Paul Clinton
Three bundles of joy have come into the home of Councilwoman Pam
Julien Houchen and her husband Bryan.
Last month, the councilwoman brought her new triplets home from the
hospital. No question Julien Houchen now has her arms full.
The two-term councilwoman, licensed Realtor and now mother to three
said she'll have a tougher job managing a busy schedule, but is
optimistic.
"Today's woman can do it all," Julien Houchen said. "She can still
have a career and have children and participate in politics."
It's possible to have it all now, she said, because men are full
participants in the child-rearing process -- not like when she was
growing up.
Bryan, a general contractor, has been lending an active hand to help
with the children's array of needs, she said.
On Feb. 28, Julien Houchen gave birth to three girls -- Rachel Kim,
Katherine Rose and Grace Allison -- at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center
in Laguna Hills.
The girls weighed in at 3 pounds 14 ounces, 3 pounds 10 ounces and 2
pounds 4 ounces. They've been bulking up since then. Rachel and Katherine
now weigh eight pounds; Grace weighs in at five pounds.
"We must be doing something right because they're growing," Julien
Houchen said.
The three share a room at the Houchens' baby hotel.
"They're really good babies," Houchen said. "They're really mellow.
They don't cry or scream."
Julien Houchen missed five council meetings -- spread out over
January, February and half of March -- while she entered her final weeks
of pregnancy and the birthing process.
She phoned in for the City Council meetings to offer input as her
colleagues chose a replacement for disgraced former Mayor Dave Garofalo.
Julien Houchen posted public-meeting notices at her home, so her
participation would be permitted under the state's open-meeting laws.
Now back to work, Julien Houchen says she has scaled back committee
meetings to allow her to juggle duties. So far, it's working out fine,
she said.
* PAUL CLINTON is a reporter with Times Community News. He covers City
Hall and education. He may be reached at (714) 965-7173 or by e-mail ato7 paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .
