If I could just bottle this moment...

Life as we have transitioned from 4 to 5 has been more than I could have hoped and prayed for. Its been almost "easy"! There are days lacking sleep, full of timeouts and questioning whether or not my children have functioning ears ;-) But still, I couldn't be happier and freeze this moment in time. Ella and Aubrey have such an overflowing love for Ainsley, and the bond between the two of them is growing stronger and sweeter every day.

Aubrey has embraced her role of big sister with open arms. She LOVES to be a big helper. Each morning, she gets up, comes into our room and heads straight for the pack-n-play. She looks at the pile of diapers from the previous night and says "Ah, time for me to do my big helper!" Then she gathers an armful of diapers and carts them into Ainsley's room to put them in the diaper champ. Apparently I thank her with the same phrase each time, and didn't realize this until I changed up my thanks. I said "Thank you so much for helping Aubrey" to which she replied, "No, say you really appreciate it!" =)

Ella loves to help in bigger sister ways. She asked me to teach her how to pick up Ainsley, and I showed her but with very specific instructions (she can pick her up and walk from the swing to the couch or chair). When Ainsley starts fussing and I am busy, Ella will come in and ask if she can pick up Ainsley. Then I come in and find Ella "shh-ing" Ainsley, rocking her, giving her the pacifier, wiping up spit-up...she is such a wonderful mommy's helper! One of our first days home, Ella looked at Aubrey very seriously and told her "Aubrey, you need to be a good listener when I go to school on Monday because mommy doesn't need a 'not-good-listener' AND a crying baby!"

I could go on and on about this subject and how wonderful our little family is. These really are moments that Neal and I are cherishing more than words can express.

So here are some of the latest pictures of these 3 little girls that make us smile =)

**Warning--there are just a few pictures**

Bed time story 

Ella and Aubrey LOVE to be thisclose to Ainsley whenever possible! Most of the time Ainsley is a good sport ;-)

Aubrey being her usually self!

Grandpa Rick came up to meet Ainsley

And love on the other girls too!

Aubrey was trying to steal my chapstick ;-)

Poppa hanging out with Ainsley

Grandma Marian with her 3 great granddaughters

Something so sweet about a sleeping baby

Ella roller skating at her end of the year celebration.

Ella receiving her certificate at the end of 4 year old preschool with her teacher Mrs. Nolan

Ella received the "most outgoing" award for her class.
So fitting!!

Its hard to believe that tomorrow marks 4 weeks since Ainsley joined our lives. We fall more and more in love with her and Ella and Aubrey each day. God truly blessed us with the best three little girls ever!