I could provide despite being weak and all of a sudden even that had to stop. She would cry the whole night hoping I change my mind and give her the much-needed comfort. But, I couldn’t.

A week after weaning her off, Sarah had ‘night terrors’ where she would keep screaming and crying inconsolably and her heart rates would rise with sweating. We were told it was due to the abrupt weaning and it will settle down on its own. She had 2-3 episodes of night terrors and then later it did settle down. Though we kept telling her that she is going to have a sibling and the changes happening around are because of mom’s belly having a baby, but I knew that it wasn’t helping her cope with the drastic changes.

Four to five months passed by and now I had some energy to spend time with her. But then, my belly started growing big and I couldn’t lift her. She would keep putting her hands up to me and I shall keep refusing to lift her. We used to attend parent-toddler sessions, but she used to keep running around and it became difficult for me to be behind her and to ensure she doesn’t get hurt. I was not sure if it was safe for me to run around with a growing belly. Hence, I stopped going with her to those sessions. Doctor appointments, blood tests and scans filled our weekends, hence even my spouse couldn’t accompany her to these sessions that she enjoyed the most. We took a big break from the sessions.

This wasn’t the end. Then came the D-day, the childbirth.

Me & my spouse had to leave to the hospital leaving her at home with my mom & sister. Till then, she hasn’t slept either without me or her father beside. We tried telling her a month ahead that she has to be with her grand mother and her aunt when we are not around. Again, I was sure she wasn’t ready for what was coming ahead, despite all the explanation.

On the morning of 9th September 2025, we had to leave her at our friend’s place and proceed to the hospital. She was crying to come along with us, I too was crying leaving her behind. Our dear friend Aalok has been a blessing and took care of Sarah like our own family member. Later, my mom, sister and brother-in-law took over but she would keep asking for me and her dad all the time.

Our little one (Sarah’s sister) arrived in the afternoon of 09.09.2025, while we welcomed her with all happiness, we were also overwhelmed. I could see my spouse being helpless taking care of me, the new born and more worried about the elder one at home. Sarah struggled to sleep all the 4 days that we were in hospital; she used to carry the family portrait of ours and roam around the house looking for us. She wasn't able to understand why we left her alone.

Three days after the child birth, we were ready to be discharged from the hospital, excited to be back to Sarah as she was missing us a lot. But, to our despair, the pediatrician informed us in the morning that our new born has developed jaundice and we had to extend the hospital stay. We were not sure how long this might extend. I was worried seeing the newborn struggling to be under phototherapy and equally worried for the elder one at home. That day felt so long. But thankfully the next day was all the cure we needed.

We were discharged from the hospital. We came back home with her sibling and could see Sarah still having our family portrait in her hand. It was so heartwarming and hurting at the same time.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the end to the lows. We had a baby sitter (Rupa) for Sarah who helped us since Sarah was 9 days old baby. They share a unique bond amidst themselves since Sarah would spend most of her time with Rupa when we both left to work. After almost 3 years, Rupa had to leave us owing to her parent’s health. Things were rolling down hill. Every little comfort seemed to leave Sarah’s side.

Two days after our discharge from the hospital, Sarah developed severe viral fever, her body burning like a hot sun for 6 straight days. We even had to do a blood test to rule out serious illnesses like dengue and malaria. Then, she was alright for a week and immediately had Hand Foot Mouth (HFM) infection that was doing its rounds in Mumbai. I was still recovering from my C Section, unable to do my basic daily routine, ensuring that my new born gets sufficient milk and extremely devastated to see every single thing happening to Sarah.

By this time, Sarah had become immune to lows, steep lows!

Since then, she has beautifully adjusted to the new environment. At times, I wasn’t sure if she deserved all these challenges. However, I was sure of one thing, that one day, both the sisters will realize, that they are blessed to have each other. All these challenges are worth that one moment. Siblings are our life long companions and well wishers and I can’t wait for my daughters to enjoy each other’s company.

I just hope Sarah’s journey from being a 3-year-old to 4-year-old is all fun without challenges like the previous year and she gets to play & grow with her sister. Once she grows old enough to read this blog, she will understand how she helped the family bring in a new member. God Bless our little Sarah who has now become our elder one.

Three cheers to Sarah !!!