"Congratulations! You're having twins!" There is no news that can be more exciting or more intimidating than finding out your new baby is not coming alone. However, there are some great ways to prepare for life with a quickly expanding family.

One of my favorite sanity savers before my twins arrived, and during their first year, was Ready or Not... Here We Come! by Elizabeth Lyons. The book is written for mothers of twins from a friend's perspective. Elizabeth does a great job addressing all aspects of that first year by drawing on her own experience as well as that of her twin mom friends. I was really able to rally around her humor, realism, and tricks-of-the-trade for surviving that first year with twins. The book has become the first book I recommend to anyone having twins. Elizabeth also wrote a follow-up book, Ready or Not... There We Go!, which covers years two through four of life with twins. That book is still a nightstand staple for me.

Another fantastic resource for twin parents is a local parents of multiples group. There are groups all across the U.S. where parents of multiples come together to give each other support. In those groups, you can find help and advice, both before your twins are born and after. I wish I would have gotten more involved in my local club before the boys arrived because I think I would have had more support in those first few crazy months. Even now, three years in, I really enjoy getting together with other twin parents. Find out more about the great things about joining a parents of multiples club here. Looking for your local club? You can start at the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs.

There are online resources for parents as well. One of my favorite is a blog titled "How Do You Do It?". I think the blog is a great resource for parents of multiples and provides insight into life with twins or more, either for those expecting multiples or those who are just curious. Want to know what daily life with newborn twins is like? Check out this post.

Most importantly, new parents of twins should remember that this is an adventure - enjoy the ride! - Sara I.