GW

What makes a baby cry? One easy way to gather a lot of data quickly is to walk around with a screaming baby. You don't have to solicit input - it is thrust upon you.

I used to think Vivian has it easy. When she cried, I naively attributed it to one of Three Problems: I am hungry, change my diaper, or burp me - all firmly anchored deep in her GI tract.

It was little Grace who first drew my attention to the fact that the answer lay elsewhere. One day, Jo was walking around, trying to soothe a less-than-happy Vivian. Grace was following her, and spouting off suggestions. I thought she'd stop after she ran through the usual suspects. But she kept going: "Aunt Jo - you need to clip Divian's nails".

What if Divian (in Grace-ese, Vivian Bina translates approximately to Divian Peanut) has other worries besides passing gas (don't we all - even if you are a self-absorbed farter). Maybe she is upset about her finger nails. May be her left knee itches. May be it's Global Warming. There's enough reason to cry for a long time.

Vivian's cousins, Kim, Tracy, and Amy, are visiting from Nebraska (thanks for the Nebraska onesies and bibs, Aunt Anna - after the obligatory photo op, they are quietly going to Goodwill). We are enjoying breakfast at the Upper Crust. Vivian's happy. Then her face gets cloudy. She clears her throat - signs of impending trouble. Referring to global warming in adult-code, Kim warns "Don't anyone say anything about GW". Amy says "Sure - speaking of George W would upset anyone".

Vivian agrees. She likes her Nebraska cousins.