ANCHORAGE -- The 19-year-old father of Gov. Sarah Palin's first grandson says he doesn't have a steady job, but knows he could take care of his baby son.

In an interview broadcast Thursday on CBS's "The Early Show," Levi Johnston said he speaks frequently with his son's mother, ex-fiancee Bristol Palin, the governor's 18-year-old daughter. The former couple's son, Tripp, was born Dec. 27.

Johnston says their conversations aren't chatty. He's just checking on how Tripp is doing. "But we don't really sit there and talk, like, how you been? I mean, she's real short with me," Johnston said.

Johnston, his mother and sister appeared in the two-part interview together. In the first part, broadcast Wednesday, Johnston complained he doesn't get enough time alone with his son.

In the second, the Johnstons said they hope Levi can work out a custody agreement with Bristol.

Johnston said that during his three-year relationship with Bristol, he felt like part of her family. Sarah Palin's high-profile run for vice president changed his relationship with Bristol, he said.

"And we just weren't seeing eye to eye with each other anymore and I thought it would be best that we -- we both did -- break up for a little bit and see what happens," he said.