We made our way through the throngs of shoppers outside the American Girl Store on Michigan Avenue in Chicago and headed inside. We had already journeyed by car (2 hours), by train (1 hour) and by taxi (15 minutes). As soon as we sat down for a very special American Girl birthday lunch in the very special American Girl Cafe I saw Lyric's face and my heart sank. Oh no. I made a horrible mistake by bringing her here.

The crowds. The train. The buildings. It was just too much.

"Do the people in Chicago speak English?" she asked.

I squeezed her shoulder and prayed the world around her would quiet just a bit. "Yes, baby, they speak English." I stroked her hair, squeezed her leg and prompted her when the party guests spoke to her. I knew she needed to pull herself together. By dessert she was all smiles and back to her singing self.

Unsure how comfortable she would be tackling more of the city I let her make the call. "Do you want to go back and wait for the train or would you like to go ride the Ferris Wheel and play in the fountain?" I asked. "Ferris Wheel! Ferris Wheel! Play in the Fountain!" So off we went.

I watched her play in the fountain outside Navy Pier and for the first time in I don't know how long (ever?) I let her squeal and flap her arm and clap in that unnatural way you'll sometimes see or hear someone with autism.I always tell her to stop - but out here...in the sunshine...in the middle of this monstrous city...I let Lyric be Lyric and I fell even more in love with the pure joy that came from her.