What? It’s been a while since I posted? Never mind that. Look over here! It’s a shiny, cute baby story to read about.
Little C is an affectionate little boy. Though he loves to run and play and explore and pretty much cause trouble all day, he is a hugging, cuddly, not-so-little baby. He laughs when he’s squeezed in a tight hug. He asks to be picked up, if only for a second, so he can pat you on the arm, which is his version of a hug. C also gives big sloppy kisses, smushing my face between his tiny, little hands and pulling me towards him to lay one on me. It’s wonderful and wet!
Lately C has been exploring a more primal source of affection: the head nuzzle. C prefers the nuzzling that involves bringing our two heads together. I love it. It’s maybe my favorite form of affection.
Though I enjoy the feeling of C’s little arms wrapped around me or the strange way he rubs my forearm as he’s falling asleep. When C rests his head on my shoulder, there are times I think I may melt into a puddle of love and happiness. But there is something about bringing our heads together into a nuzzle or a bump that answer a call deep in my heart. There is something very instinctive about it, something that defines it as soothing to the soul.
It can be seen everywhere from wild animals on the savannah to the traditional greeting of the Maori (called Hongi) to happy parents and children everywhere.
In my opinion, the Hongi, which requires the participants to touch noses together, best captures the wonder of this gesture in that it is specifically meant to share “the breath of life.” As the participants press their heads and noses together their breath is intermingled, mixing the essence of each together until they are inseparable. I think this must be why it is such a universal, and such a universally enjoyable, expression of affection as we all long to express our unity with those we love.
Cheetahs nuzzle, but they're too fast to catch in the act of the head bump!
Lions in love
Children saying hello, though one looks more satisfied than the other.
Mama and Baby Nuzzling
So why bring this up, other than the fact that it’s adorable? Because for the last week or so, C has really amped up his nuzzling. It has gone from the occasional Hongi to a full-fledged rubbing of his head and face all over mine. It’s laughable and adorable all at once.
Take today, for example. As I was attempting to talk to my real estate agent about showings for the week, my shy boy spent the entire conversation rubbing the top of his head all over my face, under my chin, and into my collar-bone. C didn’t want to interact with the real estate agent, nor did he, apparently, want me to. And though I really did want to have an important conversation with my agent, I swept into the moment of this overwhelming display of affection that I simply lost track of what she was saying.
Rather than try to pick it up again, I bent my forehead to meet my son’s. I closed my eyes and took one very long, deep breath in and out, savoring the moment, drinking in his sweet breath.
[...] Heads together June 2010 3 [...]