Karen's pregnant blog

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

The Fortress — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:46:45 GMT

She did agree to take all four of my kids though when they turn 13 and generously pay for college. Right Fort? :applaud: Do you have something to blackmail me with that I don't know about? You can't possibly be worried about your times!!! Worry about them a year from now, if you must. But, unless you've been lying all this time, I thought you just had a baby. Kudos for even swimming in a meet. :bow:

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Chris Stevenson — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:35:46 GMT

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Karen Duggan — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:28:35 GMT

This weekend at our Pac Champs I was truly feeling sorry for myself as I sucked at the 400 IM on Friday. I entered too fast, and I as I was at least 8 seconds behind at the fly, I gave up. I just didn't care. After that horrendous race I tried to remind myself that the baby is only 14 weeks. I had a C-Section. Yadda yadda yadda. I am pretty much a "no excuses" person when it comes to me. I basically don't give myself a break, even if I know I should. And I still need to lose 30LB. :shakeshead: So, to make myself feel better, I did what I thought was logical. I went back to the other 3 Pac Champs (PC) and Nationals (N) when I had had a baby just before. Kids were all born in Dec, Jan (2), and March. PC is always in April and Nationals in May. I'm only sharing this because after I looked at the comparisons I felt like I wanted to swim again (I really thought about never swimming again. Pathetic I know, but that's how completely frustrated I was.) (((I tried to post times here but they got all squished and made NO SENSE. I'll fool with it later. Out of time for now)))) *Patrick was born 3/00 and in December of that year I was diagnosed with Meningiitis. Didn't swim for a long time. ** Had to scratch to catch airplane home. Again, I only provide this as information. I am by no means "happy" about these times, but I think it's interesting that they are comparable (given all of life's twists and turns). I hope someone can look at this one day and it's helpful for them.

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Karen Duggan — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:04:25 GMT

Fort knows. She figured it out. She should be a detective! Again, it's NOT Fort photo shop or not. :agree: She did agree to take all four of my kids though when they turn 13 and generously pay for college. Right Fort? :applaud:

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Former Member — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:12:01 GMT

(And do I look pregnant? That avatar pic was taken like 5 days ago. Ever heard of photoshop, Fort? Everyone knows of your computer prowess. :rofl: :bolt:

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

The Fortress — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:07:59 GMT

Transgender doesn't count!!! It's a girl. She's going to Nationals. That's all in the way of hints. I completely debunked this myth on the Women's Locker Room thread!!! Unlike you, Karen, I am completely happy stopping at 3! 3 almost killed and is killing me. How can you do 4?!?! In fact, I wouldn't mind adopting out the teenagers. So if you feel the need for even more kids ... I think (S)he-Man has publicly stated that she has no desire to bring forth little (h)es and (s)hes into the world. So it's up to Geek to carry on. Now, stop making me paranoid or I'll be getting phantom morning sickness and running out for pregnancy tests. (And do I look pregnant? That avatar pic was taken like 5 days ago. And I just leaped over a 10 foot fence last night. Uh, the correct answer is "no.") God, I already feel the need for a nap just reading this ...

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Karen Duggan — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:50:38 GMT

Transgender doesn't count!!! It's a girl. She's going to Nationals. That's all in the way of hints.

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

aquageek — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:00:50 GMT

Physiologically, it can't be Stud. There was a pregnant dude on Oprah the other day and Stud has admitted to peeing sitting down. I'd say it's him, with odds at 3-2.

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Karen Duggan — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:59:11 GMT

Physiologically, it can't be Stud.

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

aquageek — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:38:42 GMT

My money is on Stud or She-man, can't decide. Maybe Fort also.

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Karen Duggan — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:16:44 GMT

:bump: Someone is pregnant, and it isn't me! :notworthy: I'm hoping to talk her into perpetuating the blog. Sshhh, it's a secret... :banana: That's the banana taunting you to try and figure out who it is.

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Karen Duggan — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:48:58 GMT

Congratulations. It sounds like you're doing great :) I definitely do not miss that "compacted-kicking me-in the ribs-feeling"! I mentioned that I had heart concerns during my pregnancy and they did an echocardiogram... I just met with my doctor a few weeks ago (I had pink eye!) and she told me that the report was totally fine. Wacky things happen when we're pregnant, as you're experiencing. Swimming, I think, has way more benefits than people realize. Twins, wow! I have absolutely no advice on that one. Although friends tease us that we have Irish twins because two of my kids are barely a year apart! Both in diapers, etc. It's one of those situations where you "just do". Someone said to me the other day, "You work full time AND have four kids, and you're out with them all? How do you do it?" My response was, "I don't know. I just do. It's normal." Not that it's easy, or really "normal", but it is a lot of fun most of the time. I wouldn't trade it for anything. The sleeplessness, etc. is only temporary... Anyway, please keep updating here, or start your own blog. That was my goal in starting this. I was hoping we could all help each other out. Again, congratulations!

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Former Member — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:24:10 GMT

HOWDY KAREN! CONGRATULATIONS ON A great pregnancy while swimming and the delightful news of your son's birth!! For some reason, the March/April issue of USMS published your blog site which I found very helpful. I wish I had found it sooner. In any event, the historical info is helpful. Still haven't found an ob-gyn either (someone else had this question) that is a swimmer...slightly vexing.... So I was swimming while pregnant with twins, but recently got reduced to FLOATING ONLY..... Background.... However, I ended up in the hospital twice in the last 3 weeks. All seems to be on even keel now. Basically, blood pressure and wacky headaches had my docs really concerned. Ended up finally at Columbia Presybeterian for 2.5 days. So they are watching me very very closely. So all my swimming came to a halt after Feb 24. I felt fine that day and had been swimming only 50 lengths (just freestyle) almost everyday for 5 weeks at a snail's pace, never getting pulse above 110 and drinking good amounts of water every 10 lengths. My docs were fine with that. Prior to that I was swimming about 80 or 90 lengths of various strokes and kicks... The next morning (Feb 25), everything went haywire with bps around 155/110s consistantly over an hour. So that was the start of tons of tests/diagnostics and two trips to the hospital....twins are fine and growing...It is just me that seems problematic at this point...The docs theorize that I may have had a propensity to high blood pressure for years, but it never was detected because I was always running/swimming almost every day for +5 years and kept it naturally in check (coupled with really decent eating habits)....Only laid off running the last 7 months...and then gradually reducing the swimming too.... Who knows really?? Imagine if I wasn't in such solid shape...? ....Just this past Wednesday, I got clearance to be able to go to the pool, but just FLOAT. NO swimming. At least, I will be able to get some relief from the twins sticking me in the ribs by being bouyant. Well, I'm at week 27 and obliged to work from home on the couch. So I am listening close to my docs to maximize the time of the twins in utero. Guess, I'll have a longer hill back to swimming decently than anticipated. HOPE others see this blog and keep the dialogues and sharing of tips going....I'll need them for the recovery too.... Particularily interested in how to fit in swimming with multiples and their care. Thanks so ever much! Diana

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Karen Duggan — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 01:41:48 GMT

I swam the whole week which I haven't done in years! As I said last Friday was 2,000m Monday was 2,500m Tuesday was 3,000m Wednesday was 3,000m Thursday was 2,500m (a lot of specialty in that workout) Friday was 3,000m. I feel some sort of accomplishment, however the scale hasn't moved an inch. That's kind of depressing! On that Th workout we did a broken 200 stroke (10 @ each 50). I did ***. My first 50 felt pretty good and I went :50 (from a push), however the next 50s were :54, :55, and :55! I willed myself through the last 2 because I REALLY wanted to stop. I just told myself to count my strokes (I usually take 25, and I did 28 on both laps- yup, I was hurtin'!!!) At least I now have a baseline for how much work I need to do... Anyway, I thought it would be fun to have a pregnant blog, and maybe it will help, or inspire, other Masters in the future. However, I am no longer pregnant so I will end this blog. I will check it occasionally, although, I'm not one for really posting my workouts- I usually write them down in my little book. Thanks to everyone for all of the well wishes and your support. And Finnian, at 3 weeks and 1 day, continues to do very well :angel:

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Karen Duggan — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:39:03 GMT

Ugh, stretchmarks. Thankfully, most of them have gone "invisible", however, there's enough for a badge of honor! Last Friday I got the all clear to swim. My appt was at 10:40 (and at 2 weeks I was 22 pounds lighter!) and I made the noon practice. It's LCM right now because of the Aquabear meet coming up. I did 2,000m back in my own lane again (notice how I claim ownership?!). I was last by a mile but it was great to move more freely. And everybody was really supportive. Swam 2,500m on Monday, and today I swam 3,000m. I about died, well my arms did (I'm so out of shape I can't swim fast enough to breathe heavy!) during the 4 x 500 pull. I did the first one, and the second one I did 400, and on 3-4 I switched to the optional 200 broken (10 @ each 50 back) with a 200pull. My 50's back were about :50s. So SLOOOOOOW. But I made it! Baby steps... PS I swam at 10:30 this AM and when I got out it was 39 degrees. There is snow on Mt. Diablo down to about 2000feet. Right now it's 38 degrees at 12:45 and it's raining. We're hoping for snow here at sea level!!!

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

MegSmath — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:19:15 GMT

Congratulations to all the Duggans! What a little cutie he is! And Karen, the photos of your belly were truly astounding! We will have to compare stretch marks sometime! Meg P.S. Love the name!

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Former Member — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:28:14 GMT

Cute, cute, cute!!!

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Former Member — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:18:36 GMT

A great set of pictures congats again.

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Karen Duggan — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:01:37 GMT

Thanks for the tips everybody. My husband and I ventured into new territory with Snapfish. If you would like to see photos of my large belly (42cm at 38 weeks!) and the adorable, lovable Finnian (now 12 days old) you can go to: www.snapfish.com and then type in the following address and password: 2Finnian@comcast.net and the password is: swimmers (guess who we were thinking of with that password!) Enjoy :)

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Muppet — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 01:17:55 GMT

And for my second trick, I will try to upload some pictures... Second trick didn't work because it says the pictures can only be 97.7 KB and all of the pictures are over 200 KB. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Congrats, Karen! As for the pictures, if you can open them in an image program like PhotoShop, you should be able to shrink the pics down until they meet the requirements - or of course post them to Snapfish or Flikr or something like that! :fish2:

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

aquaFeisty — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:30:28 GMT

Congratulations, Karen! Welcome Finnian Jack!

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

FindingMyInnerFish — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 05:53:45 GMT

Congratulations, Karen--and Finnian! Sounds like Finnian's a good sized guy already! Good health and happiness to all!

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Former Member — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:51:06 GMT

And for my second trick, I will try to upload some pictures... Second trick didn't work because it says the pictures can only be 97.7 KB and all of the pictures are over 200 KB. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Unanimous Request (I'm pretty sure). Webmasters, please make an exceptional exception for Karen and allow pix > 200Kb. Must be a big baby, Karen (it's been over 30+ years since I've had to think "baby in lbs and inches"), but I've seen adults at 're all elated you're back at the keyboard.

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Karen Duggan — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 07:58:11 GMT

I put this on the "Name A Baby" thread... Finnian Jack was born on January 4th. He was 9 pounds, 13 ounces and 19.5 inches long. He is a very mellow baby and only cries when you change him or he's hungry. And he'll sleep 4-5 hours at a stretch :angel: Gotta love it! And for my second trick, I will try to upload some pictures... Second trick didn't work because it says the pictures can only be 97.7 KB and all of the pictures are over 200 KB. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

RE: Karen's pregnant blog

Former Member — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:52:34 GMT

Congratulations and ............. wasn't it Finian who found a pot of gold at the end of his rainbow? Life, love, health and happiness to the family.:canada: --- :wine:........... Sorry. Has to be ........:drink: