Spencer Family Season Greetings
Vol. 2 Issue 1.
Andy, Melissa & Skylah Spencer
13034 Wimberly Square Unit 22
San Diego, CA 92128
Greetings from Southern California!
As I write this it is rainy lightly, just enough to wet the sidewalk and cool things down. Rain here in San Diego is so rare that when it does happen, we revel in the change and start pulling out our sweaters and jackets and other winter wear. Prior to press time, it was a balmy 85 degrees and sunny with no sign of rain today.
Year in Review.. and What a Year it was!!!
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| Last Weekend Childless- February |
Andy and I had a life changing year
this year. By far the most eventful and joyful year we have experienced in our
11 years of marriage.
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| The Three of Us |
Many people have asked about
Skylah’s name as it is quite unusual.
Her name means “brilliance" or
"scholar” depending on which origin you use. After the crushing darkness of
years of unexplained infertility when we found this name it conveyed everything
we wanted in a name for our daughter. Her middle name Ann is homage to the
maternal line of woman who came before her, and it is also something that she
and I share with each other.
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| Peaceful Skylah |
Other Notable Events This Year
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| Grandpa Spencer and Skylah- March |
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| Grandma Spencer and Skylah- March |
Grandma and Grandpa Spencer came to
California to meet Skylah for the first time. After a brief stop in Arizona enroute to San Diego They were able to come and spend
a few days with us in late March. They were immensely helpful while they were here and we were glad that they were able to make the trip.
Skylah was given a name and blessing
by her Great Grandfather Gene Kirk in Vernal Utah on May 26. She was blessed in
her Grandpa Glenn Spencer’s ward with many relatives from both sides of the
family present making it a true family affair. Her dress was specially made for
her from my wedding dress, veil and headpiece which had been made by her
deceased Grandma Deborah Southam. It was a truly amazing dress worthy of such a
special occasion. While in Vernal, Skylah and I were able to visit numerous
relatives before we returned home to California.
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| Lots of Support and Love for Skylah- May |
In July Andy's sister and brother- in-
law LaDonna and Eric Christensen came to San Diego to celebrate their wedding
anniversary. While they were here we were able to visit with them and show them
some of the local sites included Silver Strand Beach.
 |
| Silver Strand State Beach- July |
Andy traveled for work to Michigan
and Chicago in May and to New Orleans in October. He was able to present
posters at both conferences. While in Chicago he toured a particle accelerator
and was able to make some useful professional connections.
In late October my sister Alicia
Wills came to visit from Anchorage Alaska. It was a good visit with her being
able to meet Skylah for the first time. We also took her to see some of the
local sites including the temple.
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| This is how Skylah travels |
Andy
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| Skylah, Aunt Alicia and Me- October |
Andy continues to have professional success
as a plasma physicist. He continues to be employed by LaJolla based FAR TECH as
a staff scientist. He has had success in his coding efforts and has presented
posters throughout this year. He has also co-authored a few professional papers.
In his spare time (ha ha) he has
been working on coding a few apps for Android. His latest effort is coding a choose-your-own adventure style app. He is very excited about it.
Melissa
 |
| Skylah at Baby Stories |
I currently have the best job in the
world. I am a stay at home Mom to Skylah. Being a stay and home mom has been
more fulfilling and awesome than I could have ever hoped for. After working
outside of the home all these years I was really nervous about making the
transition to being a stay at home mom.
 |
| Balboa Park- November |
I love being with Skylah all day. I love
watching her learn and grow. I love exposing her to new things and watching her
take it all in.
It is not always rainbows and glitter, more
often its diapers, feedings, and laundry, but it is satisfying work and I am
getting the hang of it.
I am deeply grateful that I have been able to
be present for every first. I have been there for her first smile, the first
time she giggled, her first word (mama) and the first time she crawled.
 |
| Halloween- October |
In addition to mommy duty I
teach Relief Society and I am a visiting teacher.I still volunteer with Survivors of Torture a local San Diego based
organization that helps people who have been victims of human trafficking or
torture albeit less often than I have in the past.
Skylah
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| Skylah- Birth- March |
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| Pumpkin Patch- October |
Has started pulling herself up to
stand and use the furniture to cruise. It seems it will be a short time until
she is walking. She wakes up with a smile
ready to go in the morning and she keeps it busy until she lays down to sleep
at night. It is hard to believe
we ever lived without her laughter and her smile.
 |
| Skylah 9 months- December |
Skylah’s favorite things are her
pacifier, her Sophie the Giraffe, and her Around we Go play table. She enjoys
crawling around the house, getting into all sorts of things and places she
shouldn’t, swinging in swings at the park, sleeping on mommy, chewing on
everything she gets her hands on, and going to the Library for Baby Stories and
Songs.
Her favorite part of the day is when Daddy
comes home and they can play together. She does not
like being away from Mommy, getting dressed or undressed, and going to bed.
Her favorite food is Pumpkin and Bananas
puree. She does not like Squash or Peas no matter what I mix them with. She
prefers the veggie and fruit mixed purees verses the ones that are just one
fruit. She also likes yogurt and Mangos.
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| Skylah- December |
We are working on cup training her and introducing crunchy stuff. So far we have had little success as she is still nursing and sees little point in using a cup or using her teeth to chew.
She currently weights 22lbs and
stands 24 ½ inches tall and she has two bottom teeth and at least two top teeth that we've been able to see with more expected to
arrive any day now judging by the way she drools and chews everything in sight.
She is a very healthy, happy, and beautiful little girl.
Conclusions and Wishes
This
year has been filled with new experiences. Becoming parents has been the greatest event of our lives. It is hard to believe that we have been entrusted with such a special spirit to raise as our own. Skylah is amazing. She is all the good parts of Andy and me
all rolled into one little ball of light and energy. It is hard to express how much we love her and how much she has changed our lives for the good. We are sad that we cannot spend the Holidays with family this year due to distance but we are excited to start forming family traditions of our own.
Here’s
hoping that 2015 is the best year yet to come! May the warmth of Our Savior’s love light your life during this Season
and always, is our sincere wish for you and yours.
Love,
Andy, Melissa & Skylah Spencer
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