The sacred snuggling hours

We had a first today, though I guess it really started last night.

Eli was diagnosed with Bronchitis the day after Tim, they both did their antibiotics simultaneously and finished last week. Since he has finished, we've still been watching closely as Eli has had a very low grade temp. All the swine flu scare going around, I guess.

Tim was working, so Eli and I headed upstairs. Only last night, instead of the rocker, where we have rocked to sleep, or at least calm, since he came home, he wanted to lay on the big bed in the room and snuggle before I tucked him in.

With me.

For several minutes.

Yeah!! I never thought I would have him want to do that!!

So today the day starts out like any other. He's a little more whiny, but not too bad. Lunch time came around and Tim came home as we were finishing lunch... When I realized he was acting really sleepy and had only eaten a few bites of lunch, which is super unusual for him.

He was laying his head over on me and his eyes were really droopy. And then, my little guy who has been fighting naps with everything he has in him, and struggling to stay awake now for several months during nap time, meekly said he wanted me to come up and cuddle with him and he wanted to take a nap.

So, up we went. Oh how incredibly wonderful it felt to have his sweet little body laying on me as he totally relaxed and fell asleep. I've heard others talk about the precious weight of their child on their chest, slumbering softly as you feel each breath and watch them rise with yours.

I lay there in one part of my mind basking in this brand new experience, the other praying fervently for this sweet little very hot body laying on me to cool down and feel better.

After putting him down in his crib and sneaking downstairs for a few minutes, he started crying for me. He wanted to be with me, snuggling on the big bed for his nap. So we lay down for a few more minutes and then he decides it is time to wake up. "Wake up time", he announces, as he jumps up and turns off the fan and turns on the light.

So downstairs we go, and a few minutes later he comes over to me and wants to be held.

By me.

And then he puked. All over the two of us. And puked again, and again, and again. Poor little guy!! Thank you God for a husband with a strong stomach who could clean up the floor while Eli and I got cleaned up!!

The praying was pretty intense over the next several hours. He didn't want me to leave his side. His fever soared to 101.3 and he lay listless and lethargic, only wanted me to hold and at least touch him if he wasn't in my arms. What a scary time!! Several changes of clothing, blankets and towels later, I held him close praying he would keep down the tylenol I finally was able to get up and give to him. He fell asleep in my arms and I just held and prayed for this little boy acting so abnormally in my arms. I don't like him being sick!!

And then, suddenly, about 7pm, he gets up and says he is hungry and wants to eat with us. I was rather concerned- since he was even puking up the gatorade we were giving him. But he sat and ate some saltines, drank some more diluted gatorade and acted as if nothing was wrong.

AKA he no longer really wanted anything to do with me ~ *grin* lol. So, I guess we moms enjoy the snuggling while we can, praying for it to end quickly so our little tykes can be healthy and "normal" again, cherishing being able to love our child freely without them pulling away from us.

Thank you God for such a speedy answer to prayers!!

I am thanking God now, Eli just went to sleep. I'm praying that we are over it all- and that tomorrow will find us all in the pink of health!!

So, good night to all!!