If you are expecting multiples right now, you probably have a lot of concerns and thoughts on your mind. While you may be thinking about how you will be able to handle feeding, bathing and diapering multiple babies at the same time, it is a good idea to stop for a moment and catch your breath. To make dealing with the prospects of becoming the parents of multiples more manageable and less stressful, take things one step at a time. To start with, think about the basic items you will need to handle the first month of your multiples’ lives.

Furniture
Many parents of multiples find that putting twins in the same crib works well. They keep each other company, and this can actually help to reduce the babies’ initial anxiety about sleeping outside the womb. When selecting a crib or cribs, you will want to look for a crib that is sturdy, that has a locking rail system and that has slats that are not too widely spaced. If you are looking to save money in the long run, also look for a crib that can be converted into a toddler bed.

Baby Supplies
One of the biggest surprises of being the parents of multiples is the sheer volume of stuff that you need. You will need a healthy supply of bottles, pacifiers, bottle cleaners, washrags, towels, baby shampoo, baby wipes, diapers, diaper pales, diaper rash ointment or cream, toys and grooming equipment. As you can see, the more babies you are expecting, the more of these items you will need to stock up on before the little ones arrive.

Baby Clothes
The first month of your multiples’ lives is going to be difficult. Many multiples are born premature so they may spend several weeks in the hospital before you are allowed to take them home. However, when you do get to bring them home, they most likely will still be very small. To get through the first few weeks at home you will need extra-small baby clothes and diapers, such as preemie onesies, socks, baby shoes and jumpers.

Setting up a nursery is one of the more fun tasks facing first time parents, but if you’ve never hung out with babies before, the variety of baby-themed products on the market can be overwhelming. Here’s a short guide to what you really need and what you can do without, even if your nursery is just a corner of your one-bedroom apartment.

1. A Crib
Though we all have heard stories of older relatives who were surprise babies and slept in a drawer (or maybe it’s just my weird family), a crib is an absolute essential. Whether you’re buying a crib new, borrowing from a friend or purchasing from a consignment store — safety features are essential.

When purchasing bedding for the crib, make sure to order extra-deep sheets. The safety factor makes the extra cost worthwhile. Non-deep sheets can slide off the bed and become a strangulation hazard.

2. A Changing Table
This can be a fancy model from a catalog, or it can be as simple as a changing pad placed on the floor with a basket next to it for changing essentials , like diapers, wipes and ointment. Wipe warmers are NOT essential, but a trash bin to put soiled diapers in is essential. In my experience Diaper Genies and the like are more trouble than they’re worth and just end up smelling horrible. You’re better off with a regular trash can with a tight fitting lid, but most times you’re going to want to take the bag with the dirty diaper out immediately.

3. A Comfortable Chair
Gliders are excellent for this purpose, but any soft chair where you can snuggle with the baby will do. Whether you’re nursing or bottle-feeding, you’ll get up several times in the middle of the night in the beginning, and you need a place where it won’t hurt if you fall asleep!

4. A Baby Monitor
When my second daughter was born, she had the lungs of an opera singer, and my house was compact and vertical so you could hear a voice from any room in it. Even still, the baby monitor came in handy for when I was outside getting groceries out of the car or down in the basement doing laundry. This is something you can borrow from a friend as long as it’s in working order.

When your little one will be spending most of their days snoozing and napping through winter season, they’ll need some comfortable sleepwear and cozy accessories to make the most of their hibernation. ‘Tis the season to wrap your kids up in snuggle-worthy clothing and onesies made with fleece, keeping them warm and toasty when temperatures drop and enjoy their daily snooze sessions in peace. Onesies and PJs designed especially for newborns are the versatile necessity for the season. Here are a few sleepwear must-haves for those chilly days ahead:

Your little lady is sure to enjoy life in la-la land in the Hurley Kids Footsie ; this zip-down onesie comes in a hot pink design and is covered with an all-over screen print. It’s made of 100-percent cotton and will easily trap in any extra heat both day and night. It’s a ‘Footsie,’ because it’s an all-in-one suit that keeps those toes well-protected against the elements; you can add a pair of booties or socks on top of the suit for extra protection on any brisker days ahead.

Your little prince will be pampered like royalty in an uber-comfortable velour onesie – an outfit that might also get him some extra attention during his snooze fest. The Petit Bateau Velour Footie is a super-soft pajama made with an 80/20 cotton and polyester blend. This one features a curious bunny and kangaroo pocket on the front and is a snap to put on and take off with the simple closure design.

If it’s the classic PJs you’re after, make sure you pick up a set of Sara’s Print Kids Pajamas , a loose fitting cotton pajama with a rib trim for extra comfort. You can pick from fun designs including red fire trucks, royal dinos and space travel or even tap into his sporty side with a pair of PJs with basketball hoops or a hockey theme. These extra-soft pajama sets can be accessorized with a pair of fleece booties and a fun beanie to trap in even more heat on any chilly evening.

When you’re looking for winter weather basics for your little girl or boy, you’ll need to stock up on a few sets of flannel, cotton and polyester pajamas for those casual days at home. Machine-washable sets are the most versatile choice for your hectic schedule, and buying a flame-resistant set will keep your little one safe and warm for nap time.

Giving your kids an edge in school is one of the priceless gifts that you can give them. One way to give your multiples an edge in school is to develop their desire to read. Literacy is a skill that can be developed early, and really it needs to be developed as early as possible. While being able to read on their own is a skill that will most likely not develop until after they enter kindergarten, you can develop literacy skill basics by reading to them and playing letter and word games.

Literacy Development Activity No. 1: Reading Time
The first way that you can encourage your children to develop a love of reading is to read to them. Even if your multiples have not yet been born, you can still stimulate their minds by reading to them. Reading can become a bedtime routine, or it can be used as a reward. The key is to make reading seem like a fun thing to do.

Literacy Development Activity No. 2: The Alphabet Song
Another way that you can stimulate literacy is by teaching your multiples the alphabet song. The alphabet song makes learning the alphabet much easier for children to do. It can also be a fun activity for you to share with your kids. After they have mastered the song, you can pair the singing of the alphabet song with an illustration of the letters. As you sing each letter, you will point to the corresponding letter on the graphic. This will help your multiples to learn what the letters look like. You can then advance the activity by asking for your multiples to show you where the letter “M” is or the letter “O”.

Literacy Development Activity No. 3: Word Games
As your multiples develop their literacy skills, you can play word games. You will need flash cards for these activities. Memory is a game that works well for a word game. On one card you will have a picture, and on its’ pair will be the written word for the item on the card. For example you can have a picture of a dress on one card and the word “dress” on its match.

When you think of Italian food, what comes to mind? You may think of cheesy, meaty lasagna or a large plate of spaghetti. Both sound delicious and are a big hit with kids, but they can be a bit high in carbs and calories. This doesn’t mean that every Italian dish has to be loaded with calories. There are ways to create delicious Italian inspired meals that are actually quite healthy. Best of all, your kids won’t turn their noses up in disgust.

Veggie Spaghetti
Serves 4

• 1 spaghetti squash
• Olive oil
• 16 ounces of sliced mushrooms
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 1 large bell pepper, sliced
• Sea salt, to taste
• 16-ounce jar of organic pasta sauce

• ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds.
2. Bake skin side up for 30 to 40 minutes or until fork tender.
3. In the meantime, sauté the mushrooms in olive oil and season with salt after they’ve taken on color.
4. In another skillet, season the onions and bell pepper with salt and sauté in olive oil.
5. Combine the vegetables with the sauce and heat through.
6. When the squash is done, scrape the flesh to create strands that resemble spaghetti.
7. Top the squash with veggie sauce and parmesan cheese.
8. Serve with whole wheat garlic bread.

Whole Wheat Garlic Bread
Serves 4

• ½ loaf of whole wheat Italian or French bread
• Olive oil
• 2 large garlic cloves
• Fresh cracked pepper, to taste

• ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1. Cut the bread in half lengthwise and brush with olive oil.
2. Broil until the bread is golden brown.
3. Cut the garlic cloves in half and pierce with a fork.
4. Rub the garlic on the toasted bread, season with pepper and sprinkle with cheese.

There’s no need to grab your running shoes after eating this meal. This is an Italian inspired feast you can actually feel good about feeding your family.

One of the time honored family recreation activities in America has been Trick or Treating. This can be a fun activity for the whole family. In fact, even though I do not get candy from the neighbors (I leave that to my son), I still like to dress up in a witch costume . However, when you are Trick or Treating, it is important to keep some important safety tips in mind. You want your family activity to be safe as well as fun.

About.com offers some great Halloween Safety Tips for Trick or Treating

*Make sure your child is visible. You should have your child carry something like a flashlight or wear a glow bracelet or necklace. This makes them visible to others in the dark.

*Shoes should fit well. Sneakers may not be the coolest thing to wear with a cowboy costume , but they are the safer option. And really, the shoes are the least important part.

*Keep away from costumes that drag. If a costume is dragging on the ground, there is a chance that it will be stepped on and could cause your child to fall or contribute to other problems.

*Caution your children to walk and to avoid lawns. Keep your children’s exuberance in check. Running, as well as cutting across lawns, can contribute to falling and tripping over items that may be hard to see.

*Avoid darkened houses when Trick or Treating. Not only are dark homes more likely to have hidden obstacles, they usually belong to people who do not wish to be bothered.

*Costumes should allow visibility and breathing. Make sure your child can breathe easily in the costume, as well as see properly. Also, make sure kids maintain a good temperature — no overheating or costumes that are too thin in the cold.

*Flexible props. It is best to leave weapons at home while Trick or Treating, even if they are flexible. But if you must have that ninja sword, make sure it is flexible and does not resemble a real weapon.

When cold winter days rear their ugly head, but you want to take your newborn out for a day on the town, dolling him or her up in a few winter weather basics will keep them safe, comfortable and more than ready for the road. Your newborn will need several layers of clothing and blankets to face those brisk mornings and chilly evenings like a winter veteran. From fleece-lined onesies to layered bodysuits with mittens, there’s something for all tastes and styles for the chilly season ahead.

They may be too young for a snowball fight, but a puffy jacket is an absolute must for staying well-protected from the elements. The Puff Rider Jacket from Patagonia is designed just for babies, with a deluxe polyester shell and a water-resistant layer. The quilted jacket will fend off that brisk wind and keep baby plenty warm with extra hand-warmer pockets and Quallofil insulation. The jacket is also machine-washable, so you don’t have to worry about spills and accidents ruining this winter must-have.

Keep your little girl cozy and comfortable in a fur-lined Bunting Suit that comes with its own set of mittens. This suit is designed with a hood and closed feet to trap heat in for the long haul. This super-sweet pink set is also easy to take on and off – a must for those last-minute trips – and is machine washable.

Whether you’re off to the park or just heading out for a tour of the town, layer up your tot with some fleece-lined pants designed with eco-friendly materials. The Patagonia Baby Synchilla Pants are a playful and fun addition to your newborn’s ensemble. This pair of super-comfortable pants is made with soft fleece and designed with an elastic waist. The pants can be worn by themselves or layered with various onesies and other bottoms for extra warmth.

And when the day calls for chilling out at home and steering clear of chilly weather outdoors, packing your newborn up in a fleece vest can keep them warm and toasty all day long. The Baby Synchilla Vest is made with double-faced fleece and a relaxed fit for easy layering. It’s another super-soft addition to baby’s winter wardrobe and a versatile piece for indoor or outdoor activities.

Having multiples means there are a lot of things you have to do in twos or threes. However, one of the advantages of having twins, triplets, quads or quints is that you can throw one birthday party for the set. While this saves you some hassle and simplifies things a bit, it is still important that each child is treated specially on their birthday. Fortunately, there are several ways you can make a joint birthday party a special event for each of your multiples.

Separate Birthday Cakes
To ensure that each of your multiples has a unique birthday experience provide each one with their own cake. You don’t have to buy two or three luxury, character cakes for the birthday party if you don’t want to, after all a cake per child can add up to a lot of cake. Instead, you can make a personal-size character cake for each child and then have a larger party cake for the guests. This way, each multiple will get to blow out the candles on their own cake and pick the design and character that they want for their cake.

Separate Guest Lists
While it is likely that your multiples will have some of the same friends that they will want to invite to their birthday parties, if you are having a sleepover or a small party with only a few special guests, each multiple will likely invite their best friend(s) from school. If this is the case, you can provide each multiple’s guest with a special colored t-shirt that corresponds to the color of shirt worn by the birthday boy or girl that invited them. You can then use this color team philosophy to play party games.

Special Presents
While many parents of multiples give their multiples the same gift on their birthday, it is important that you make each child’s gift unique in some way. For example, you may buy each the same type of shirt, but each child gets that design in a different color. Try to consider the preferences of each child in the gift selection process. When they get older, you can provide them with a gift card to their favorite store and allow them to shop for what they want. You can even make the shopping experience part of the birthday celebration fun.