The oldest mother in America to give birth to one child is Arceli Keh of California. In 1996, she gave birth to a daughter when she was 63. The previous twins record: In 2002, Marilyn Nolen, a former U.S. Olympic athlete, gave birth to twins at the age of 55. In 1998, Lin Fu-mei, of Taiwan, whose age has been reported as 58 or 59, gave birth to two daughters.

Aleta's children, Francesca was born first (5 lbs. 2 oz.), with brother Gian only a minute behind at 5 pounds, 12 ounces.

St. James, a motivational speaker, said:

It doesn't feel real. Just to look at these children, they're so beautiful, it's amazing to me. I've done so many things in my life, but holding these children is the most incredible thing I have ever done.

A lot of people may think I am selfish or crazy or whatever.

Well, I'm a little bit crazy. I've never lived in the box. I just say if you have a dream, if you put your mind to it and don't listen to other people's negativity, you can really do incredible things.

I'm in very good physical condition. I do emotional healing work. I knew I could do this.

I knew I could give extraordinary things to these children.

After a three year effort and $33,000 investing in in vitro fertilization, the single mother of a boy and a girl is on her way to a journey of a lifetime.

Aleta said, "I heard her cry, and I started to cry," she said. "They had their own personalities from the beginning. I know that when I am ready to die, I am leaving a great legacy here on the planet."

The father, an unnamed ex-boyfriend of St James' donated his sperm in order to help Aleta become a mother.

At 57, Aleta's eggs were not an option. She has not met her egg donor. She has seen only a brief profile of the woman. The woman's eggs, her ex-boyfriend's sperm and Aleta's body were strong enough to accept two embryos which produced Aleta's first two children.

The children's uncle (Aleta's brother) is the Guardian Angels founder and radio host Curtis Sliwa.

St. James told her family the experience has already surpassed all expectations.

St. James told reporters that her own grandmother was 53 when she gave birth to her mother, also named Francesca, now 80.

"I never thought this was strange at all," she said.

St. James' doctor said her stellar health, her financial stability and her huge social support network qualified her for success.

For a couple who spent thirteen years trying to become parents and at least as much money, we congratulate Aleta, Francesca, Gian and Uncle Curtis.

You're not crazy. Surround yourself with love and support, and you can do anything.

You're also not alone.

In 2002, a total of 263 children were born to women ages 50 and 54, according to the latest information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In November 2002, Richard Paulson, an infertility specialist at the University of Southern California, reported in The Journal of the American Medical Association that women over 50 are just as likely to conceive and deliver a baby with donor eggs as younger women are.

Although Paulson's fertility program has an age cutoff of 55, his clinic reported in 1997 that one patient had delivered at age 63. She had told doctors she was 10 years younger than she actually was.

Also, remember Sarah from The Bible?

As a result of her faith, she became a mother of nations when she gave birth at ninety years of age.

Happy Birthday Francesca, Gian and Aleta!

Congratulations Dr. Jonathan Scher and Dr. Jane Miller for accepting Aleta and for helping to make her dream come true.

Inspire & Be Inspired (R).

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful and defying the odds living!