During her 8th month, Ella’s fiery spirit continued to shine.  She even took a trip to her first dance event, Heartland Swing Festival in Des Moines, Iowa!  She had her first stomach flu, which was quite scary, but all recovered well.

She continues to feed herself, loves pinching vegetables and fruit between her fingers, and shoves anything in front of her in her mouth (including her hands).  She makes us giggle daily, and she takes us on many “walks” throughout the house!

Wearing a heartland swing shirt with her uncle Michael!

Wearing a heartland swing shirt with her uncle Michael!

Ella's first swing dance dress (the headband was flung like a frisbee a few minutes into the dance).

Ella’s first swing dance dress (the headband was flung like a frisbee a few minutes into the dance).

cutie pie!

cutie pie!

Ella swam while in the hotel for the dance event in Des Moines- happy baby!

Ella swam while in the hotel for the dance event in Des Moines- happy baby!

ready to throw down on the dance floor in Iowa!

ready to throw down on the dance floor in Iowa!

Ella pinches EVERYTHING!  even prunes!  (though this was the night that she came down with the stomach flu.  Hasn't liked prunes since...)

Ella pinches EVERYTHING! even prunes! (though this was the night that she came down with the stomach flu. Hasn’t liked prunes since…)

Sleepy baby getting better from the stomach flu

Sleepy baby getting better from the stomach flu

What a beautiful little babe

What a beautiful little babe

We continue our walks

We continue our walks

..and play peekaboo!

..and play peekaboo!

..and as we wait for teeth to come in, we gnaw on everything!

..and as we wait for teeth to come in, we gnaw on everything!