Snuggle-Bug

I can probably count on one hand the amount of times Eli has fallen asleep on me. Even when he was a baby he wouldn't lay his head on your shoulder to sleep or curl up in bed with anyone. In fact, in the past one of the most telling signs that Eli has been under the weather is a sudden willingness to snuggle. (The only other time I can recall is over Christmas this year when overstimulation got the best of him and he unexpectedly collapsed on me for a nap.)

Today was one of those rare occasions. Eli woke up from his nap rather early and played a little, but then he was silent again so I assumed he went back to sleep. Ten minutes later he started crying. Hard. I went into his room to find him in his crib on all fours, crying his eyes out. I picked him up and he immediately melted into me. (Again, this is NOT normal. He usually gives quick hugs or kisses and is then DONE.) I swayed back and forth for a few minutes trying to calm him, but he was burning up and very upset. Another thing Eli is not a fan of is cuddling in a chair, but I sat down anyway (my back was killing me!) and started to rock him. He still snuggled into me and eventually stopped crying. He was still warm, but after about ten minutes he felt more normal and he fell asleep on me. I could have deposited him back into his crib for the rest of his nap, but I decided to take advantage of one of the few times Eli has let me hold him and cuddle. We rocked in his chair and he slept for almost a full hour like that. These are the moments.....