Why Toddler's and How's Language Coming Along

I guess I should ask if anyone has questions more often. I think it took less than an hour for someone to post one! I LOVE it!
Toddler adoption. Definite pluses to it. First off, you have a child, not a baby. A little person with an identity and a history that they remember. It may not be a history that sticks with them, but it is one that, in the immediate, they will cling to. This makes the subject of adoption and the child's history much easier to confront. There isn't a question as to when or how, it is just a given that discussion happens as language begins to develop (at least that is how we did it).
Bottles are out. Forks, spoons and knives are in. Potty training is closer to being done or you're already there. Activities are easier. Routines fit into your day a little easier (one nap instead of two). Learning is at a peak and they are able to adapt quicker than you would think to the changes that get thrown at them. Story time is in. Bath time is easy. There is more patience for hair care (someone else has already worked with their hour for hours at a time so it'll be easier for you to figure it out). No crib required. Parks are appreciated. Trikes are loved. Library's are a big hit. Music, dancing, singing... all the fun stuff is such a great thing to be able to bond with them to. There are so many things, so many reasons why toddler age children are great to bring home and don't even get me started on siblings....
I digress- The question was why toddlers and how is language coming along.
On the topic of language, usually orphanages will have toddlers in some type of classroom setting so they are learning bits of English which is helpful too. In our case, both of the girls were exposed to Sesame Street (which we LOVE) and so they understood some simple basics and we had a good foundation material to start with.
We also got a Baby Einstein video that focused on sign language. We all watched the video together at least twice a day. It entertained the girls and was a very simple and calming way to introduce more communication between us and them.
From there we just kept working forward. Reading Rainbow and Sesame street videos were next (and are still big). Leap Frog Letter and Word Factory videos are now a huge hit, but were more complicated when we first got home. I will say that it was VERY evident early on that the girls UNDERSTOOD us, but we struggled in understanding them. I think that this is typical of any child that is learning to talk, and it proved true with our girls as well.
Communication was tough, but once you get through the first few weeks, and everyone recovers a bit from the time change and the immediate family culture shock, things get easier and you learn to work together to try to figure each other out.
I can not stress enough how amazed we have been in every area of this adoption, including how quickly our girls are learning and have come to understand the routines in our home and in our society on the whole. I believe we have exceptional children anyway :), but I can't encourage any adoptive family enough, to look at toddler adoption and not be so intimidated. There are more reasons than I can even list to consider it.
I tried to post a video today, but Garrett has the camera and I only have a dinky cell phone video that I can't seem to get to work for some rediculous reason, but I'll work on it for ya so you can see how well the girls are doing.
Please, feel free to ask questions. There are so many facets to adoption that one forgets how important and complex each part of the process was. It is a good reminder for me and thanks! Keep em' coming!