Becoming a parent changes your life. When I first became a mom I had no idea how much my life would change. Considering the fact that until I gave birth I had no idea I was going to be a mom it's understandable. I had little problem adjusting to it. My mind wondered back to those first days.
The doctor finally came back with good news. The twins were nearly fully developed. Jordan had a case of colic but it was minor. Justine had no physical problems. She had blonde hair like Stan. Jordan's hair was brown like mine. Justine's eyes were blue like mine. Jordan's eyes were blue like Stan's. When I got the word that my children were alright I breathed a sigh of relief. I was finally allowed visitors after that but I was only allowed one at a time. My mother came in first. She was beaming from ear to ear.
"I guess you heard," I said.

She chuckled. "Of course I heard," she said, "How are you feeling honey?"
"Terrified," I admitted, "I have never been a mom before and I love those babies more then I ever thought it was possible to love another human being in my life. I don't know the first thing about being a mother." Mom sat down next to me on the bed. She stroked my hair gently.
"Believe me Olivia," she said, "You are going to be a wonderful mother. Motherhood is not about planning. You do have to be organized but that's not what it's about. Motherhood is about love."
"Well I love Justine and I love Jordan," I told my mother.
"I know you do," mom said, "It's also about knowing your children. You will learn what their strengths are. You will learn about their weaknesses. You'll learn how to adjust. You'll learn how to think with your heart as well as your head."

I listened to mom's wise words and it actually gave me a little confidence but my mother was far from done talking.
"You know Will is claustrophobic," she continued, "so whenever we went out to eat I would sit on the inside so that Will would be more comfortable."
"I remember that," I said, "I didn't realize he was claustrophobic though."

Jordan started screaming. Instantly I reached for him, fed him and rocked him humming as I did so. He fell asleep.
"You were saying," Mom asked wisely. I smiled.
"I get the point," I said.
"That's my girl," mom said kissing me on the nose. I laughed.
"Mom I'm not a little girl anymore," I said.
"You're my little girl," my mother said. Stan came in with Justine and hugged my mom after carefully putting Justine in her basinet.
"Charlotte," he said, "It's so good to see you."
"It's good to see you too," Charlotte said, "But you make sure you're good to my baby and my grand babies."

Laughing from those memories I looked at the clock and realized I had court in a few hours. I had a full docket. Luckily I would be home before Justine got home from school but I would have to leave around nine thirty and I would be gone for an hour and a half. I always got nervous leaving Justine alone but I have started to feel more comfortable. Thinking about that brought me back to the first day. Before I had time to sink back down onto the couch Grace knocked at my door. I knew it was Grace. Se had a very specific knock.

Grace was the second person to visit me. She knocked five times, paused then knocked six times. It was her special knock. Stan opened the door for Grace. I had Justine in my arms. Grace didn't even bother greeting Stan. She wanted to get to the baby so badly.
"Can I hold her," Grace asked me. I smiled and handed the baby to Grace.

"This is amazing," she said kissing my check, "I still can't believe you're a mother and 24 hours ago you didn't even know you were carrying a baby."
"Tell me about it," I said, "I couldn't believe it. One minute I'm eating and the next I'm in surgery for a C Section... the best damn surgery I ever had," I added.

"So," she asked, "What kind of a parent are you going to be?"

"Um... one who has children," I said laughing.

"I meant are you going to put them on a schedule? Are you going to feed on demand? Are you going to be strict or easy going? Are you going to be a hitting parent or not? Are you going to-"

"Slow down," I said holding up a hand, "You're asking questions faster then I can answer," I laughed.
"Sorry," Grace said.
"Anyway," I said, "I don't think I'm going to do a feeding schedule. When babies are hungry they need to eat. When babies are tired they need sleep. It's not their responsibility to be hungry when it's convenient for me to feed them. I'm going to be a proactive parent. KEYS TO COMMUNICATION is at this point my favorite style. I've been reading parenting books since I was a kid after all."

I opened the door for Grace.

"Hey Grace," I said, "Come on in."

"Thanks," Grace said smiling.

"Can I make you something to eat," I asked her.

"Maybe some water," she said, "Oh and I see you were about to make yourself a bowl of cream of wheat. Make enough for me."

"Sure," I said.

I actually wasn't about to make myself anything but Grace is uncomfortable being direct. I put the cereal up.

"You know Olivia," Grace said, "Sometimes you see a catapiller or rather you think it's a catapiller but it's actually a butterfly."

I looked at Grace totally confused.

"Yes," I said, "A catapiller is actually a part of the life of a butterfly."

"My point is," Grace said, "Things aren't always as they seem. Maybe there's someone in your life you thought you wouldn't ever see again and maybe one day you come home and you are reunited with that person.

"Are you okay," I asked Grace.

As much as I loved her she was acting weird and weird even for Grace.
"I'm fine," Grace said, "I'm just saying J- just that sometimes things aren't as they seem."

"Okay," I said, "Grace I'm a judge. Don't you think I would know that?"

"Can Justine sleep over tonight," Grace asked, "Mary Ellen wants her too."

"Sure," I said, "as long as she wants to."

I stirred the cereal then put half of it in a bowl for Grace and the other half I poured in a bowl for me.

"Thanks," Grace said, "Oh and Olivia thank you for being such a good friend to me. You've always been there for me and I hope you know I appreciate it."

"GOD knows you've been there for me," I said.

"Well all I know," Grace said, "is that you're going to make a wonderful mom."

She sighed.

"What's wrong," I asked.

"I had some news I wanted to share with you," she said, "But you just gave birth."

"Grace," I said, "Tell me anyway."
"I just found out," Grace said, "I'm 3 months pregnant. I am so sorry. I feel like I'm ruining your moment."
"You are not ruining my moment," I told her laughing with delight. I hugged her.
"I am so happy for you," I said, "How do you feel?"
"Pregnant," Grace said laughing, "It actually hasn't hit me right yet. I mean I'm going to be responsible for another life."
"Imagine how I feel," I laughed "You at least have six months to prepare."

"Oh please," she said, "You're as happy as a pig in a barn right now."

"You know Grace," I said, "I would love for you to be the Godmother of the twins."

Grace squealed and hugged me. We were practically like sisters anyway. Grace is the only one I would really trust to be my children's GODMOTHER. I love her. We were raised together. Grace's mom (a single parent of one) died when she was six and I insisted on her moving in. I didn't have to insist much though.