When my son and daughter-in-law first shared the news they were expecting twins, they said, “We’re going to need your help.”

I thought, Well, yeah, who wouldn’t? I didn’t allow myself to dwell on what that meant, happy to live in the pre-birth moments of anticipatory joy. Besides, I knew my husband and I would do whatever we could to help after the babies were born.

Then a friend of mine, also an expectant grandma, told me about a grandparenting class that was offered by a hospital near her. “It’s a ton of great information, Leah. Things have changed since our kids were little.”

That got my attention. Attention morphed into near panic. I hadn’t changed a diaper in more than 30 years! I wasn’t up to date on all the safety issues – like sleeping positions, what and when to feed them. Would I be able to wrestle them into the new style of car seats?

Multiply that by two (twins!) and my anxiety was building.

Luckily, I was able to sign up for a grandparenting class, taught by a grandma who was an RN. The most valuable piece of information she gave us: You are not the parent. Don’t give unsolicited advice. If something bothers you, you could say, “What does your pediatrician think about that?” (FYI, I've never had to use the line.)

The most frightening thing she shared: Sobering statistics about the percentage of accidents that occur when the baby is in the grandparents’ care. Uh….good to know. Yikes.

She also had samples of some really cool utensils and other techniques today’s parents have available. For example, a lot of today’s babies start on solid foods with…solid foods, like bite-sized pieces, not pureed versions like my kids did. That one freaked me out. Picture me poised to leap into action to fish chunks of food out of their mouths!

Happy, while hubby and I have both fished things from their mouths, none of the instances have been emergencies, and none due to menu choice!

In fact, my worries about diapering and the rest were quickly put to rest in that first second I held them, shortly after birth

Since then, we’ve spent most weekdays with the girls. We’ve had the joy of experiencing many of their “firsts” (or near first moments) – from rolling over to tummy crawls to first steps. We’ve learned their unique personalities and their many differences in preferences, from food choices to sock-wearing.

Now that they're toddlers, we spend hours playing peek-a-boo, dancing, singing, reading (a lot), building and knocking down block towers, running through the house (a toddler version of hide-and-seek), and so much more. There isn't a day without laughter and joy.

In  short, every day is a blessing.

Now, if someone would invent a transporter (à la Star Trek!) so we could get to New Jersey (and granddaughter number three!) in the blink of an eye, my life would be perfect.