Giana Turns the BIG 1 Year Old!

Giana turns the BIG 1 year old!

Before we get into it… Melissa and I want to take this time to thank each and every one of you for taking this journey with us. You’ve seen our progress from the baby shower to Giana’s first birthday – and in the span of 1 year, there was so much to enjoy. We could never thank you enough for walking this walk and for being so interested in our baby’s life. Giana is our world and there has been nothing better than sharing our world with such loving family and friends.

As first time parent’s we knew absolutely nothing of what to expect. Sure we were told, but when it comes down to it there are no words to describe the depth of parenthood. You have just got to be there. I suppose that’s why the blog was such a powerful tool for us. Through our photos you all saw Giana develop into this little person. From the good times, to the frustrating times, the scary times, and the loving times, Giana has captured our life in a way so unimaginable. Here's Giana in her month of December.


Giana

The Big Girl!












Giana

Hey... Do ya mind?!
















Giana

Splish Splash I am takin' a bath!












Giana

Loves the water!












Tio Ronnie and Giana

Closer than peanut butter and jelly.












Dad, Giana, and Mom

Blowing out her first birthday candle.












Giana and Friends

Gathering around the birthday girl.












The Mothers

(Nancy and Ian - Melissa and Giana - Ghana and Osaze)

These ladies were all pregnant during our baby shower last year. Here they are with their bundles of joy! Same place, same channel.







Mommy, Giana and Daddy

Cutting the Cake!












Giana

Waiting for Cake!












Giana

Tasting the Cake!












Giana

Wanting more Cake!












Giana

Partying at home for her birthday - again!












Giana

Hanging with her neighborhood buddies.












Giana

Playing in the house.












Giana

Having a wonderful birthday.
















Giana

Getting ready for more birthday cake.












Giana

Eyeing the cake.












Giana

Eating the sweet stuff.












Mom and Giana

Loving each other!












Giana and Antonio

Catch and Kiss???












Giana

Who the heck is this guy?












Giana

What's wit the funny hat?












Giana

Will I get presents now?!












Grandma Alex, Giana, and Grandma Ivette

Playing with Christmas toys.











Giana

Loving her Elmo cell phone.












Giana and Grandma Alex

Robbing Grandma of her jewels.












Grandma Alex

Opening her gifts from Giana and family.












Mommy and Giana

The girls on Christmas day.












Grandpa George

Getting his Christmas gift from Giana.












Grandpa George and Giana

Spending time on Christmas.












Tio Ronnie and Giana

Unwrapping the gifts on her 2nd Christmas.












Giana and Daddy

Tearing the gifts.












Giana

The day after!












Mommy and Giana

In the winter gear.












Giana

Modeling her knitted hat and sweater.

(Courtesy of Laura Brown)

See me if you are interested in knitted items. Laura does fantastic work!











Giana

Practicing her Baby Gap pose.












Mommy and Giana

Looking good in her taxi-cab hat.












Giana and Dad

Going for an early morning ride.












Giana

Taking a holiday shot.
















Giana

Posing for the holidays.
















The Velez Family

Our little family.

















Let's take a trip down memory lane!

See Giana throughout the months!

So what did we learn over the year.................

There is no greater love than that of having a child. Though we try to express it in detail, it often becomes difficult because in all reality there is never anything enough to express this love. All I can say is that the love we give to our daughter must be an example of the love God gives us... and for that ability we ought to thank God! He has opened our eyes to the beauty and meaning of life and has taught us that nothing else is more important. With that, I say to love your family, love your God, and love those that are dear to your life. Love them the best you can for Love is the essence of life.

May God always keep you blessed and in good harmony with your loved ones.

God Bless you always!

Matt, Melissa, and Giana

Giana at 11 Months!

Giana at 11 Months!

Be prepared… there are a lot of photos in this month’s blog (but who’s complaining… right?). Last month the Velez family did some extracurricular activities that produced very special moments for us. For one… Giana spent her first Halloween dressed as a Baby Ladybug. Mommy was dressed as Momma Ladybug and daddy was dressed as a Beetle. Well… not exactly, but Daddy was dressed as a Beatle (John Lennon). Then we spent a wonderful weekend with our friends Jim and Ivette McFarland at their lake house in the Adirondacks. As you will see, Giana was having a blast having her first taste at autumn. Enjoy!

Giana

The little ladybug having a blast at Max's 1st Birthday / Halloween Party.









Mommy, Giana, Max's Uncle, and Max

Watching the magic show at Max's Birthday Party. Max dressed-up as a puppy.










Mommy and Giana

Momma and baby bug.
















Mommy and Giana

The Ladybugs.











Daddy (John Lennon)

The Beatle.










Daddy and Giana

Who the heck is this freakin' dude?










Mommy, Giana, and Daddy

A Bug Life.










Daddy and Giana

Daddy's back to normal.











Mommy with Neighborhood Moms

Giana trick-or-treating with the fellas - Yoda, Tigger, a Monkey, and a Cow (all baby boys).










Giana

Loving her weekend residence.










Giana

Smiling for the camera.










Giana

Spin the bottle.










Mommy and Giana

A BIG smile for the camera.










Daddy and Giana

Cozing for the camera.










Ivette, Sheila, Giana, and Mommy

A girls night in.










Giana and Ivette

Giana having a cuddle with Ivette.










Sheila and Giana

Loving all the attention.










Giana and Jim

Giana's other man.










Tim and Giana

Maxing and relaxing with Tim.










Daddy, Giana, and Jim

Giana picking Jim's boogers.










Giana

Swinging outdoors.
















Giana

Loving the autumn breeze.










Mommy and Giana

Mommy pushing Giana around - in a good way.










Daddy, Mommy, and Giana

In the woods.
















Ivette and Giana

Giana being silly as always.
















The McFarlands and Giana

Enjoying each other's company.
















Daddy and Giana

Daddy's kind of swing.










Daddy and Giana

Loving his girl.










Mommy and Giana

Having a moment.










Mommy and Giana

Smiling all day.










Ivette, Melissa, and Giana

It's a girl thing.










Mommy and Giana

Enjoying the view.










Mommy and Giana

My only girls.










Mommy and Giana

Inseperable.










Daddy and Giana

Laughing it up with Pop.










Daddy and Giana

Everything I love.










Ivette, Giana, and Mommy

Keeping warm in the brisk breeze.










Ivette, Giana, and Jim

Giana with our wonderful hosts.

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

Life is that good! Life is good when you can step away from your daily routine and explore the world through family, friends, and new surroundings. When we have an opportunity to show Giana a new thing, we try to take advantage of it. Whether it be playing dress-up or exploring the woods, we see how much Giana loves the change. It makes us happy to take her out of her routine, so that she can explore more than the four walls of her home. She needs the change… we all do, don’t we? When we see the excitement shine in those beautiful eyes, there is nothing more important. Not work, not bills, not finances, not issues, not anything. The world stops solely for her. In Giana we see that she is so full of life and we feel soooooooooooooooooooo blessed every time she smiles. She’s lively, funny, and not to mention - an attention freak. What’s there not to love? Anyway, we learned that it is important to expose Giana to other things, so if you have not been a trip with your family, try to make time for it. You’ll see the change in you and the change in your family. Try to make it routine!

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

(Don’t kick me butt - BUT next month will be our last blog entry. Giana will be hitting the big One and we feel that this blog has made a huge point to our family and friends - we love our daughter! Can you believe it?)

Matt, Melissa, and Giana