EXCLUSIVE: Paolo Bediones enjoys fatherhood with daughter Avery
Paolo Bediones is definitely enjoying his new role as a father as he shared a photo of her daughter named Avery for the first time on Instagram.
The photo showed Avery enjoying her time at a playground.
Paolo simply captioned it, "Pic says it all ❤️" with a #firsttimedad
GMANetwork.com reached out to Paolo via direct message on Instagram to ask about the photo and his experience about fatherhood.
On his reply, the former Extra Challenge host just realized that it was his first time post a photo of his one-year-old daughter in public.
He related, "It's funny because I never realized it was my first time to post a picture of her publicly, because I usually share tons of pics of her [as most first time dads tend to do, I am sure] with family, close friends and associates.
"I guess I found the pic just so adorable, with her smile while under the slide.
"If you look closely it's like she is floating in air, so I couldn't help but share it.
"I havent really been that active on social media, so it was such a pleasant surprise that many people were happy for me."
Avery is Paolo and his fiancée Lara Morena's adopted daughter. The former actress has two other children from her previous relationship.
According to him, they did not have to think twice about welcoming Avery to their family. In fact, she seemed like an answer to the couple's long-time prayer.
Paolo said, "Avery was 6 months when she started staying with us and after a few weeks, sleeping between me and Lara, we just looked at each other, looked at the baby and without saying anything we knew.
"Lara and I always end our prayers asking God to bless our intentions: To be able to start our own family and to be a blessing to so many others.
"After so many years of trying and praying, we have been blessed with the opportunity to do both.
"The connection was instant and deciding to adopt her was just so natural.
"There were no long conversations or debates, we just smiled and nodded at each other as if to say 'Let's do this.'"
On being a father to Avery
As a first-time dad, Paolo confessed that he's loving every moment of it.
He related this by describing his typical day with Avery, "I love changing her diapers and teaching her how to put on her clothes after her shower.
"Then, we just just snuggle in bed when I am home from a long and tiring day at work.
"She is the reason I am not as much of a workaholic anymore because I cant wait to spend time with her.
"It is sheer joy when she sleeps on my chest and calls me 'Papa' and touches my face."
And like many parents nowadays, Paolo also said, "I've memorized the lyrics to Cocomelon and seen all the episodes of 44 Cats or 'meow meow' as she likes to call it as she hands me the remote.
"The real challenge is in not spoiling her and online shopping is not helping. Haha.
"But seriously, I pray we are able to raise her well so she grows up to be a compassionate, responsible and God fearing lady."
For the celebrity dad, Avery is like an intervention that made him realize that he has to take a pause and enjoy life.
"To be honest life is so much simpler now compared to when I was on television," Paolo stressed.
"I realized so many things that bothered me or pre-occupied my mind before were so trivial in nature and did not add value to my life or to those around me.
"I look back at how things were ten years ago and now I wonder, when did we start becoming so mean to each other?
"Have we always been like that and social media simply gave everyone carte blanche to be cruel on a public platform?
"Fatherhood has given me a deeper perspective of what life means.
"It has allowed me to prune myself of unnecessary and extraneous variables in my life that will cause stress and just lessen the years I have in earth.
"We pray for Patience, Gratitude, Humility, Forgiveness and Contentment. We remain on Faith Street and we try as much as possible not to veer into Doubt Avenue or Fear Blvd. so that we are always in position to receive God's blessings meant for us - no return to sender."
Marrying Lara
Meanwhile, Paolo sing praises for his partner Lara as a doting mother.
"Lara is such an incredible mother, period," he said.
"My love and respect for her has grown exponentially watching her take care of our baby and her two kids Millen and Frost and shower them with so much love and affection."
When will they formally start their family?
Paolo said, "We will be having our civil wedding first. I actually wanted to surprise her but apparently there are no surprise civil weddings haha!
"It will be very simple and solemn. After that we will legally adopt Avery as a couple so she can carry my family name."
He also assured of giving Lara her dream wedding, someday after the pandemic.
"I know Lara dreams of having a Church wedding and I will make sure that happens one day.
"Right now we all have to make sure we survive long enough to make our dreams come true.
"Lets pray for the leaders of the world and especially the leaders of our country.
"Let's continue to practice health protocols. Let us all stay safe and protected. We can overcome this pandemic together," he concluded.
Like Paolo Bediones, here are other celebrities who enjoy fatherhood:
