The birth and family

I can't believe it's only been eight short weeks since Julien was in my belly.

It seems fitting somehow to start a blog about Julien on his two month birthday. I am hoping that since many of our family and friends don't live in the same city as us those who read this will be able to peek into his quickly evolving life. And even if you are a Portlander, we all get busy and "they grow up so fast".

Well, these last two months have been a little bit of a blur, but everyone says that's to be expected. The most fitting comparison I have heard is that the days go very slowly as the weeks fly by.


Right after I hit my due date of May 2nd, I found out I was going to be induced. This process lasted a bit longer than anticipated (five days) but ended with a very healthy baby and mommy. With as little medical intervention as we could manage and no pain medication Julien Conrad Couch was born after about 7 hours of labor and about half an hour of pushing. My dad Conrad was there the four days prior to the birth, my mom Holly, Daniel and Kimary were all their leading up to and during Juien's arrival.


Right from the very beginning Julien knew exactly where to go for food. It amazed me that moments after he arrived we placed him on my chest and he started rooting. Eyes closed and barely a few minutes old he found it and latched on.



Julien was born on May 8th 2010 at 3am sharp. He weighed around 8 pounds, measured 21 inches long with a 14.25 inch circumference head.

We arrived home on mother's day, one week after being admitted. We all were exhausted but feeling a little bit more human once again. I have never felt so relieved to be in the comfort of my own home.

For the first week after Julien was born my mom was here to help, and it was so needed. I ended up coming home from the hospital with a chest cold. What a combination with a brand new baby, I was the one who needed to be taken care of. I was sad to see Holly leave but she had taken almost two weeks (more than expected) off to help out, and she had to get back to finish out the school year.

Amazing dould, friend, and now truly a part of our family, auntie Kimary.

Mama Couch was so excited to fly out from Texas to see her first little grand-baby.

He did a lot of this.


His giant, aunt Andrea, who will teach him lot's of important things.


Julien and daddy being rockers.


Namesake, grandpa Conrad. Julien rather enjoyed the guitar.


Very pregnant aunt Jenny and uncle Koeby paid a visit. Julien got to hang out on mama's belly and got kicked a few times by his new cousin who will only be a few months younger than him. There are definitely summer trips to be had for the country cousin and the city cousin.

The superman hold, taught by aunt Jenny, is a lifesaver for Daniel.


One of his first "real" smiles. What a GREAT reward after the sleepless nights and screaming fits that can drive a mother batty. But this just makes it all good.


A very happy mama!

I can't even begin to express my gratitude and amazement for all the meals brought over for us during those first several, trying weeks. As I was healing and we were (are) getting adjusted to having Julien in our life, that helped SO much. Beyond that, seeing so many of our friends who have stopped by to play bocce, hang out, hold Julien, share a meal...it reminds me that life is not over when you have a kid but that it just takes a little more work and the support and the understanding of your friends. Julien is a lucky man to have such good people who care about him.

Already pushing himself up on his arms and holding his head at a little over 1 month old.

Wearing the sweater (yes, a sweater in JUNE) his auntie Lindsey knitted for him.

Aunt Caelin, uncle Dan and Cousin Gavin also made the trip all the way from Ashland in late March. It was wonderful to see them all and feel so loved and supported. I can't believe that Gavin will be 1 this month! He is ridiculously adorable and very mobile, crawling and investigating things as well as pulling himself up to stand. It makes me realize how soon that will be Julien and to appreciate every day of his baby-ness.