Inked: Part 1

"Inked" is a five-part story about my journey bringing my son, Rowan, into the world.
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On Saturday afternoon, I went to get my tattoo.

I actually already had a tattoo, prior to my newest piece I received on Saturday. It was, what I thought, a rebellious thing to do when I was 18 years old. I made the effort to prove that I wasn't everyone's favorite good-girl. I wasn't just a good-student, never-did-anything-wrong, teacher's-pet kinda girl. I could be bad if I wanted to! But, upon showing my mother my tattoo, she laughed and called it "cute." Apparently, the dime-sized blue star on the top of my foot wasn't exactly hardcore.

9 years later and almost a decade of life lived since the falsely rebellious incident, I decided that I wanted to get another tattoo. But, this one was different. It had meaning, memories and experience behind it.

Bringing Rowan into the world was no easy task for me. My friend Lisa actually said that I had the most difficult pregnancy ever witnessed.

My journey was a battle of epic proportion.
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The first half of my pregnancy was pretty textbook. Morning sickness, fatigue, weight gain... the usual. Nothing out of the ordinary except a very small cyst on my right ovary that my doctor spotted during my first ultrasound. It was only about 8mm in size. It's not uncommon for women to have small ovarian cysts right after they become pregnant, due to the increased hormones that the body produces during that time.

Jump to 20 weeks, to our full-anatomy ultrasound. We were completely over the moon, we found out we were having a boy. A surprise, but not really. I think we both knew in our hearts that we would have a little boy. He was amazing on that little screen, growing perfectly and completely healthy. We saw his tiny hands, feet, spine and heartbeat. The ultrasound tech was frustrated because he wouldn't stop moving. It was overwhelmingly joyful. After the ultrasound, we went to see my doctor for the routine checkup.

She came in with a broad smile. "Good news, your baby boy is perfect! He looks great." Erik and I smiled. We beamed with excitement. It was all becoming real. We started imagining his little nose. His first pair of ski boots. His favorite bedtime stories.

Her smile faded. "Bad news, that cyst is now the size of a baseball." Erik and I didn't smile. We became very scared, very fast. This could NOT be real. I started imagining needles. Tubes. Monitors. Tests. Chemotherapy.

"This is serious, Nish. It's big, and we don't know what it is. It's now more dangerous to leave it than try to take it out. We need to get it out, and fast."

I met with a cancer surgeon. I was booked for emergency surgery on July 1st, our third wedding anniversary.

The plan was to go in with a scope... only three small incisions on my belly, minimally invasive, very low risk to the baby and to me. I was still scared. They wheeled me into the operating room and I was already somewhat drugged with a sedative to keep me calm. Both my OB and the surgeon were there, and they were reassuring women to see. I laid there on the cold table, terrified. The tears started to fall. I felt really cold. The anesthesiologist brought me a warm blanket. The oxygen mask was placed on my face. Both women entrusted to care for me & my unborn baby came to both sides of the table. They each grabbed a hand & squeezed. I saw their eyes crinkle from their reassuring & sympathetic smiles, which I couldn't see behind their masks. "We're going to take care of you & your little boy. We promise."

I nodded. I cried. I fell asleep.

The original plan failed. My ovary had lodged itself underneath my uterus, so they couldn't get to it safely with only the scope. So, they cut me open. Almost 8 inches vertically, right through my belly button. The surgeon had to reach in and move the baby over with her hand in order to get to the ovary. Close to the end of the removal, the cyst burst. They had to get all of it out, and quickly... they weren't sure if it was cancer or not yet, so there was a risk of having cancer cells all over my abdomen.

They sewed me up and wheeled me to recovery. The only thing I remember from the recovery room was both women on each side of my bed, holding my hands again. Dr. McClusky, the oncology surgeon, was smiling. Dr. Dion, my OB, leaned in close and said "It's not cancer. Your baby boy is doing beautifully."

I smiled. I cried. I fell asleep.

Recovery was awful. I had major pain complications. Even morphine didn't work. I was in the hospital for 5 days and I was at home for 5 weeks. For a normal, healthy woman, recovery time from this surgery is about 4-5 days. However, I was 20 weeks pregnant; all of my body's resources were being used to take care of the baby. So, my recovery was long, painful, and full of narcotics that I didn't want to take.

I pressed on, though I did it fairly drugged. I had a lot of help. My mom came to Portland from Texas for a week. She cooked and cleaned while I laid on the couch and watched the Tour de France. We had friends bring meals and movies. We were very loved through the whole healing process and we knew we had an army of people to call if we ever needed it.

The Lord sustained us. We were blessed by His people.

A different adventure.

It rains in Portland, Oregon. It rains a lot. It doesn't necessarily stop me from going anywhere and doing anything, but it's hard to go hike, walk, bike with a 3 month old in the rain. Sometimes we try to find other things to do, even though they might be indoors.

I've decided that I'm embarking on a different kind of adventure this weekend. I am going to TRY to be crafty. Keyword being "try" in that sentence. I am not a craft, DIY-type person. At all. Not even a little. I wish that I were, I could make all kinds of cute stuff if I had any ounce of craftiness in me. The only kind of craftiness I have is the kind that pulls EPIC pranks on people when they least expect it.

This weekend, I am putting forth an effort to do something myself and make something with my own hands. 

I'm going to make artwork for our office. And by "make artwork," I mean that I'll be pulling fabric across canvas frames. That can't be too hard, right? RIGHT?! So I'll be heading to a fabric store on the east side of town to pick out 4 different fabric patterns to make a (hopefully) cool collage of different squares. I'm pretty excited, actually! 

Canvas frames? Check. Fabric? Check. Staple gun? Check. Once I have all of those things in order, I'll be ready. And hopefully I won't go stapling my hand to the wood. Wish me luck! I'll be sure to post before and after pictures when I'm finished!

Are you crafty? How did you learn?

Amazing Giveaway at Gussy!

If you love handmade bags and accessories, no doubt you're probably following Gussy on Twitter and you read her blog. If not, you definitely need to! 

Well, Gussy has teamed up with Erin at The Vintage Pearl and she is having an amazing giveaway on her blog! You can enter to win a $50 credit to spend at TVP.

Not only that, but you can enter to win $25 shop credit for Gussy's store at the Home with the Boys blog! AHH! Gussy Galore!

Wisdom Wednesday: Grab a Friend!

There are a lot of people in history who made it a point to experience creation on their own. Henry David Thoreau, of course, comes to mind. However, I'm of the belief that the outdoors are best experienced with others if you're new to this kind of lifestyle.

If you're making the effort to get outside more, here are a few simple tips that can help you get on your way with your friends.

Schedule a weekly walk/run/hike with someone.

• Scheduling something weekly will help keep your efforts regular. The more you go, the easier it gets!
• Scheduling with someone will help keep you accountable during those weeks you'd rather just sit on the couch. 

If you're trying a new outdoor sport, go with someone BETTER than you.

• This is important on several levels. The first being safety. Going with someone who has more skill and experience means they have learned the ropes of the sport, they know what risks & dangers to look for, and they'll be able to lead you safely through the trails/rapids/runs.
• Someone with more skill will be able to give you pointers, and help you learn faster than you would on your own!
• It's always fun to watch someone do something they love, and do it well. 

Try to go someplace new every trip.

• You may have a favorite loop you like to walk, or a favorite trail you enjoy hiking. But make the effort to try someplace new. The more you broaden your base of experience, the more you'll be able to lead others in the future!
• Try to pick places that have a destination. If you're going on a hike, try to hike up to a point of interest, a mountain lake, a viewpoint, or a historical spot. This gives added motivation to go, and will give you a larger list of places to bring visitors when they come to your hometown.
• Always bring your camera! You never know what you might find on a new adventure. 

Gear Review - Olympus Stylus 1030 SW

The 1030 SW is Olympus' first effort at creating a well-manufactured, quality picture camera that is completely waterproof. It has done the job, albeit lacking in photo quality from time to time. However, if you're looking for a sturdy camera that can keep up with an active lifestyle, look no further. This little thing is a beast. 

This is our current point-and-shoot camera. We've had her for almost 2 years now and I can say, without hesitation, that she has taken a beating! She's taken rides in the front of my husband's lifejacket, in the pockets of his ski pants, and has lived through more crashes and drops than I can count. Because of the tough exterior, I would HIGHLY recommend this camera if you have kids! You can hand this camera to your children for some creative picture-taking projects without worrying about dropping, scraping or even flushing. However, be aware that it absolutely does NOT float.

Olympus has since come out with a more recent 12 megapixel version of this camera, and I'd be interested to give it a shot. The one thing that this camera does lack is clear, crisp pictures, every time. Some of ours have turned fuzzy, even in good light, with flash, standing still with no action. I imagine that Canon's new waterproof camera has one-upped Olympus in that category. The 1030 SW also doesn't do great in low-light conditions.

However, if you are looking for a truly waterproof, shockproof and crushproof camera, the reviews are overwhelming. This sturdy little camera is the one to beat when it comes to taking abuse! Here are a few photos taken with ours:

a reset button.

I've never really been a morning person. However, on this particular morning, I found myself wide awake in bed at 6:30am. On any other day, I would have stayed in bed, fighting & grumbling at the fact that I was awake so early. But today, I felt like I should get up. I'm not sure why, but I felt compelled to get out of bed early this morning.

I was up early enough to watch the sky turn from navy, to grey, to baby blue. I was up early enough to make the bed, wash a round of bottles, eat breakfast, make coffee, read my Bible and write in my journal. All of this happened before 7:45... and on a Monday morning, even!

My husband has always been a morning person. He's most productive between the hours of 7:00am and noon. This morning, I got a clear glimpse into why he loves the mornings. I realized I have a lot to learn from him.

Waking up early and spending time getting ready for my day acted like a reset button to me. I've always been a fan of Mondays, mostly because I love a fresh start to my routines. Mondays are like a clean slate, or a blank page upon which I can start my story for the week. What will I choose to fill my pages with this week? This morning, I decided that I'm going to fill it with gratitude & thankfulness. Blessings upon blessings have been poured out on me, it's only appropriate to respond with gratefulness.

That's my goal for the week:  Start my day right. Early. On the right foot. With thanks, gratitude & open hands.

How are you going to fill your pages this week?

sunday outing.

Since Erik got to go out on his own adventure yesterday, I had a couple ideas of things that we could go out and do together today. Sundays are usually our days together... we eat pancakes & drink coffee in the morning, watch Meet the Press on podcast, and do a couple of chores around the house before venturing out into the world.

Today, we started out by taking the pups to the dog park. We have two dogs, Shasta and Ranger. Shasta is a 4 year old Lab/Rottweiler mix, and Ranger is a 2 year old German Shorthaired Pointer. So, they need a bit of exercise. The weather today was UNREAL! Almost 60 degrees and sunny in Portland today, for the 4th day in a row. I think this town is confused & thinks it's May.

So, we strapped Rowan in the stroller and headed out:

I know. I have an adorable child. He's seriously the cutest kid I've ever seen. I'm not biased or anything, so that assessment is totally legit. Anyway, after the dogs were good and tired from running around like crazy, Erik asked what I wanted to do next. It didn't take me long to make that decision. 

One thing you'll learn about me is that I'm a horrible cook. Like, TERRIBLE. I can make a good batch of chili and a very select few dishes, but that's about it. However, I am a really, really good baker. I absolutely LOVE to bake. Just ask my husband and anyone else who's tried my peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, or my strawberry cake with lemonade frosting. So, all of that to say, I have an affinity for baked goods.

Which is why I decided to venture into the Northwest district in downtown for a little bit of this delicious action:

Ohhhh Saint Cupcake, how I love you. Your little morsels of tastiness are sometimes too much for my little taste buds. They just want to explode with joy.

Look at these delicious creations! Vanilla cupcakes with chocolate and vanilla buttercream.

They were almost too pretty to eat.

Almost.

I ate them.

Fast. 

So, that was our lovely Sunday outing today! Now we're off to church for the Sunday evening service before coming back for a quiet night in. 

How do you spend your Sundays?

the summit

Erik made it to the summit! Not only did he hike to the top of Mt. Hood (11,240 feet in elevation), he skied off the top! It's something that he's talked about doing since we moved to Oregon over 3 years ago. The weather was perfect for the climb, the snow & avalanche conditions were great, and both of the guys are really glad they went. Here are a couple more pictures from their adventure. If you see them, make sure to tell them "well done!" It's quite an accomplishment.

Evan hiking up:

View from the slope:

The Hogback:

Evan, just below the summit:

Erik, just below the summit:

He made it! Erik's view from the top of Mt. Hood:

proud of my man!

Today, Erik and his best friend Evan are climbing to the summit of Mt. Hood and skiing off the top! Have I mentioned that my husband is a complete and total STUD of a man?! Love that guy. Anyway, he's been sending pictures, and from the progression they've made, it sounds like they're almost to the summit!

After a 1:00am departure time from the house and a 3:00am start time at the mountain, this picture came through at about 8:00am. They had reached Illumination Rock, which is at 9,500 feet:

 

Then, at around 9:30am, this picture came through. This is the Hogback section of the climb, close to the summit. At this point, they are at 10,400 feet:

Erik said he would try to call from the summit, so I'm waiting for my phone call! If you are the praying type, your prayers for safety and a good descent would be really appreciated. It looks like they're having a blast, so I'm thankful that they were able to go on this adventure... an adventure they've been wanting to do for a long time. I'll post more pictures as they come through!

my valentine.

This is my lovely & adoring husband, Erik... 

without whom, I wouldn't be who I am today.

We have been through so much in the 6 years we've been together,
I'm looking forward to the countless years & adventures to come.

I love you, Happy Valentine's Day!

cleaning day.

There are some days when even an outdoors-type person needs to stay inside. There are some days where the house demands my attention. Today is one of those days... I'll be spending today inside, cleaning this place from top to bottom.

And this beast is my partner in crime. 

The Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal. When I say beast, I mean it. This thing picks up everything. We have two dogs in this house, so the dog hair gets out of control on my hardwoods and carpets. It's everywhere! After using this thing on my floors and couches, you'd never know we had pets. Not only does it pick up hair, the Absolute Animal picks up pet dander, which makes our house easier to visit for those folks who are allergic to dogs.

And I just spent too much time talking about a freaking vacuum. I'm Type A, could you tell?

One of my favorite things to do is sit and read a book with hot tea in my freshly-vacuumed & cleaned living room. Does anyone else love having a clean house?

Trip Review: Forest Park - Portland, OR

This past weekend, we got a little break from the rain in Portland. Let me assure you, this is a very rare occurrence! It rains a lot here. A LOT.

So, we decided to take Rowan out on his first hike!

I have heard about Forest Park since we moved to Portland, but have never hiked through it. We've always chosen to get out into the Gorge for hikes, to truly get away from the city. But, we didn't really want to go far (he has to eat every 4ish hours), and we didn't want a super-gnarls hike, either. We just wanted something that would get us outside in the trees and green for a few hours.

Forest Park is a public park right in the middle of the city, and it stretches for 8 miles and it's one of the country's largest urban forest reserves. It's the home to over 112 species of birds and 62 mammals, so it's teeming with life within its canopy. It's truly beautiful.

There's a long trail that runs 27 miles through the forest, called the Wildwood Trail. We obviously didn't want to hike the entirety of the trail this time (though it's a great training trail for the PCT!), so we decided to do the 3.6 mile loop through Hoyt Arboretum and past the Japanese Garden.

It was AWESOME. It's hard to believe that a forest so dense and secluded can exist in the heart of the city. The trails were well-maintained (though a bit muddy, due to the season), there wasn't a lot of people (it was Super Bowl Sunday), and there weren't too many dogs on the trail either (excluding our two pups). The total elevation climb didn't quite top 400 feet, so it was a really easy hike and great for beginners.

We used our Bob Revolution stroller during the hike, without the car seat. It was great! Rowan loved being able to look around at everything, and he even took a decent nap in the middle of our trip! It did really well on the trail and the impact on Rowan from rocks & bumps was minimal. He slept through almost everything!

Overall, I highly suggest this hike if you're in the Portland area. It's a great way to spend a few hours outside in the trees & green!

 

i heart oregon.

I have one of these stickers on my car.

Why? Oh, let me count the ways...

 

 

welcome

Do you ever wish you lived a lifestyle that actually fits that Patagonia fleece you own? Have you ever dreamed that you could be more outdoorsy & adventurous? Have you ever yearned to connect more deeply with creation and get your kids to play outside?

Welcome to The Outdoor Wife. This is a place for women to learn, converse, trade ideas and ask questions about living an outdoor lifestyle.

My name is Nish and I'm the aforementioned Outdoor Wife.  I live in Portland, Oregon with my husband Erik, our son Rowan, and our two dogs Shasta and Ranger. Erik runs a whitewater rafting company called Orange Torpedo Trips, so the outdoor lifestyle runs pretty deep in our little family. Needless to say, we spend a lot of time on the river.

Here in Portland, outdoor living comes second nature to most of the residents. But you don't need to live in places like Oregon, Colorado, Idaho or Montana in order to enjoy the outdoors and start venturing out your front door! That's what this blog is for. I hope you find the posts here to be helpful and encouraging to you as you make the effort to step outside and live a life full of adventure.

You'll find lots of things here:

• Trip Reviews
• Product Reviews
• Helpful Ideas
• Pictures
• Personal Stories
• Recommendations
• Interviews
• Giveaways 

It's my hope that you'll find this place to be entertaining, fun, and full of helpful information that can assist you in getting outside. Whether you're single, married, with or without kids, there's something here for everyone! And of course, if you have anything that you'd like to contribute, please let me know.

Welcome. I'm excited to start adventuring with you.