Soph/Fia.

We have a strange phenomenon in our house. I wouldn't try to simplify it by calling it "multiple personality disorder", or "schizophrenia"-rather, maybe, some sort of paranormal event that happens on occasion when the planets are aligned a certain way, (or perhaps when our middle daughter hasn't had enough SLEEP...) or the moon is in a certain stage...

I call this phenom the appearance of FIA.

Sophia- or SOPH as she is generally known, is a very sweet, fun-loving little lady. Yes, she has more sass in her than most four year olds (it can't be easy being the only female triplet AND the middle daughter...)- she holds her own pretty well with the brothers.

But sometimes, we find that our sweet little Soph has been replaced by the maniacal and completely irrational FIA. Fia is not a popular person around the Jones house. She has been known to create some substantial messes- usually involving water, fingernail polish or lip gloss, pen or crayon, make-up on occasion... and Fia ALWAYS heralds her appearance with a monster-sized fit.

We have learned to be patient with Fia. At times, she needs to cool off in her room for a bit and take a breather. Sometimes, when we ask Fia where Soph went, we find that Soph wasn't far and she's more than happy to find her way back. In fact, in a conversation I had with SOPH the other day, I found out that Fia often appears "when I don't get enough attention". (How's that for perceptive!)

It isn't easy to be pulled five directions and try to meet everyone's emotional needs- but we do the best we can and I don't think that the occasional visit from Fia will leave any lasting damage on anyone (well, unless you count the HOUSE...).

We are so blessed to have our little Sophie- even when Fia rears her mischievous head. I can't imagine our family without her.