Entertainment TV Gia Giudice Wishes Mom Teresa a Smiley 'Welcome Back' After Prison Release Andy Cohen and several costars joined Teresa's oldest daughter in welcoming the Real Housewives of New Jersey star home on Wednesday By Lanford Beard Lanford Beard Lanford Beard has been with PEOPLE since 2015. In addition to serving as the Senior Digital TV Editor, she has edited for Lifestyle and News verticals across the site. Lanford previously worked at Entertainment Weekly, NBC News and Ralph Lauren, to name a few. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Middlebury College and a Master's of Science degree from Columbia University's School of Journalism. People Editorial Guidelines Published on December 23, 2015 10:15 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Just like her mom, Gia Giudice couldn’t be happier that Teresa Giudice is home for Christmas. The teen took to Twitter Wednesday morning to wish her mom a short, sweet “welcome back.” Gia notably stepped up during her mother’s time in prison, saying on the premiere of the Teresa Checks In special: “I try my best just to keep it all together.” Teresa’s sister-in-law Melissa Gorga added of her niece’s resilience: “She’s doing a very good job of being positive. I think they’re doing an unbelievable job of keeping things normal.” Gorga also tweeted a welcome home message, and a source told PEOPLE the two women’s families will spend Christmas Eve together. Bravo head Andy Cohen likewise posted a brief “Welcome home, Teresa!” on Twitter Wednesday for Teresa, whom he interviewed with Joe shortly before she reported to prison. Teresa, 43, was released from the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, at 5:01 a.m. Wednesday morning after serving nearly a year for fraud charges, and sources told PEOPLE this week that she was “beyond excited” to return to husband Joe and her four daughters: Gia, Gabriella, Milania and Audriana. “Teresa was smiling when she emerged,” a source said at the time of the Real Housewives of New Jersey star. “She was wearing all black and looked happy.” “Prison was tough for her,” added the source, “but she made the best of it.” Perhaps in the spirit of learning from the past and moving forward, Teresa’s RHONJ costar Jacqueline Laurita posted her own optimistic post on Instagram just hours before Teresa’s release: “A new chapter of life for you, begins today. Say goodbye to the past and for the future, pave the way. Full of happy anecdotes, let a new story unfold. Smile, laugh, share and cry … be carefree and bold.” Laurita, 45, and Teresa had a notable up-and-down relationship on RHONJ, though this latest post could signal renewed friendship and well-wishing in the new year. And another RHONJ star Amber Marchese – who has been blogging about her second battle against cancer exclusive for PEOPLE – similarly shared the good will on Twitter, writing in response to a fan: “God bless. I am very happy for the Teresa and her family. #ChristmasMiracles”