Giana at 10 Months!

Giana at 10 Months!

Well gang… only 2 months left before Giana hits the big 1 year. I know it sounds cliche when they say "time flies", but when you become a parent... time flies. Time flies so fast that you become afraid of your child growing up too fast. It's as if we want the silly little things she does to last forever. But with every passing day there's something new changing in her life. Whether it be her hair growing longer or her teeth poking out further, Giana's development continues to move along these months faster than we ever could have imagined. What a trip!

Giana

In "her" office.











Grandma Alex and Giana

Pulling on Grandma's fine jewelry.
















Giana

Standing tall.











Grandma Alex, Giana, and Gina

Taking a coffee break at the office.











Dad and Giana

That's Daddy's little girl for sure.











Mommy and Giana

And that's definitely Mommy's little girl.











Giana, Titi Nancy, and Ian

Can't interrupt Sesame Street.











Giana and Doogie

Doogie putting on a puppet show.











Ian and Giana

Playing with Ian's toys











Giana and Ian

Hanging with her buddy Ian.











Giana, Titi Jessica, and Ian

Titi giving the bear hug... Ughhh!











Giana and Pops

My prized possesion.











The Velez's

So Happy To-getherrrrrrrrrrrrrr...











Giana

So what?











Grandpa George and Giana

I know... I look like my Grandpa too.











Giana

Watching her Noggin'.

So what did we learn this month.................

We've been seeing Giana perfecting her skills. She's been speaking more and more each day and she's starting to understand certain words – even Spanish words. She certainly knows her Mommy and Daddy - her response's are Ma Ma Ma Ma and Da Da Da Da! She also knows how to give up her pacifier. In Spanish we call it "BoBo". When you say, "Giana..., gimme Bobo", she spits out her pacifier and waits for you to laugh at her. She's definitely an attention freak. She knows how to be cute and waits for everyone to applaud her. Boy… are we in trouble!

On another note, Melissa and I are starting to reflect back to the day we brought her home. We are finding it hard to believe that we brought home this defenseless little being earlier this year and today she's a little person with her own personality. It's absolutely unbelievable. Truth is, this experience has brought us closer to God. As we watch Giana grow and develop, the mysteries of God and his love for us grows clearer every day. The relationship we have with Giana is very much like the relationship He has with us. We want the best for her, He wants the best for us – and so on and so on. So when you feel lost and frustrated about things in your life, remember that God is by your side and he will guide and protect you from your fears – just keep the faith. Be well.

Til next month..............

Matt, Melissa and Giana

Giana at 9 Months!

Giana at 9 Months!

Boy… are we late!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry 'bout that... but we've been on the run these days - and with Giana under our wing, time seems to go way too fast. Well the update is.... Giana is becoming more and more active. She's always finding time to occupy all of our time. Though she isn't walking yet, she's demanding our attention in every possible way. From the teeth coming in, to the "look-what-I-can-do" moments, Giana is surely keeping us busy. I guess this is what we signed up for right? But man are we pooped! This is starting to feel like boot camp for first-time parents - but hey it's all worth it right?

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Giana

Sporting a Crips bandana.












Giana

Ok... can you take this thing off me now?












Grandma Alex and Giana

Riding Grandama...
Yeehawwwww Grandmawwwww!












Giana and Grandma Alex

Grandma... Grandma are you Okay?!!!












Grandma Ivette and Giana

Loving anything that dangles.












Giana

Being entertained as always.












Giana and Tio Ronnie

Awwwwwww.... Giana loves her Tio.












Giana

The next Sheila E.












Giana

The next Alicia Keys.












Giana

Loves her swing at home.












Giana

Loves her swing at the park.

Whattaya waitin' for...? Push!










Giana

At Water Taxi Beach in L.I.C., NY.












Giana and Max

Getting the last bit of beach weather before the Fall.











Matt, Giana, Max and Claude

Daddy Day Care!












Giana

Heyyyyyyyyyyy!












Katia and Giana

You know Giana..., always giving out raspberries.












Giana and Pop

Getting ready for some mouthwatering "Smothered Steak" in North Carolina.











Giana

Ahhhh... Just like Smothered Steak!












Giana

Hey put down that camera!












Giana

Okay just one picture.

So what did we learn this month.................

Where do we start? Well... parenting is getting harder, but with hard work comes reward. This month we were faced to learn something about pain. We learned that we get overly "Parent-ish" when Giana hurts herself or feels pain - like when she goes through a teething moment. It breaks our heart every time, but we see that pain is an unfortunate necessary evil. For instance, we flew down to North Carolina last month and it was Giana's first plane flight. Ears popping, tears falling, screams screeching, and passengers cursing us out to themselves. Though I'm probably making it sound worse than it was, we simply wanted Giana to feel safe and comfortable… but it was hard. We landed in NC safely, but throughout our stay, Giana seemed homesick due to her new surroundings. To add, her teething led on to an ear ache that made her miserable. Talk about Craaankyyyyyy!!! Though we hated every moment seeing her go through the motions, we loved it when she's kicked the pain and returned to normal.

I believe going through these moments drew us closer to Giana, where we really got to experience what our parents felt when we broke a leg or got sick. True we always want to keep her safe, but it is inevitable... things will happen. But as things do happen, the love we feel pours out in such abundance that we learn to appreciate her more each time. I know this is just the beginning and she needs to explore more every day, but man it’s getting scary. Just wait until she starts walking… Ughhhhhhh!

Til next month..............

Matt, Melissa and Giana