Consider this a standing invitation to tea when you have a free hour. I fear I may go stir-crazy; I've little reason to leave the house now, with the holidays past. I likely should have just sent along a maid for my holiday shopping, as well, but I couldn't leave my gifts to the chance of the maid making an error. Besides, Martin's gift was a custom quill — certainly nothing one would leave in the hand of a maid.

They did indeed not have an easy youth. I can only hope I've not made things worse for the younger ones. Ariel has seemed to adapt the best. Gazardiel is young yet, but Malachai will be starting Hogwarts this September. I worry for him.

Is it typical, for an expectant woman to be so happy all the time? If past experiences are anything to judge by, I was always so exceptionally mercurial. Save with Gazardiel, with whom I spent much of my time crying in my late husband's study.