I groan when my alarm summons me from slumber before eight. I stretch and remind myself family begins to arrive for the holiday today. The flashing lights on the monitor signal Liberty is awake in her room, too. I slide one foot towards the floor then another. I shiver as the warm comforter no longer protects me from the chilly air.

As I approach the door to our master suite, I call down the hall, “Libby, Mommy’s up.”

She squeals, and I hear her speak to the dogs as I ...