When his eyes are open just a teensy bit, is he "asleep?"

[Mashi]

This may be daft but I need to know!  When DS is on his way to sleep, after he's calmed down and his eyes have slooooowwwwly dropped down, they stop closing when they are about 2mm open. I have my hand on his chest (prop!) and his heart is still beating fast and he's still breathing fast, but he is not moving.  I'm not sure if this is REM sleep or if it's him hanging on to the final moments of awakeness.  If it's REM sleep do you count this time as time when he is "asleep" or do you wait until your LOs eyes are closed-closed? 

Cause if these "my eyes are open a teensy bit" count as sleep, then maybe my LO is not as bad of a napper as I think he is? Maybe sometimes the 30 minute naps are really 45s and the 45s are really an hour.  And if so that means MIL is right.

Please oh please oh please oh please someone tell me that my MIL is not right!   (Even if you have to lie).

[lilac83]

REM sleep is Rapid Eye Movement sleep. Are his eyes "jiggling" about? I'd say he's far into his zone but not necessarily sleeping yet. Although, my mom told me that I used to sleep with my eyes partially open. What happens if you take your hand off his chest at this point?