Tag: Parenthood

Understanding the Declining U.S. Fertility Rate

- Alexis Leave a comment

Photo of a mobile over a crib

A few days ago, data was released showing that the fertility rate in the United States – the number of babies born per 1,000 women of childbearing age – hit a record low in 2017, for the second year in a row.  The fertility rate has been declining every year since 2008, and the 3% drop from 2016 to 2017 is the largest single-year decrease since 2010.  The New York Times published an article about the phenomenon in Thursday’s paper with the headline “Fertility Rate Again Falls to a Record Low, Confounding Demographers.”  It seems no one can figure out why women between the ages of 15 and 44 aren’t having as many kids as they once did.  As a 33-year-old woman who conceived my first child in 2017, perhaps I can shed some light on the topic. Read more

Reflections on Six Weeks of Motherhood

- Alexis Leave a comment

The author nd her baby hiking by a lake

It’s been six weeks since my son was born. He’s gained more than 50% of his birth weight and has grown an inch in length. He’s beginning to outgrow some of his smallest clothes, and while I love watching him develop, I feel just a little sad packing away those tiny newborn-sized sleepers. He’s smiling more, which brings me so much joy, and I love it when we gaze at each other while I’m feeding him. He’s started to grasp things other than fingers, including occasionally my hair. He loves spending time on his tummy, especially on our chests, though he usually falls asleep during tummy time. He can lift his head and turn it from side to side (he’s been doing that for weeks now), and he can raise himself up on his forearms. I’m guessing it won’t be long until he starts crawling. He has my nose, cheeks, and ears; his dad’s eyes and smile; and both of our dimples.

Read more

My First Days as a Parent

- Alexis 2 Comments

As you may have guessed from my extended absence, I had my baby! He was born about a week before his due date, and we are both healthy.  Giving birth was an amazing experience.  It was not quite what I expected — my doctor was out of town, my labor was long and I ended up getting an epidural even though I’d hoped to avoid pain meds — but I had an incredible medical and support team, and watching a tiny human emerge from my body was one of the coolest things I have ever been a part of. Read more

Baby Coming Soon! What’s Your Advice?

- Alexis 6 Comments
Photo by E.

I wanted to post a quick update to say that my posts will likely become a little more erratic and less frequent for a while as I prepare for the arrival of my little one. I’m getting very close to my due date and doing my best to wrap up some loose ends at work and at home before he makes his appearance. I do plan to continue blogging, but the schedule will probably look a little different for a while. If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll subscribe so you can follow me on this journey!

In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to do an open thread of YOUR advice. Readers who have kids, what are your words of wisdom for brand new parents? Share them in the comments below!