Team Kate Has Gone Ivy League!

This isn't easy.  At times it is very hard.  There are moments when I feel a wave of sadness come over me.  Like this morning, we were getting Kate ready for yet another appointment, when Grace decided to tell us in no uncertain terms that; "Kate gets to do more appointments than me and it isn't fair."  Poor Grace. We make every effort to make sure she is not feeling left out in all of this but inevitably she feels left out in some way.  I should have simply reminded her that she has her fair share of appointments too, with her asthma and heart issues. That sounds more depressing than it is. Grace is doing great. Grace adores her doctors. She assumes Kate is having the same great experiences that she has had.  I should have smiled and plugged her into the carseat but I kind of froze and felt a lump in my throat.  Alex answered her.  I am not even sure what he said because it was really not a big deal and she was pacified and the morning rolled on.  I really did quickly snap out of it but some moments trigger that reaction.  I am not even entirely sure why it made me sad.  I guess I wish that Kate did not have to go to any of these appointments.  I wish we didn't have to be reminded constantly of when Kate does not reach milestones or when she acts "differently" than kids her age.  I guess I am tired of people not seeing how amazing she is.  I am tired of worrying that people won't see her the way the members of Team Kate see her. For example, when Grace receives a birthday party invitation I sometimes wonder if Kate will be invited to parties and that feeling overtakes me again, but just for a moment.  These moments are few and far between but they are there.  Anyway, enough of that. I really started this post to point out that we are happy.  We are very happy.  And all the loyal readers of this blog (all 105 of you, I love you) might worry because I tend to vent on here.  I wanted to reassure you all that we are good.  We are really, very good.  I follow only one blog religiously; Rockstar Ronan.  It keeps my priorities in check and reminds me daily that we are so lucky. Check out that blog and then try and feel sorry for yourself.  So, I wanted to take the time to point out some good things that are happening for Team Kate.  Alex is getting things done at a record pace.  He makes things happen.  He is on top of all of Kate's therapies and appointments.  He is in contact with everyone regularly and keeps us all organized and connected.  If Team Kate was a baseball team (and those who know me are not surprised at the baseball reference) I would call him the manager.  That makes Grace the captain, Katie the Ace and could I please, please be the closer?! Anyway, here is what is up.  I wondered one day, a few weeks back, about where the best minds in autism research would be.  Two places came to mind; Harvard and Yale.  Right?!  Is that what came to your mind too? So, I took a page out of Alex's book and made contact with both and asked "What can you do for Team Kate?"  Alex, has a way of asking people what they can do for him and they usually thank him for it.  I knew it couldn't hurt to try.  I talked to some amazing people and things are happening.  I will say more when I know more, but just know, Team Kate has gone IVY LEAGUE!  As many of you know we enjoy spending time in Boston.  Grace, at four, has already been to two Red Sox games, so if our journey takes us down that way we'll feel right at home.  Maybe I should have Alex contact the Red Sox and ask them what they can do for Team Kate? Hell, why not.  I was going to post the driver's license picture Alex had taken today because it is really bad.  It made me laugh out loud at work.  But, I'll be kind and post this instead: 

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