A typical 3-year-old the "experts" say

After a child reaches 3 years of age, the public school system is supposed to provide services such as SLP, OT, and PT. Ayinde had to go through a battery of tests, including an educational screening for special education. On August 13, 2009, the final reports were in and Ayinde did not qualify. Normally, "not qualifying" is a bad thing. But in this case, it was joyous. It meant that he was a typical 3-year-old, despite his entering the world too early. It meant that I could breathe a sigh of relief. Now I could focus on the business of continuing to homeschool him and not worry that I wouldn't be able to provide for his needs. His learning style is definitely Montessori. He's a hands-on kind of child. He likes to work with purpose and accomplish things. My sisterfriend calls Ayinde "scrappy." Yep, that's my baby. He's going to "get it done," especially if you take too long doing it for him. He reminds me of my husband in that respect ... just like his dad, he's a "can do kind of child." Bravo to you Ayinde, my quiet warrior. I love you!

My Montessori Child

It has been shamefully long since I last updated this blog. Life's circumstances have kept me busier that I would like. In the meantime, my baby has been growing into a truly unique person all his own. Despite all of the developmental tests that say he is speech delayed, Ayinde is talking up a storm. I will be curious to see what the therapist says at his very first speech appointment at Howard University. The circle of life is bringing my baby and me back to my Alama Matter. Anyway, as I toyed with the idea of sending Ayinde to school to receive services that I seemed unable to get any other way, my homeschool community surrounded me with love, support and common sense. They only confirmed what I felt after visiting childcare centers and preschools. Ayinde is not ready and home is where he needs to be in a loving environment where he can explore and be a child. Ayinde is a driven, purposeful, busy little tinkerer. Circle time, reading groups and standing in line would probably work for a week or two and then I'd probably start getting those calls. I spoke with a friend last night who said that her 3yo son was kicked out of preschool and suspended for one month from pre-k. What kind of world do we live in? Guess what, the dear child's birthday is 5 days before Ayinde's April 25th birthday. Yep, a fellow Taurian -- determined and stubborn at times. She said her son was having trouble with "transitions." That's teacher code word for "stop what you are doing and move on to what I have for you to do next." I like about the Montessori approach. Let the child become as absorbed as long as the interest is there. So my second journey down this road (I did the same thing with my older son Zion) has led me back to homeschooling Ayinde too. I have found some alternative programs, such as half day co-ops, parent/child Montesori program (1 day a week) and Waldorf parent/child preschool. All of the programs give Ayinde the best of both worlds. An opportunity to learn and grow with other children and be at home with mom where he wants and needs to be. Yes, it's a financial sacrifice. But he will never be 2, 3 or even 4 years old again. I'm trusting God to provide our needs and lead me in the right financial direction.

I love watching Ayinde. He's amazingly resourceful and independent. He finds a way to get what he wants. He knows how to find the screw driver and batteries when his toys need replacements. He knows how to seek and find his favorite vitamins. He loves to cook. He loves the skateboard. And he is obssesed with the violin. Yes, I still give praises that he came!

I Run This Joint!

Ayinde has taken over. There used to be a time when I had to run into the bedroom when he woke up in the morning. Not anymore! He dives off of the bed onto a futon landing right beside the bed. Crawls into the living and starts his morning routine:

1. Pull all of the books within my reach off of the bookshelf.

2. Pull all of the rap cds off the shelf (since they are at my level).

3. Dump all of the remotes out of the basket into the floor.

4. Empty all of the colored pencils, crayons and markers on the floor.

5. Knock everything off of the desk into the floor while mommy holds me in her lap and tries to check her e-mail.

6. If Zion happens to be playing playstation, pull the plug just as he is about to score on his basketball game (oh, that's lots of fun).

"Whew, that was a lot of work. Now I'm ready for breakfast and then my morning nap."

Climbing Mt. Everest at Aunty Teresa's house

It seems I know every developmental milestone this time around. With Zion everything just flowed naturally. With a preemie, you watch everything. So imagine my astonishment when never having seen a set of stairs Ayinde proceeded to ascend with the ease of an old pro. His Godbrother Alan watched protectively.

Happy Birth Day Ayinde - April 25, 2007

It's difficult to believe it's been a year already. Ayinde has come so far and accomplished so much. He's had surgeries and been hospitalized for pneumonia, yet he is filled with joy. Each morning he awakens it seems as if he says, "nothing is going to steal my joy." Each day that I look into his eyes I know that I am blessed beyond measure and that God is so good. Ayinde was not crawling at his development evaluation on 4-18-07. Soon after, it's like he said, "I'll show them who's in charge." And he started pulling himself and in a week or two he was crawling, right on time for his adjusted age. In God's time, not their time he said. Happy Earth Day Baby! We celebrated with a vegan cupcake from Sticky Fingers bakery.

Green Feet!

Today Ayinde did "foot painting" with Mrs. Vonita Swan, his Early Head Start Teacher from the Rosemount Center. She said most babies usually cry when their feet touch a new texture, but Ayinde started drooling and laughing. He really enjoyed it. His big brother Zion even joined in on the fun.

Walk before you Crawl?

Who can be sad when a baby is in the midst. Ayinde may skip over crawling just like his brother. He has turned his bouncy seat into a walker. Early on Zion fell on the bouncy seat and bent the bar that held the toys. Ayinde liked it much better that way because he could see and kick the toys. Now he's using the bar to hold him as he walks around. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen. Those sweet little toes propelling him backwards. Zion never crawled either. He got around on his hands and feet. Oh, and Ayinde is finally getting a little 'fro! Around these parts we are HAPPY TO BE NAPPY!