Another friend from my mother’s group has just become a new grandmother. Little Andrew came into the world last week a bit early, but nice and healthy, so brand new Grandma Janet and Grandpa Tommy jumped into the car and rushed from New York to Maryland to ‘ooo’ and ‘ahh’ in delight over this wonderful miracle.  Whenever one of us experiences this new passage, I wax sentimental. It seems like just yesterday that we were all chasing after our own kids on the beach, trying to get in some “adult” conversation  between shouts of “Watch the rip tide, you’re going  too far out!” and “No more junk food, we’ll be having dinner soon”.  Jenine was the cute little girl in the Osh Kosh overalls, a few years later to become the cute teen in the stylish prom dress . . . and now, she’s a mother . . . Where did the time go?

Well, Janet, hold on to your hat 'cause the train has just left the station and there's no turning back. First, dry your eyes and breathe a sigh of relief that mother and son are doing well. Then, start scouring yard sales for the paraphernalia you’ll need for the next time they visit.  Be prepared to never again be able to resist the call of the children’s department, and don't even try to resist your new found addiction to every educational toy ever made. Get ready to remember things you thought were long forgotten, like how to put the baby over your knees in just the right position to get out that stubborn burp, and especially, how wonderful it feels to have that warm, sweet smelling bundle nestled in your arms.  Start loading up your brag book with photos, and get a Skype account for daily Maryland to Long Island updates. Expect to get a lump in your throat with news of the first smile, tooth, word, step... all the firsts. Don't be surprised when you hear yourself telling your daughter all those things that people told us when we were new mothers, like "Enjoy this time, they grow up so fast" and " It will be o.k., just follow your instincts". . .  And don't be surprised when your sleep deprived daughter looks at you in complete disbelief, just as we did when we were told this way back then. Prepare for a major dent in your budget (which you really won’t mind a bit) and make a place on your key ring for the Toys R Us frequent buyer tag.  But most of all, brace yourself for a giant swell of pride and love in your heart for your daughter and your grandchild, the likes of which you've never before experienced.

In other words, Janet my friend. . . 

Welcome to Grand parenting!