I really can't think of anything original to say, because it's all probably been phrased in many different ways by the other readers, so let me just say congratulations to you and Sheryl! Michael's a beautiful boy and I'm sure he will bring both of you much joy throughout the years. I'm very happy for you!!!

The Reelthoughts that I like the most are the ones like these, the personal ones. The "1980's" series and the "My Life as a Geek" Reelthoughts are a good read too.

FWIW, I was raised multilingually ("English" and German) and would recommend it to anyone. It's completely natural to a child (supposedly people were "amazed" to see me speak to both parents, but switch languages depending on whom I was speaking to) and apart from the obvious benefit it also makes it easier to learn other languages later on (when I finally started Spanish I was surprised to find similar words/pronunciations. I can also read about 30% of the Dutch language despite never having studied it).

Just make sure he knows the language before he turns twelve. That's when the somethingsomething (maybe neuron) in the brain hardens and it becomes harder to learn a second language.

I'm not sure of the age, but I think it's common knowledge by now that children learn languages much faster than adults do.

Noam Chomsky defined the theory of a "language acquisition device" which is blank at birth and gets parameterized when children hear languages.
But I think Generative Grammar theory went a bit overboard with the idea. I once read in a book by Steven Pinker that this parameterization leads to either pre-position or post-position in the language and there was nothing in between. His examples where English (prepositions and adjectives before the noun) and Japanese (postpositions and adjectives after the noun; I have to take his word for it, because my Japanese grammar is non-existent).
The problem is that we have the following in German:
* Preposition ("Peter ist in dem Haus.")
* Postposition ("Ich tue das dir zuliebe.")
* Circumposition ("Die Katze schlich um das Haus herum.")

But theory aside, I think it's a good idea for children to learn two languages if the parents are two different native speakers. It's a real advantage because they are able to deal with certain grammatical intricacies automatically without having a hard time of learning them. Also the more languages you know already, the easier it is to pick up new ones.
You have to keep in mind, though, that there seem to be two types of people that were brought up with two languages. One will be able to switch between languages in the blink of an eye and also be able to translate from one language to the other, and the second one will be fluent in both languages but have a hard time translating the languages because they seem to be handled differently in the brain.

To cut a long story short, go for it, but be prepared that your child will mix vocabulary of the two languages in the beginning. But that will sort itself out soon enough. Also from my experience those kids will tend to prefer the language with the easier grammar.

Observing a child that is learning a language is also very interesting from a linguist's point of view. Children pick up regularities with dead-on precision, which leads to funny results when they try to use verbs that we know to be irregular.
Also my niece didn't say "fish" at first but "bish". It could be pure chance, but it reminded me that the Greek word is "piscis" (spelling might be wrong, as I don't know any Greek) and the "p" transformed to an "f" during the First Germanic Sound Shift, which is also know as Grimm's Law.

I'll have to stop now, otherwise too many readers will fall asleep in front of their computers.
(Remember: The most important thing after the Escape-key is the keyboard-airbag!)

Congratulations James,

Having three kids myself, I can confirm that the process of birth is more of a landmark moment than really a happy one. But watching those little cuddles of flesh grow up is one of the most rewarding things in a lifetime. The unconditional love of a baby for its parents is very touching. The first sign of recognition, the first smile, the first words,...all of those little things will make the birth of your son a happy moment in hindsight.
I wish you and your family many of those small happy moments.

Wouter from Belgium

Congratulations James.

I just finished watching THE GODFATHER and PART II on Blu before I read this, so, James, your son's name is kind of... chilling me to the bone right now. Just saying.

Sounds like you'd give this birth 3 stars. Or is that 3-and-a-half?

Belated congratulations!

This is coming much belated...so be it.

Many congratulations on Michael Robert and the health of your family. So awesome to hear your thoughts on the whole...um, ordeal? In reality...that's how it goes, you think it one way, and it goes a whole different direction. It makes life fun...or something.

Okay, look, I'm rambling. Seriously, hope all keeps going well with the newest. I'm just hoping you sneek him in somehow in future reviews and ReelThoughts. Love to hear how he and the family are progressing.

Best wishes and God bless.

ram1312

Hopefully she won't "pull him back in"

Not sure in which other forum or thread to post this but it seems sort of relevant anyway.

Yesterday (6th October 2010) I became a dad to a 6lb 9oz baby girl who will most likely be named Faith. I detect the purchasing of many Disney dvds in the years to come!

Ah yeah! Congrats man.

And may she not be as hairy as the father.

Congratulations! And may those Disney DVD purchases exclude b-listers like Melody Time and Make Mine Music and other dubious "classics".

+1

Welcome to the world, little Faith. You'll like the place, I think. Go easy on your Dad. He's a good guy.

Name her Leia, you know you want too!

Not heard of them thankfully!

Thanks Ed, you're a gent!

Sadly I was prevented by my gf from suggesting names that were obviously lifted from the likes of LOTR and the Harry Potter saga (no Hermiones or Arwyns) or WOW or anything nerdy, no matter how much we both like it. That includes Star Wars I'm afraid!