I think that adults and babies learn differently and therefore babies are frequently misunderstood.  Adults learn from the top down; by this I mean that we have to get the big picture or the concept behind something before we can process the details.  Babies learn from the bottom up; they gather a whole bunch of details then eventually link them together to grasp the conceptual side.  So they are memorizing words but when they get enough pieces together they will see the big picture.

Hi sdrake79,
Babies are amazing little people that possess genius beyond what most adults give them credit for.  They have the ability to learn written language at the same time they learn spoken language.  The reason why most babies don’t learn to read is because adults don’t believe they can and therefore don’t try to teach them.   The key to getting them to read is simple, just expose them to written language in such a way that they take notice. 
Here is a link where you can read about different methods used to teach babies to written language. 
http://www.brillbaby.com/teach-baby/reading.php

mooncake2,
If I didn’t answer your question in my previous post or you would like to know more details about my methods let me know.  My kids loved the powerpoint slide shows but I was overwhelmed trying to shuffle them and make new slides etc.  It’s really not optimized for this kind of use.  I’m sure LR works great; I might not have given up on slide shows if I had it.  I’m just trying to save up to buy LM right now, and can’t afford LR also.

My twins, almost 18 mo old now, are very different from each other.  It has been interesting to watch their parallel development and how they have gone in different directions.  They are just into different things, and their individual interests have really helped them refine different skills.  My boy is very kinesthetic and is usually throwing, running or climbing.  We call him spider monkey.  He destroys his toys & books and is very good at getting into very dangerous situations.  He is very innovative in how he uses toys too; everything has become a stepping stool.  He will stack things up and stand on them to reach higher and climb.  Even a doll can be dangerous when it is used like that.  So I have the choice to strip his environment of anything enriching, or let him get into danger and hope he will learn his limits before there is a really bad accident.  So while his sister was reading the “Samsung” logo yesterday he was doing his thing which impressed me as much as it scared me.  He balanced on top of a ball (bellybutton height) and used it as a step to climb up onto a window seat.  If the ball hadn’t been available he would have found some other tool to climb up there. 
It’s similar with my daughter, except instead of climbing she is into language.   She is constantly practicing talking, signing, even in the middle of the night.    One of her favorite things to do is to bring me as many books as she can carry then sit on my lap while I read or she points to pictures and I tell her what it is.  I really think that she would have read no matter which tool we provided her.  It’s just what she spends her time on. 
As for as my son reading, I’m really not concerned that he is not as advanced as she is.  I know that when he decides it is time he will be reading.  Until then I try to expose him to written language in ways he will be receptive.  For now we have settled on a combination of flashcards with ASL in a YBCR multisensory style, only a live performance staring Mom & Dad.  Some days is really into it, others he isn’t.  But is actually becoming more attentive as he gets older. 
Along the way we have tried the following:
•   Baby Signing Time & Signing Time (we still watch these if I need the distraction)
•   YBCR (we only watched for a couple weeks because I couldn’t listen to the out of tune singing anymore)
•   Flashcards (love these because they are easy to prepare)
•   PowerPoint presentations (I really don’t have the time)
•   Following with my finger as I read a book (my daughter likes this my son doesn’t)
I guess we just tried lots of things until we found what works best for everyone, and I’m sure this will change again before we are done. 
Something else I would like to bring up.  The day before my daughter read her first word, I found an ABC’s book.  We must have gone through that book 20 times.  I was expecting her to point to the pictures like she usually does, but she started pointing to the letters asking what they were.  I told her the names of the letters then she just read her first word.  She is also pointing to words today as well as pictures and letters.

Thanks for all your support!

My daughter just read her first word today!     And I’m not talking about memorizing flash cards of words she has heard me repeat several times.  This is a new word that, to my knowledge, she had never heard before.  She walked up to the TV and while reaching for the “Samsung” logo said “sams.”   I’m wondering if I should start doing some phonics with her now.

Sleepovers are always fun.  Add pizza, games and a movie.  Don't forget the cake.

I am having problems imbeding the video, here is the link
http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/entertainment/watch/v910865YY3TMwrp

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Between 0-3 months, infants make what Priscilla Dunstan calls sound reflexes.  According to Dunstan, we all have reflexes, like sneezes, hiccups, and burps, that all have a recognizable pattern when sound is added to the reflex. There are other reflexes that all babies experience, and when sound is added to these, a distinct, preemptive "cry" will occur before the infant breaks into what Dunstan calls the hysterical cry. Dunstan claims that these preemptive cries can indicate what the infant requires (e.g., food, comfort, sleep, etc.), and they escalate to the hysterical cry if they are not answered. As the infant matures past 3 months in vocalization, the sound reflexes become replaced with more elaborate babbling.

Neh: I'm hungry - An infant uses the sound reflex "Neh" to communicate its hunger. The sound is produced when the sucking reflex is triggered, and the tongue is pushed up on the roof of the mouth.

Owh: I'm sleepy - An infant uses the sound reflex "Owh" to communicate that they are tired. The sound is produced much like an audible yawn.

Heh: I'm experiencing discomfort - An infant uses the sound reflex "Heh" to communicate stress, discomfort, or perhaps that it needs a fresh diaper. The sound is produced by a response to a skin reflex, such as feeling sweat or itchiness in the bum.

Eairh: I have lower gas - An infant uses the sound reflex "Eairh" to communicate they have flatulence or an upset stomach. The sound is produced when trapped air from a belch that is unable to release and travels to the stomach where the muscles of the intestine tighten to force the air bubble out. Often, this sound will indicate that a bowel movement is in progress, and the infant will bend its knees, bringing the legs toward the torso. This leg movement assists in the ongoing process.

Eh: I have gas - An infant uses the sound reflex "Eh" to communicate that it needs to be burped. The sound is produced when a large bubble of trapped air is caught in the chest, and the reflex is trying to release this out of the mouth.

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I had some success listening for these sounds with my daughter, but my son would immediately break into the hysterical cry so I couldn’t hear these sound reflexes with him.  Dunstan also sells a DVD for $40.  From what I have read in reviews all of the good parts can be seen on the Oprah segment, so it is probably not a good investment.  It is, however, worth watching the Oprah segment which I linked above.

I amended my previous post under Glockentoddler continued... Please go back and read the bottom of the post if you haven't seen it yet.
Also I tried to record playing the Glockentoddler so you could hear, but I am having computer problems.  Hopefully my husband can get it resolved soon and I can get a decent recording.

I checked it by against a midi program & it sounded accurate to my ear (so this is only as accurate as my ear.)  I also checked the E (Mi) note against an electric guitar tuner & it was right on the mark.  That was the only note I could verify with the electric tuner as rest of the notes are in a different octave.  I also checked several reviews before buying it, because I had the same doubts, and all i could find was parise of it's accuracy. I have put my kids to bed now, I will write more later.

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Glockentoddler continued…
I wanted to also mention that this instrument is not as easy to play as it looks.  It is easy to strike the keys wrong so they don’t resonate; it takes a quick strike to make it ring (I hope this makes sense.)  I think a toddler would have a difficult time getting the tone to sound good.  Maybe they will surprise me.  The other con I have noticed is that one of the mallets is permanently bent after my twins played tug-of-war with it.  All things considered it has exceeded my expectations for an inexpensive toy.  I was happy enough with it to buy a second one, now they each have one to play with (except when one twin is hording both).
Sorry I didn’t get back sooner, it’s been one of those days.

I use tuning forks A & E to tune my guitar, I use the forks to find the note then hum it as I tune the string.  When I am playing frequently (don’t have time since having kids) I can hear these pitches in my head & can still tune if I can’t find the tuning forks.  Actually I just checked & I still remember.   I have been working on pitch with my kids recently; maybe that has something to do with it.  I learned this as an adult & I think with practice I could probably learn more notes.

[Product Features]

I use tuning forks to tune my guitar & I don't find them practical to use with babies.  I have to hit them against something hard to get them resonate then touch them to my guitar which amplifies the sound.  To hear it without the guitar it needs to be within an inch of the ear.  Babies wiggle and touch the tuning fork which stops the sound, but it is good for a giggle.  I also didn't like the idea of my kids playing with them, they just seem dangerous.
I really wanted something my kids could play with that was indestructible so I got the glockentoddler http://www.amazon.com/Sounds-Like-Fun-SLF-10005-Glockentoddler/dp/B000KRVD2M/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1239241451&sr=8-7
Product Features
Perfectly tuned
Musically correct
Brightly colored
Great musical introduction
Age: 12 months and older

The mallet is all one piece so not a choking hazard.  So far it has lasted much longer than a lot of toys do around here, and is in much better shape than the hardwood floor (my son likes to throw it & listen to the sound it makes.)  I show my kids how to play it & sing the pitches as I am playing.  It has been a month since I got it & I haven’t decided if I am happy with the purchase yet.  My kids can’t play it yet, if they learn I will be thrilled.  My daughter actually made a good attempt at playing it today.
I have also been happy with playing the computer games from the Soft Mozart website. 

What resources are out there to help teach algebra?

Babies love to feed themselves.  This http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/index.htm website has been very helpful for me, especially the part about allergies.  Sometimes babies like spicy foods, garlic, curry, Italian.  Babies also like to emulate their parents, you could also try feeding her mashed up bites from your plate.  If it is possible have her at the table with you she will feel more involved.  Rremove the highchair tray and push her up to the table with you. 
Also, loss or appetite can be a sign that your LO is not feeling well, i.e. teething or coming down with a bug.

Nikita,
My twins are about a month older than your LO and have watched many episodes of ST & BST.  My daughter has used 100+ signs and uses at least 30 different signs every day.  She spends a lot of time on language and can clearly say even more words.  I have only seen my son use about 20 signs, and maybe 10 on a regular basis, and have heard him say only about 10 words.  He is hardly interested in watching the video, signing & talking but would rather spend his time figuring out how to climb things.  Perhaps your LO is also more kinesthetic like my boy & that’s why is isn’t interested.
My son also hates being in his high chair and is so skinny because he is always running around & never eats.  We recently started using flash cards with signing at meal time & my son is very engaged.   Not only is he paying attention to the lessons but he is also eating more while learning to read & sign.  This way we also get to select words that are interesting to him.  He especially likes anything with animal sounds.     If you did something like this you wouldn’t have to have any DVD’s shipped to you.  Here are some links to a couple ASL video dictionaries on line.  If you like I can make you a list of words that work for us, let me know.
http://www.mybabycantalk.com/content/dictionary/dictionaryofsigns.aspx?letter=A
http://www.aslpro.com/cgi-bin/aslpro/aslpro.cgi

I am looking for suggestions for an inexpensive gift to bring to my neighbor boy's 3 year birthday party. His mom said he is working on fine motor skills these days. I don’t have a 3 year old yet so I’m not sure what they would like.  TIA!

My favorites (not already mentioned)
    "Is Your Mama a Llama"
    "I Love You Stinky Face"
    "My Cat Won't Eat Bananas"
    "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake"