"Mind if I take over dinner with my child development homework? I need help." I said as I walked into the dining room, laptop in hand. Mom and Callie had cooked dinner tonight, and they just told me it was ready.

Dinners together have slowly become normal as this week progressed- we finally have all the boxes off the dining room table.

"No problem!" Mom said, and Callie nodded her agreement.

I smiled, sitting at the table and putting my laptop to my right.

We each made our plates, and then I decided to explain the assignment.

"It's a bunch of questions about... well, my child development. But obviously I don't remember that so she said to ask our parents." I said.

Mom nodded. "Alright, ask away. Hopefully I have an answer," She laughed.

"Ok." I shrugged, opening the assignment again. I read the first question, "Who was there when you were born, if anyone? And are those people still important in your life today?" I looked at Mom.

She was cutting up her chicken. "Hm. My mom... wait, I don't think she was there when you were actually born,"

I tilted my head, prompting her to explain.

"We got in a fight the day you were born. She was in the hospital but not in the room the whole time. So, not her." She laughed sadly. "Teddy and April were, though."

I typed that. They were still important in my life, too. So, I added that in. "Is that it?"

"Yup. Just Teddy and April. They didn't want me to be alone."

"Aw." Callie said quietly.

Mom smiled a little.

Teddy and April were basically her sisters, I knew she was very grateful for them. It was sweet of them to be there.

"Ok... next. What was I like as a newborn?"

"Pfft." Mom sighed. "It was all a blur."

I laughed, taking a bite of my salad.

"I mean. You slept, pooped, and ate. Like any other newborn. You were way cuter though." Mom smiled. "Oh! You went through like a two week phase where you refused to sleep for longer than two hours. Unless I held you."

"Sounds annoying." I remarked as I typed what Mom said.

Callie laughed.

"No! Never annoying." Mom said quickly.

"Yeah sure," I giggled.

Mom shook her head. "Next question, Olivia."

"Ok, ok. When did I start crawling?"

"Seven months. Right after we moved into our old condo. I had boxes everywhere and you decided you wanted to start crawling all over the place!" Mom continued eating.

"Convenient timing." Callie jumped in.

"Of course. That's how it always works," Mom laughed. "I was panicking because then I had to go out and baby proof everything. And I had to get rid of all the boxes asap so nothing fell on her. Once she started crawling she was just go go go all over the place."

Callie shook her head in amusement.

I giggled as I typed out Mom's answer. "What about walking?"

"Two days before your first birthday! April was actually with us!!" Mom had a huge smile on her face, and Callie was watching intently. As if she would be quizzed on it later. "We were at the park, and both of us were like, holding your little hands and walking with you. You loved that. We went on the grass, and just out of curiosity we let go and you were off. Cutest thing ever!" Mom gushed.

I typed that up as well, smiling. Mom was too sweet.

"And then the week after your first birthday you face planted on the hard wood floor and busted your lip." Mom said sadly, as if remembering the exact moment. "It only bruised your ego for about two seconds though. You were pretty unphased."

Callie laughed. "Too cute."

I decided to add that in, just for fun.

"I think I was more traumatized than you, actually. I started crying and you were looking at me like what is wrong with you." Mom laughed.

I giggled. "Probably cause you're dramatic."

"You were a baby!"

"You'd probably cry if I fell right now." I teased.

"I'm emotional. And I love you." Mom defended.

"I love you too." I smiled. "What was my first word?"

"Mama, of course. My girl." Mom said happily. "It's the only word I drilled into your brain. From like. The day you were born."

Callie shook her head in amusement. "Why do I feel like you're 100 percent serious?"

"Oh, I totally am." Mom smiled proudly.

Both Callie and I laughed.

"I'm not surprised." Callie said.

I ate a little bit more, and then looked back at Mom. "What was the hardest part about having a toddler?" I read the next question.

Mom sighed, "Honestly? Being so young." She answered. "It wasn't that you were a difficult kid- you weren't. I was just a kid myself." She laughed a little, "That's why you, my love, will not be a teen parent." She pointed to me.

"I know, I know." I said as I typed it up. "I need a little more elaboration. My answers have to be like 4 sentences."

"Oh, uh." Mom thought for a moment. "I don't know what else. You were a great baby. I mean, maybe," Mom laughed. "Whenever you were defiant I would literally cry that night before bed."

"What? Why?" I tilted my head.

She laughed again- more of a sad laugh, though, "I was young. Probably a mixture of hormones and not knowing what I was doing wrong."

"That makes me sad." I didn't like the idea of Mom crying. Ever.

She shook her head, "Eventually I got the hang of the whole parenting thing. I hope. It's totally fine, Liv."

I typed up some more, managing to get exactly 4 sentences.

"Ok, and what was the best part about having a toddler?"

"What does this have to do with development?" Mom asked.

I giggled, "These are the discussion questions now. This is the last one."

"Oh. Ok." Mom smiled, "The best part? You've always been my best friend. Is that too cheesy for you to read in front of your class?"

"Little bit." I whispered, though, that was sweet of her to say.

"Hm,"

Callie laughed.

"You and I kind of grew up together. I learned from you as much as you learned from me, especially when you were a toddler. And, I loved seeing the way your little brain worked when you learned new things." Mom said thoughtfully.

I nodded slowly.

"Was that cheesy too?" Mom asked.

I smiled, "No. That was sweet." I glanced at her, then continued typing.

I took mental note of how Callie was so intently listening to Mom. Just as curious as I was about what she would say.

"You've always been my best friend, too, by the way." I said once I finished typing.

"Aww" Callie commented.

Mom's eyes filled with tears. "You're gonna make me cry, Olive."

"What?! No don't cry I just-" Mom was so emotional.

She rubbed her eyes, "You're the best."

I sighed.

"Sorry, sorry. Was that all the questions?"

"Yup! Yay for no more homework." I laughed.

"Yay!" Mom mocked.

"Yay!" Callie mimicked her, and then we all three laughed.