Catching Up With Veronica

Hey Veronica! What have you done for us lately?

With 2005 in the books, we're starting a few new routines in the YD house, so even Veronica was assigned some responsibilities. One of them is for her to quit crying when we leave her alone in a room. So what does she think of her role in a house that's always on the go?

We asked mom to interpret for us and here's what the three-and-a-half-month-old had to say:

Have you noticed that my "big girl hair" is starting to come in?

I really like the walker that you guys got me a few weeks ago. My sisters do a good job of keeping its tray stocked with little playthings. I may not be able to pick them up yet, but they sure look interesting.

When I try to talk like everyone else, the only thing that comes out of my mouth is a cooing sound. What's the deal with that? And how come my sisters start imitating me when it happens? Don't they know they sound like babies?

I keep an eye on everything and everybody. Like dad says, you really have to watch your back around a pack of girls. Oh, I guess that includes me.

It's not that I like watching you guys eat real food. It's the chewing part that fascinates me. Did you see Julia eating that hard piece of bread without losing a tooth the other night?

How come you guys get up so darn early in the morning? I usually sleep seven hours — uninterrupted — but then dad and the girls start getting up for school. Can someone make sure I get a diaper change about that time so I can go back to bed?

So you like my "killer grip," huh? I wanted to come up with some way to live up to Olivia calling me "Vergonicka." Now that I've got a weapon to go with it, perhaps I can land a starring role in the next James Bond flick.

By the way, can someone teach me how to get that walker to go forward instead of in reverse?