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 await her arrival.
“Hola, Mommy,” she greets. I groan internally that she’s a morning person.
“Come shower with me,” I invite, and she runs past me towards my bathroom. She enjoys standing on the shower seat while I use the hand-held nozzle to clean her. I’m nervous to leave her unsupervised and usually speed through my showers. Today, I need to enjoy the warm shower spray before my busy day begins. I turn on the water to heat while I place my robe and towels just outside the shower for us.