#3 is the first one that has done the early morning wake-up for me and it started last week—ARGH!!  Anyway I put a breakfast bar out so he could eat that and go back to sleep.  My mom suggested a ziplock of Cheerios so he could totally help himself . . . just some ideas!

If you have (or acquire) a thermos, milk should stay plenty cold overnight.  I also try to keep snacks like cereal, crackers, peanut butter, apples, or bananas that the kids could help themselves to in the mornings.

Kids simply don’t starve themselves, so don’t worry.  The bigger a deal you make of it, the bigger of a problem you will end up with!  Try to avoid foods you know he “hates” but I would suggest serving a variety of healthy foods and allowing him to eat as much or as little as he would like.  I absolutely do not allow complaining about the food or whining for “something else”, but otherwise I try not to be concerned about what or how much the kids eat.  Bread, yogurt, peanut butter, and milk are all nutritious, so don’t worry about serving these often- even daily. I’d suggest eliminating the chicken nuggets, however, because they are *so* processed if you are using frozen or fast food varieties.  You could maybe try making them yourself with real ingredients, and then they’d be better for occasional lunches or dinners.

Thanks so much, Jen.  This was totally helpful.  I do give them the processed chicken nuggets you are right! and have been wanting to make a change there.  Last summer I made homemade ones and he wouldn’t touch them! But I can certainly try again-you are right, am I generally opposed to the processed foods, but I slack with him b/c he is so picky.  What’s funny about my dear boy is that when we make bread or bake(and he loves to cook, but not eat the stuff he cooks!), he loves to eat plain old flour.  I can’t figure it out-who likes that?-so maybe his tastebuds are off or this is just a phase.  He’s always sneaking licks of the flour that fall out of the bowl onto the counter.

I was under the impression you only had to have one practicing Catholic as sponsor. I know that is how it is done at RCIA (in our diocese). A second person can be a “witness” if they are not Catholic, but they cannot be a sponsor unless Catholic. If Father does not agree with that though, you may not have a choice. Father’s concern may be there because she is not a practicing Catholic herself (usually parents asking for baptism for their children are already practicing Catholics.) Is there someone else in the parish who might be willing to help out? If she is regularly attending Mass with the children there’s bound to be someone else she recognizes who might be willing to help—even if they are not close friends.

It is not necessary to have two practicing Catholics to baptize, only one is mandatory.  If there is another person who is Christain, that person can serve as a Christian witness.  However, since you are a woman, the Christian witness must be a man.
These rules can be found here, http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P2Y.HTM, which is the Code of Canon Law.
The other option is to have someone from the parish step in as godfather. What about your husband?  (not sure if you are married)

Tressa,
I think you have received good advice given by Mary, Deanna & Alice.  A solid, Catholic male role model will be very important as these boys grow.  This is a wonderful & important opportunity for you, as the Catholic godmother of this child, to offer support for these 3 young boys who are to be raised in the Faith by a non-Catholic.  Offering age-appropriate Catholic books, sacramentals, etc. for the boys might be a good way support them in the Faith while, at the same time, gently catechizing & evangelizing their grandmother.  Lord willing, their grandmother may come to the Catholic Faith in the process!  I admire her for doing what she can to raise her grandsons in a Faith that she does not share with them.

My daughter has only one godparent, my mother.  She is a practicing catholic.  Our priest did not require a second godparent and we couldn’t think of anyone else we know that actually practices.

Margaret,
I think you’re overwhelmed. You’re human and really exhausted. It’s only natural to start feeling anxious because you know that having a new baby means more exhaustion. Don’t feel bad about not being happy. As much as you love your children, you can only be pushed so far.
I suggest that you start instituting a day by yourself once a week (if possible) where you spend the whole day by yourself. Obviously, once the baby is born he/she might have to join you. Try to find someone you can talk to and vent a little (a Priest, good friend, relative). The more you communicate the better you’ll feel.
PRAY! It is a huge stress reliever. God is bigger. Remember that. Trust in Him that He will provide. But take it from someone who recently had a panic attack. I wasn’t ready for what hit me. But after talking with a good friend of mine and my family doctor I’ve realized that to be a good wife & mother, I need to make sure I’m taking good care of myself. The worst thing you can do is worry.
I hope this helps a little. Remember, you’re not alone and not the only mother who was not happy about finding out they were pregnant again. =) God Bless you & your family!

You are not the only one.  I cried the last 2 positive test.  The first time I couldn’t tell anyone for almost 3 months b/c I was so overwhelmed.  Now I wouldn’t trade the little one for the world!  We are dealing with hormones and the real reality of the difficulty of pregnancy and taking care of the other little ones.  It is normal.  It helps to have someone to confide in but always turn your concerns to the Lord in prayer.  He is the only one that will not let you down.  It helps to think of eternity and that God willed this little soul from the beginning of time.  “Before I knit you in your mother’s womb, I knew you”.

Oh Margaret!  Prayers coming your way.  You’re at a really physically demanding time right now.  Vince Lombardi wrote that “fatigue makes cowards out of all of us.”  I think he’s right.  When you’re physically tired it’s hard to keep everything in perspective.  Try to think long, long term - eternal perspective.  You will not only survive this season, you will thrive.  Peace sista!

Margaret - Ignore the insensitive comments - people are ignorant and don’t really know what they are saying. Or, they’re just mean (or more likely jealous). I don’t even address them.  I act like I didn’t hear them and smile.  Or I respond like they just said it was the greatest thing in the world that I was having another baby. Very few people are going to push it if you ignore them or act positive.  But “threats”?  I’m not sure what you mean by that . . .

DebbieZ, I love that line, “I struggle with fertility.”!!! I’m going to remember that one. Comic relief is always needed when we find ourselves in these situations that require such faith.  I’m expecting #10. Yep, you read that right. TEN.

And Margaret, I did the same thing when I saw the two pink lines. Disbelief. How could God think I am ready for another? Why aren’t all of my friends who would just DIE to have another getting pregnant? Is this really a good witness to Natural Family Planning?? I mean, I must have gotten pregnant on DAY 6 of my cycle!! And I’m 44 years old!! What will the neighbors say (the ones who hear our children all day long in the summer time?!) One thing we did was not tell ANYONE for the first few months until we ourselves were reconciled to and peaceful with the idea of having another. I think my greatest consolation came when I read one of Danielle Bean’s columns in which she quoted Mother Teresa, “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.” I do think it is a good idea to pray for the grace to be happy and joyful to receive this new life. I can’t think of a single one of my kids who hasn’t brought me so much joy and happiness (even though yes, it is hard work and suffering too!!). I’ll pray for you Margaret!

Margaret, I know just what you mean. We decided to stop avoiding a pregnancy and got pregnant right away. We’re happy, but terrified. This will be #4 for us and puts us ahead in kids of all our other family members so we think they’ll be excited but we’re not sure. And I’m already horribly sick and only at 6 weeks! It’s not clear to me how I’ll make it through the first trimester but I just keep telling myself that lots of other mothers have made it so I will, too. I pray a morning prayer with the kids every day and the line about offering up the sufferings of the day has a whole new meaning!

Thanks, Angela!  That is very interesting…maybe my son tastes something in flour that makes it yummy to him plain that the rest of us do not!  I can’t believe, that Dr. Sears book is probably the one I don’t have.  I have a stack of the other books in my shelf!  Found this info really interesting and your suggestions so helpful-really appreciate it!

Thanks for sharing. I am a super taster. I have gagged on so many foods because there was one onion sliver accidently on my sandwich or one pea in my stew. I grew up being called a drama queen but honestly it isn’t that I go looking for these stray pieces, as a matter of fact I never see them but no doubt it is there.

Actaully if she is only doing this at home that is an excellent reason for therapy. Perhaps the flu/recovery/attention started her thinking about other problems, maybe even the split family. Giving her a safe person to talk with can’t hurt—just be sure to scene them very well.

I was the same way.  I couldn’t deal with any negative comment or reaction, so I had to wait until I felt better physically.